Japan is an absolute haven of gourmet desserts from combinis to supermarket chains, these are the 5 best chocolate delicacies I’ve tasted!
1. Melty Kiss
Forget about Cadbury, because in Japan it’s all about Meiji! This brand is essentially the Cadbury of Japan and is behind many iconic products such as the beloved Melty Kiss range. Not only do they specialize in various kinds of chocolate, but also in different flavored delicacies such as matcha green tea, strawberry, and the seasonal flavors yaki-imo (roasted sweet potato) and sakura (cherry blossom). Melty Kiss lives true to its name, featuring a powdery chocolate cube that melts in your mouth effortlessly!
2. Belgian Chocolate Coolish
A common theme in Japan’s abundant world of desserts is “Belgian chocolate.” From GODIVA frappés to Coolish ice cream, Belgian chocolate is typically regarded as the crème of the crop in Japan. Whenever this term is used, I find the flavor is more intense and rich than standard chocolate flavors, particularly in the case of Belgian Chocolate Coolish where the hit of cocoa is extremely prominent!
3. Fondant au Chocolat
In another case of Belgian chocolate delights, I simply could not leave out the precious gem that is Fondant au Chocolat. This European dessert certainly sounds strange to be on a list of the best Japanese chocolates, but somehow Japan has outdone itself in bringing Belgian chocolate to life with this one. Available at Japanese supermarkets in the frozen section, Fondant au Chocolat is essentially a compressed fondue of sorts that is extremely thick, sticky, and absurdly rich in taste.
4. KitKat (Adult Sweetness)
Nestle may be a Swiss company, but everybody knows it’s Japan that took the brand to a whole new level, offering all kinds of unique KitKat flavors from milk tea to vanilla ice cream and even wasabi! Well, my personal favorite is simply chocolate, but with a twist of course. Otona no Amasa or “Adult Sweetness” is a richer yet less sweet version of the typical KitKat chocolate. A little bitter, a little sweet, and very very potent, it’s definitely one of the best flavors of KitKat no just in Japan, but in the world!
5. Dandy Chocolate
Saving the best for last, Dandy Chocolate is a brand of ice cream you’ll typically find in Japanese convenience stores and supermarkets. It’s a heavy-duty ice cream sandwich that incorporates big choco waffles with a filling of choco ice cream and crunchy pieces of cookie all throughout. Not for the faint-hearted, this ice cream is for biters, not lickers! Dandy also offers various other flavors such as caramel, vanilla, and most recently, tiramisu!
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