20 Best Tried and True Japanese Rice Crackers in 2023 (Kameda Seika, Echigo Seika, 7 Eleven, and More)

Kameda Seika's Happy Turn rice crackers aren't the best representation of the traditional rice cracker, but they are absolutely the most delicious ones we tried in our test. These snacks are covered in what Kameda Seika calls "Happy Powder" that perfectly balances sweet and salty.

It goes without saying, but the "Happy Powder," with its comforting sweetness and saltiness is the prime reason for its high praise amongst our testers, who commented, "Once you try it, you can't stop eating it" and "It's highly addictive”.

They're not quite hard enough nor have the fragrance usually found in rice crackers, but they make a perfect snack. We think people of all ages will enjoy these. But beware: they really are addictive!

If you're looking for rice crackers to snack on, this is definitely a product to consider!

What stands out about Amanoya's Kabuki-age rice crackers is its subtle, delicious, sweet, and salty soy sauce flavoring. 

Though it looks hard in terms of texture, it's actually quite soft, with a crispy exterior contrasted by a softer interior. It melts in the mouth as well, meaning it doesn't feel that heavy, despite them being fried. Some of our Japanese testers who haven't had Kabuki-age in a while were taken aback at how soft they were.

This rice cracker in particular has been a bestseller in Japan for ages. We'd recommend these to those who want to eat something sweet, soft, and mild.

Kameda seika's Kakinotane rice cracker snacks are almost synonymous with the modern-day Japanese drinking experience. 

Biting into each crunchy piece releases a burst of roasted soy sauce flavor in your mouth followed by just a hint of spice. Eating them together with peanuts brings out both its spiciness and its mellow flavors.

The peanuts included in each pack help cut some of that spice, but there are packages available without peanuts if you have an allergy, as well as other flavors like wasabi and ume-shiso (plum and perilla).

What we liked most about Sanko Seika's Okaki Mochi rice crackers is the fact that the more we munched, the more flavor flooded into our mouths. 

Its delicate balance of soy sauce, sesame, and seaweed tasted perfect to us. If you're looking for a flavorful rice cracker with some crunch, this is a great candidate to consider.

Our testers liked how crunchy it was, commenting that it would pair nicely with some alcohol.

If you want a snack that tastes and smells exactly like shrimp, Kameda Seika's Tsu no Yakiebi is the rice cracker for you. Don't let their thin appearance fool you; they're actually packed with flavor. 

The shrimp taste is balanced with an equally salty taste, giving you a savory seafood experience. Our testers commented on the flavor, noting "it's almost like I'm eating real shrimp" and that "the authenticity of the fragrance is on a different level".

We also liked that it came in small packages for easy transportation and sharing.

Since 1986, Kameda Seika's Pota Pota Yaki rice crackers have tickled the taste buds of Japanese people with a sweet soy sauce flavor that's to die for. It's also covered with coarse sugar for added sweetness, yet the texture is still fairly soft.

The only thing we found disappointing about this snack is that the flavor is only coated on one side of the cracker. We think this is a great rice cracker for kids, especially since it contains no MSG!

There are a lot of cheese-flavored rice crackers in Japan, but 7-Eleven Japan's cheese rice crackers in particular are rich in cheese flavor. 

What's more, they're balanced out with a sweet soy sauce taste that makes them extra addictive. The fragrance of cheddar cheese fills the mouth, followed by a rich and sweet soy sauce flavor, creating a unique taste.

These bite-sized snacks are great for cheese lovers to take on the go or pair with alcohol.

We liked this pack of 12 Kameda Seika Ebi Nori Arare rice crackers because it contained a mix of two flavors: shrimp salad and seaweed with soy sauce. Of the two, we'd say the shrimp salad is the stronger one, which means the seaweed is great for balancing it out. 

Each piece is smaller in size, but they pack a punch in flavor, with a crisp and crunchy texture that makes them hard to stop eating. If you're feeling a bit peckish, these snacks will tide you over.

The moment you open Sanko Seika's Shrimp Rice Crackers, the scent of shrimp and salt wafts up into your nostrils. Their soft texture makes them easy to eat, so it's easy to eat a whole pack before you even realize it. 

Since we found the salty taste is slightly stronger than its shrimp flavor, we'd recommend these snacks for those who want just a touch of shrimp.

These fragrant and crunchy black bean rice crackers are a great snack to pair with a cup of green tea. 

In terms of fragrance, our testers liked this one the most, noting that just one bite was enough to envelop their mouths with the fragrance of black beans. While the sticky soy sauce coating tends to latch onto your teeth, the slight bitterness of the black beans wins out for an excellent flavor balance.

If you're looking for a black bean-flavored cracker, this is our top recommendation.

Though Sanko Seika's Yakiebi Rice Crackers have a strong initial shrimp flavor, there's no lingering aftertaste. We also liked that it's thin but not too thin, and this gives it a nice crisp. 

The salty accents also help to make it a refreshing snack. If you're looking for a crisp shrimp-flavored snack, consider Yakiebi Rice Crackers.

This is for fans of umeboshi, or pickled plums. Each snack is wrapped in a thin layer of seaweed that seems like it will dominate the flavor of the cracker, but eventually, the ume flavor kicks in to balance it out. 

If you want a light and crunchy cracker that ends on a slightly sour note, this is a great candidate to consider.

Each bag of a Bakauke Rice Cracker Assortment contains 5 types of rice crackers (cream of corn soup, seaweed and soy sauce, sesame and soy sauce, cheese, and mild curry) that are coated evenly and deliciously with flavor. 

While each piece isn't that large, each one packs a punch. With 5 bags of 8 pieces, they also make a great snack. If you're looking for a good sampler of rice crackers, we'd recommend this.

Kameda Seika's Potapota Yaki is a long-selling product in Japan, first released in 1986 and has become a staple rice cracker.

Coated in a moderately sweet and savory soy sauce flavor, this rice cracker is sure to get your appetite going. The sugar coating is similar in texture to granulated sugar and adds a nice texture. Unfortunately, only one side of the rice cracker is flavored, so it might leave you wanting more.

It has a soft, crispy, and light texture. Additionally, it's free of artificial flavors, making it great for kids, too!

These salty rice crackers are drizzled with a sweet whipped cream sauce made from Hokkaido milk. 

They're more on the sweeter side, so we'd recommend these crackers for those with a sweet tooth. However, the sweetness tends to linger in the mouth, so some might find that off-putting. We think you'll find their large size to be both filling and satisfying.

This adorable star-shaped rice cracker definitely tastes like rice with just a slightly salty seasoning. Each cracker is soft yet crisp at the same time. On top of that, it has a light texture that melts in your mouth.

While adults may be left wanting more in terms of flavor, it's the perfect balance for kids or those looking for a light snack.

Masuya's Onigiri Rice Crackers are shaped like onigiri rice balls and are flavored with a mixture of aged soy sauce and seaweed flakes. 

While we wished the flavor were a bit stronger, we liked how their softness made them easy to eat. We think these would be best suited for those looking for a rice cracker with a mild flavor.

Kameda Seika's Curry Rice Crackers are an Indian curry-flavored snack with a distinct spicy kick. Considering their softness and signature flavor, they almost don't feel like a rice cracker (but we're not complaining).

The only downside to these delicious bites is that they're not individually packaged, so once you open a pack, there's no going back. If you're looking for a salty and flavorful snack to go with your drink, this is an excellent choice.

Usuyaki rice crackers—especially the salad flavor—give you a salty and crispy experience that will make it hard to stop eating.

While its strong saltiness may not be great for those with sensitive tongues, most will love how many rice crackers come in a single pack. If you're looking for a filling snack, put Usuyaki on your shopping list.

Iwatsuka Seika's Black Bean Rice Crackers are hard rice crackers made with black beans and offer a wonderfully fragrant taste.

The beans add a unique layer of texture to the rice crackers, keeping things interesting. However, to make the most of the fragrance of the black beans, the rice crackers themselves weren't heavily seasoned, being just lightly salted.

This rice cracker is perfect for those who want a product that makes use of the flavors of its ingredients, but not the best for those who want something with stronger flavors.