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Snack Saturdays: Calbee KFC Potato Chips

Posted January 18, 2014 by Stephanie
snack saturdays - calbee kfc chips

Japan is the land of wacky salty snacks. Much to Mike’s dismay, I love wandering around the endless snack aisles. To the untrained eye, all the colorful packages look the same, but a closer look reveals Mountain Dew Cheetos; foie, truffle and red wine chips; and Kewpie mayo. I haven’t tried any of those yet, but when I heard about a cross promotion between KFC and Calbee chips, I knew I would be buying a package or two.

calbee kfc chip review - www.iamafoodblog.com

Calbee, a Japanese snack company, is probably my favourite of all the Asian chip makers. Their chips are light, crispy and addictive. I had high hopes for these chips tasting like fried chicken. The chips are based on KFC’s Colonel Crispy Chicken, Japan’s version of chicken strips with a hint of soy and garlic. The verdict: delicious, but nothing like fried chicken.

calbee kfc chip review - www.iamafoodblog.com

When I opened the bag there was a pleasant somewhat fried chicken-like smell and Mike came wandering by asking, “where’s the fried chicken,” but other than that, these chips tasted like…well, chips. They had a hint of garlic, but I couldn’t taste any soy or chicken. Nonetheless, I thought they were pretty good and me and Mike made quick work of the bag.

calbee kfc chip review - www.iamafoodblog.com

Oh, and notice those red tongs in the photos? They’re chip tongs! The Japanese come up with everything — even a way to keep your keyboard/phone/book free of grease while eating potato chips. If you’ve ever been grossed out by eating chips with your hands then chip tongs are for you. It sounds funny, but Mike and I are actually huge fans of chip tongs regardless of whether or not we’re touching other surfaces. They’re especially helpful at preventing orange fingers when eating Cheetos.

What have you been snacking on lately? For more pictures of what I’ve been eating in Tokyo, follow me on Instagram!

calbee kfc chip review - www.iamafoodblog.com

5 Comments

  1. I love Asian versions of western food. I chip tongs are very cool. I might have to seek them out!

  2. Isn’t Japan amazing?!! Favorite place ever! Love the chip tong! What a brilliant idea!

  3. Sophie says:

    As a snack lover (and someone who lost 55 pounds mostly in just giving up my Flamin Hot Cheetos habit), I NEED those chip tongs. Awesome! These chips sound awesome too! I love wandering the snack aisles at Asian markets. I’m envious of your being in Japan :)

  4. Love the idea of the chip tongs … hilarious, but very practical really! Really enjoying reading this blog. Just love that you’re in Japan and I get to learn a little about somewhere I’ve never been (but hope to visit one day!)

  5. Bruce says:

    My chip tongs are amongst my favourite received gifts ever. Right up there next to whiskey!

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