Enjoy the crisp, salty taste of potato chips with a blast of…mandarin orange?
Koikeya, a Japanese snack maker, is known for releasing some pretty interestingly flavored potato chips. The list includes everything from toast to milk to apple even.
This summer, Koikeya has released mikan — or mandarin orange — flavored potato chips. If that sounds familiar, it’s because they’ve released this flavor in previous years. We even wrote an article about when they first appeared in 2014!
The 2016 edition comes packed with a more mandarin flavor than ever. They went on sale August 17th exclusively at Seven & I Holdings-owned franchises (like 7-Eleven and Ito Yokado) around Japan. Naturally, the RocketNews24 team decided to try them out.
▼ The package advertises them as “sweet, sour, and refreshing.” It sounds perfect for summer!
The first crunch made us think, “Wow, this is sour!” But then, the aftertaste transformed into refreshing mandarin goodness. Who would have thought the salty crispness of potato chips would pair so well with the sweet-and-sour delightful-ness of mikan?
▼ Don’t be deceived by their ordinary appearance.
Compared to the 2014 version, we found this year’s mandarin chips struck the perfect balance between salt and flavoring. Neither overpowers the other.
We’re excited to see what seasonal flavors Koikeya comes up with next!
Images © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Mikan flavored potato chips sound gross, but may actually be genius marketing
Move aside ham and eggs; breakfast potato chips are here!
Toast and milk “breakfast” potato chip flavours set to debut in Japan this month
New “barefaced” potato chips hit Japanese shelves, boast zero salt and customizing potential
Let’s talk about chips: Japanese netizens weigh in on the ten best potato chips in the country
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Buildings transform into giant robots in Japanese real estate company’s anime commercial【Video】
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service notebook and ceramic cake case to stores in Japan
Taste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Matcha green tea potato chips coming soon to make snack time in Japan cultured and delicious
“Most luxurious consommé potato chips” on the way, flavored with wagyu, lobster, white wine
Koikeya giving snackers a chance to compare chips made from potatoes in 3 Japanese regions
Want some bling in your snack? Koikeya’s new luxury chips features actual gold leaf
A call to arms: 5 Japanese potato chip flavours the west badly needs
New coffee-flavored potato chips “taste like chaos”
Potato chips for sake? 176-year-old brewer and gourmet chip maker produce a snack like no other
Make potato chips twice as delicious by soaking them in green tea before eating them【SoraKitchen】
Green tea chocolate-covered potato chips arrive in Japan! 【Taste test】
We mix banana and peach potato chips with toast, yoghurt and granola for a new Japanese breakfast
“Japanese steak sandwich” flavour potato chips have us slavering over our keyboards!
Our natto maniac verifies the legitimacy of fermented soybean-flavored potato chips【Taste test】
Gold-leaf seasoned potato chips are Japan’s newest edible salute to the new emperor
Pringles Japanese egg sandwich-flavor potato chips on sale now, said to taste AND smell the part
For all chip lovers around the world! This is the ultimate ranking of potato chips in Japan