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Have you tried Japanese nori seaweed before? Maybe you thought it was just that green seaweed stuff that you find on the beach, but nori seaweed is actually edible and delicious. It’s packed with umami flavor, is salty, and has a pleasant taste reminiscent of the ocean. These days, nori is not only enjoyed as a wrapping for Japanese sushi rolls or a topping for rice, it is also commonly added to Japanese snacks, too! If you love salty and savory snacks, you have to try nori snacks!
How we decided
Below are our top recommendations for Japanese nori snacks that you can try at home – no cooking or preparation required!
Our recommendations
J Taste Norimaki Arare Nori Seaweed Rice Crackers
J Taste Norimaki Arare Nori Seaweed Rice Crackers are the ultimate rice cracker snack - they combine a tasty blend of crunchy soy sauce-flavored rice crackers and savory nori seaweed. Made with Japanese sticky glutinous rice and real shoyu soy sauce, these crackers have a satisfying crunch. Available in both 3-pack and 10-pack options, we're sure once you try these arare rice crackers, you'll be hooked!
Pros
- Baked not fried
- Crunchy texture
- Made with real soy sauce
Cons
- Small portion
- Easy to keep eating
Masuya Onigiri Senbei Rice Crackers
Japanese senbei are a type of rice cracker made by baking rice flour dough with sugar and soy sauce. They can be sweet or savory in taste, baked or fried, and are mostly made with a type of non-glutinous Japanese short-grain rice called uruchimai. Senbei have a long history in Japan, dating as far back as the 8th century. These onigiri senbei from Masuya are triangle shaped like the rice ball and are flavored with soy sauce and shredded nori seaweed to create a crunchy snack.
Pros
- Traditional flavor
- Light and crispy
- Unique shape
Cons
- Light seasoning
- Simple taste
Daiko Noriten Wasabi Tempura Seaweed Snack
These light and crispy treats combine the flavor of wasabi with nori to create an addictive and flavorful snack. Other flavors within Daiko’s range of nori snacks include nori and salt, nori and soy sauce, nori and red pepper, and nori with lemon. Their snacks are available to purchase in different sizes too, from individual bags to packs of 10.
Pros
- Bold wasabi flavor
- Crispy texture
- Variety of flavors
Cons
- Strong wasabi kick
- Slightly rich
Kanro Nori Seaweed Chips with Wasabi Crumbs
This healthy snack from Kanro is made by baking seaweed from Japan’s Ariake Sea with wasabi grains and seaweed salt. This tasty treat can also be eaten guilt-free as each packet contains only 12 calories!
Pros
- Low calorie
- Light and crispy
- Clean ingredients
Cons
- Small portion
- Not very filling
Kameda Noripea Pack Nori Seaweed Rice Cracker & Peanut Snack
This is a mixed snack that includes rice crackers wrapped with nori seaweed and roasted peanuts. The rice crackers are seasoned with soy sauce and a splash of dashi stock while peanuts are simply roasted and lightly salted. The nori seaweed adds a nice crunch, along with an extra umami flavor that pairs perfectly with the rice crackers and peanuts.
Pros
- Sweet and savory mix
- Crunchy texture
- Satisfying combo
Cons
- Contains peanuts
- Slightly filling
Befco Seto Shio Senbei Rice Crackers
These fried rice crackers come in an assortment of flavors including shrimp, salted nori seaweed, and salted yuzu citrus. The luxurious fried rice crackers are made using three kinds of seaweed to create a crispy snack that melts in your mouth.
Pros
- Deep umami flavor
- Crispy texture
- Flavor variety
Cons
- Rich taste
- Easy to overeat
Calbee Norishio Salted Seaweed Potato Chips
The thinly sliced chips have a crispy texture and light mouthfeel. These potato chips are seasoned with salt and two seaweeds - aonori (green laver) and aosa (sea lettuce), which go excellently with the chips' texture.
Pros
- Light and crispy
- Balanced flavor
- Easy to eat
Cons
- Light texture
- Addictive snack
Have you tried nori in snacks yet? If you love salty, umami-packed bites, explore even more flavors and textures. And don't miss out on our Ultimate Guide to Japanese Snacks with 50 sweet, savory, and healthy picks!
