
*** The following was written by our chip-loving Japanese reporter equipped with a fighting spirit and an English dictionary. Please enjoy her top ten ranking of the best potato chips in Japan. ***
What is your favorite potato chips? Lay’s classic? Ruffles BBQ? Or Pringles hot & spicy? You might stick to your favorite one for refreshment, but when you get a little tired of it and feel like to have something Japanese you can try our recommendation.
Here is the ultimate ranking of potato chips in Japan (on RocketNews24 English’s own judgment). We tried to choose unique and Japanese flavors as much as we can. Therefore, the ranking does not include something standard like just salt, classic…etc. We hope you have a chance to try all the snacks here and put some of them on your favorite chips list!
10. Shuwa-Shuwa Cola Flavored Corn Snack (“shuwa-shuwa” is for fizzy in Japanese)
Okay, we admit this is not potato chips. But we cannot help listing this because actually we really get surprised and curious when it comes to the market in July 2013 from Japan Frito-Lay.
The corn snack collaborated with Pepsi tastes like cola first, then bit salty. You can also feel fizzy on your tongue just like when you drink soda.
For your information, the company already stopped manufacturing this fizzy corn snack in September. The reason has not been mentioned, but they just might realize that it is better to have snacks and cola separately.
9. Kata-age Potato Aburi-Mentaiko Flavor
This can be translated as “hard fried potato with broiled walleye pollack roe flavor”. Mentaiko is fish roe seasoned with salt and hot pepper, which is commonly going with rice in Japan.
This flavor may not be for everyone. However, if you are adventurous for any food, it is worth trying. And for adults, it goes quite good with beer!
8. Suppa-Mucho Premium Ponzu Flavor (“suppa” is for sour)
Ponzu is citrus seasoned soy sauce dressing. If you are a salt and vinegar lover, you will definitely love this too. The citrus smell sharpens your appetite.
7. Potato Chips Soy Sauce & Mayo
Soy sauce and mayo never go wrong. This flavor could be for anybody loves chips.
6. Kara-Mucho Hot Chili Flavor (“kara” is for spicy)
This is one of the long seller chips in Japan. Kara-Mucho is loved by kids and adults, though it is a little too hot for some younger kids.
5. Potato Chips Ume Flavor
Ume is also called as Umeboshi, which is a pickled plum. This flavor comes with sour taste and good smell of plum.
4. Pizza Potato
However you may have potato chips with pizza flavor in your country, this Japanese snack can still impress you with its cheese. Pizza Potato is not only pizza flavored but topped with real cheese (Cheddar and Emmental). This is definitely for cheese lover.
3. Wasabeef
As you can guess from its name, this is wasabi and beef flavor. It is a marvelous invention as once you have it you will notice that wasabi goes quite well with many things, not only sushi and sashimi. If you cannot get Wasabeef in your supermarket, we recommend you to have your beef steak with wasabi and salt or soy sauce.
2. Jagariko Potato & Butter Flavor
Jagariko is not chips. It is a potato made snack with absolutely nice texture. It might be better expressed with word “crunchy” than “crispy”. Jagariko has other flavors like cheese, salad, and some seasonal ones.
1. Potato Chips Nori-Shio Flavor
This is our No.1. Nori-Shio is a long seller loved by so many fans in Japan. Nori is seaweed and Shio is salt, that is seaweed-salt flavor. It is simple but never-get-tired taste.
Which potato chips has got your attention most?
Photos:Kie Yoshikuni





















Japanese potato chip Rubik’s Cubes coming soon
A call to arms: 5 Japanese potato chip flavours the west badly needs
Gold-leaf seasoned potato chips are Japan’s newest edible salute to the new emperor
Spicy Japanese potato snack Kara Mucho is now 800% spicier
New citrus-yuzu-salt-flavored Jagariko potato sticks are delicious, cheap, and ultra-limited
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Seaweed bread is one of the most unusual baked goods in all of Japan
Shogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Let’s talk about chips: Japanese netizens weigh in on the ten best potato chips in the country
New “barefaced” potato chips hit Japanese shelves, boast zero salt and customizing potential
Edamame potato chips appear in Japan, made with the king of edamame, dadachamame
The perfect summer snack – potato chips that are made to be cool, literally
Japanese mandarin-orange-flavored potato chips make a comeback!
Matcha green tea potato chips coming soon to make snack time in Japan cultured and delicious
Just like the cherry blossoms, KFC potato chips return to Japan this spring!
Popstar nun Sister Cristina tries Japanese potato chips for first time, ranks them for us
Let Potechinote do all the dirty potato chip work and keep your touchscreens sparkling
Snack maker promises its extra-thick, extra-expensive potato chips are extra-delicious
New “Rainbow Potato Chips” are disappointingly not multi-colored, but delightfully multi-flavored
We try Japan’s new “wet potato chips” — A moist revolution or soggy defeat?
Pizza Potato crisis causes turmoil in Japan for chip-lovers and opportunists alike
Koikeya giving snackers a chance to compare chips made from potatoes in 3 Japanese regions
Our natto maniac verifies the legitimacy of fermented soybean-flavored potato chips【Taste test】
These super thick, extra-crunchy potato chips are the answer to your salty snack cravings
We make chocolate-covered potato chips