
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
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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