Bokksu is a premium Japanese snack subscription service. Each box includes an assortment of authentic Japanese snacks as well as a tea pairing chosen to complement and enhance that month's flavors.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Bokksu
The Subscription Box: Bokksu
The Cost: $39.00 per month + free shipping
The Products: 18-20 premium Japanese snacks including a tea pairing.
Ships to: Worldwide
December 2017 Bokksu Review
First, you'll see a thank you note from founder Danny Taing.
The snack theme this month is "Modern Kyoto".
This portion speaks to the unique way Kyoto balances keeping modern while preserving its traditional ways.
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Here we have the snack list!
Koto Matcha Milk Rusk
Yessss! Bokksu has really gotten me into rusks! I've received Earl Grey rusks in the past, and this one is super tasty as well! This is the first of many matcha items this month which excites me since I can't get enough. This thin, crispy biscuit is meant to be enjoyed with tea and features a subtle flavor with the perfect amount of sugar on top. It looks like I was supposed to receive three, but only got one. They must have run out. 🙁 I did get more of some other treats though, so I think it evened out.
Young Sardine Pepper Senbei x 2
Hahaha - my roomie ate one of these first and said "Oh, I don't think you're going to like this. It's sardine.", and he was correct. This puffed rice cracker has a bit too much flavor from the sea for me. There is a little hint of black pepper as well, but mostly a salty fishy flavor. No thank you!
Saku Saku Kakao x 2
Here we have a light chocolate sandwich cookie. It's sort of like a madeleine, but with a rich filling that makes this perfect to eat along with some morning coffee. Yum!
Yuzu Sandwich Cookie x 2
Ooh - this seemingly kind of boring looking outside is actually really soft and is filled with citrusy sweet yuzu. Since the soft cookie part is on the dry side, the filling lends a bit of moisture, but would still be super delicious dunked in tea! The beautiful yellow packaging makes it feel special when unwrapping like a gift.
Kyoyuzen Candy Mix
This candy is so pretty and probably one of my favorites this month. The thin colorful glass-like tiles remind me of stained glass and are really similar to jolly ranchers. The minimal clear packaging (with resealable pouch) allows the candy to be the feature which is fun to eat!
Ararezutsumi x 2
Well, we have a winner for packaging this month. This sweet waffle-like wafer is wrapped around a salty savory senbei which I normally wouldn't go for (sweet/savory mixtures are usually a no for me), but this one is hard to put down. If I had to choose, I'd go with the salty inside, but I have to work through the sweet outside to get to it!
Kyoto Matcha Baumkuchen x 3
Like the info sheet mentions, this little treat puts a Japanese twist on the German flaky "kuchen" by filling it with super light whipped matcha cream. This is another favorite of mine from this month! A perfect little snack to satiate my sweet tooth. I could probably eat a tub of the matcha filling, which reminds me of buttercream cake frosting.
Matcha and Chocolate Azuki Beans x 4
Each of these cool little pyramid-shaped packages has a small handful of matcha powder dusted white chocolate covered azuki beans (which are red mung beans, used commonly in paste form as filling). They are pretty sweet due to the white chocolate coating and are like a really soft version of a yogurt covered raisin. Pretty yummy, hecka sweet!
Sencha and Matcha Blend Tea x 4
This tea has a light matcha flavor that I recognize from my green tea lattes and makes a nice addition to many of the sweet snacks from the box. It is indeed a bit earthy as well, like the info sheet mentions.
Since it's the end of the year, Bokksu has included a little thank you this month in the form of this super cute neko (cat) plastic cup. I normally wouldn't use this to hold a hot drink, but they specifically say in the welcome note to use it for tea. Ok!
OFU Smoked Crackers
The front of this package makes it clear that these salty snacks are made for eating with a nice cold beer. They have a great smoky flavor and are reminiscent of beer nuts, but have a bit of a foreign flavor flair. I don't appreciate the way the brand speaks to me though (a little "OFU" joke for ya)! 😉
Natural Yeast Bread Matcha
Maaaan, I love a Japanese baked good. This big boi is super fluffy and moist with a light green hue that lets you know there is matcha in there! I could eat chewy buns like this forever, and really enjoy the little fella in the top left of the package.
Verdict: Even though I didn't love this month's Bokksu quite as much as last month, it still hit the spot and wowed me with gorgeous packaging and high-end snacks that satiated both my sweet and savory tooth. 😉 If you're going to subscribe to a Japanese snack box, this one is on the pricey side, but totally worth it if it fits your budget. It's also an impressive gift for a designer or foodie friend who may not have an Asian market nearby. I received a total of 23 items that spanned 11 different treats PLUS a cute cat cup for $39.00.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. You must order by the 25th of the month to receive the following month's box. If you order today, your first box will be February.
Coupon – Use code ADDICTION to save $10 off your first box!
Value Breakdown: At $39 for this box, you're paying approximately $1.57 per item (not counting the cat cup).
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What is your favorite item from Bokksu this month?
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