Sakuraco is a monthly Japanese Snack Box subscription celebrating authentic Japanese flavors. Committed to supporting family-owned businesses, each month this box features snacks from a ''new corner of Japan.'' Indulge in artisan treats and learn more about Japanese culture with them through flavor and tea.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
Sakuraco costs $37.50 monthly; you can save more by committing to a longer subscription. I received plenty of snacks to try this month, plus a really cute dessert plate. This box shipped directly from Japan; everything arrived in perfect condition and didn't take long to get to me.
First Impressions
Once again, the packaging for this box is stunning. ♡ This box has a little dent on the top, but it won't stop me from repurposing it.
Sakuraco included an enchanting note describing Hokkaido. This area sounds whimsical, which I can sense from all of the snacks packed into this month's box. I've been subscribing for three months, and this is my favorite box yet!
It was not surprising that Sakuraco included a gorgeous booklet, since its packaging was so impressive. This booklet describes each snack and lists if it contains any common allergy. It also includes several articles ranging from traditional hand-crafting of snacks, quality tea making, and delightful festivals in the Hokkaido area. I learned so much that I really worked up a hunger. Let's dig into these snacks!
What's Inside:
Fried Corn Snack
These crunchy little kernels were bursting with flavor. Two packs left me wanting more! I will definitely be looking for similar snacks on the web; they were sweet with a hint of salt and utterly delightful.
Chocolate Kaki no Tane
This blend was perfectly sweet and savory. The chocolate-covered kaki no tane (cresent-shaped senbei) and roasted peanuts really complimented each other, and much like the first snack, they included two small packs which left me wanting more.
Salted Edamame Arare
My family eats a lot of edamame, so it was interesting trying this crunchy snack mix. The arare is made with a mix of edamame beans kneaded into rice dough; I could have eaten those without the nuts, but I enjoyed it all together for a pleasant savory experience.
Roasted Soybean Senbei
What I love most about this senbei is how thick each cracker is; they are crunchy but more substantial than others I've tried due to the thickness. They are dense and rich, and I can't get enough of the savory soy sauce flavor. The bag was a great size, too!
Shonzui Flower Dish
This little cutie was safely tucked away in its own box, arriving in perfect condition. It is well-made and microwave and dishwasher-safe. Traditional blue flower porcelain style dishes were originally created by tea masters and are still used in modern tea ceremonies today. It is the perfect size for snacks, too!
Hokkaido Butter Cookie
When I tell you I didn't want to share these cookies, I mean I tried very hard to conceal them from my kids and husband, but ultimately, I lost that battle. We are all cookie crazy here, so I didn't stand a chance. This is the perfect butter cookie: subtle and sweet, buttery and creamy. It is made from the finest Hokkaido, and you can absolutely taste the quality in every bite.
Mt. Fuji Senbei
How cute is this little replica of Mt Fuji! I was excited to try a sweetened version of senbei and wasn't disappointed. It still had the traditional soy sauce taste I've come to love, but it was lighter with a vague sweetness that married into the taste and texture so well.
Butter Senbei
I selfishly set both of these aside after the other butter cookies disappeared so quickly. No regrets, my friends. This was the show-stopper. It is one of those treats that you feel like you have to save for a peaceful moment in the day to stop and savor every bite. It is a melt-in-your-mouth, buttery dream. This senbei is made from 100% Hokkaido buttermilk powder and fermented butter, and it is like nothing I've tasted before. Lovely.
Hokkaido Melon Cookie
This cookie has such a bright, fruity flavor. It was so pleasant, and my kids loved them. Hokkaido is known for its famed dairy farms and strawberries, and this cookie combines the two assets beautifully.
Hokkaido Strawberry Chocolate Cookie
This cookie has no business being so cute. I love that it looks like a petite pink chocolate sandwich. This cookie is a two-bite treat with a little crunch from the strawberry cookie and the middle just melts in your mouth. Strawberries and cream is what Hokkaido does best, and they do it right!
White Chocolate Raspberry Puff
This was a unique find. It is a complex treat with tastes of puffed corn smothered in white chocolate topped with tangy raspberry crumbs. Sweet, tangy, and savory!
Honey Apple Mochi
I've never met a mochi that I didn't like. I've never seen it packaged like this, but I thought the presentation was great. When you open the wrapper, it is enveloped in a protective sleeve, then when you peel that open, the bar is wrapped with an edible oblate wrapper. It is impossible to peel it away, so the edible wrapper was a smart move. The flavor of honey and apples is lovely, and you can't beat that soft mochi texture.
Hokkaido Milk Manju
Speaking of delicious, these milk manju treats are a little taste of heaven. Each manju is made from Hokkaido's condensed milk and filled with lightly sweetened white bean paste. They are perfect to curb that early morning craving for sweets
Hokkaido Milk Danish
This is such a soft, pillowy pastry. I would compare its sweetness with brioche, but its texture is lighter and fluffier. This reminded me of the perfect match for afternoon tea.
Hokkaido Genmaicha
This was a strong green tea that was delicious hot and iced. I loved this blend of green tea; it is the perfect combination of Shizuoka sencha, Hokkaido brown rice, and Shizuoka matcha. It was perfect after a quick one-minute steep in boiling water.
The Verdict
Sakuraco's December box was once again, vastly different from the previous month's, which left me feeling really excited for this subscription. After two months, I thought I knew what to expect, but I was blown away! This month had so many rich treats. There is consistently a wonderful range of flavors and textures, but this month's butter cookies hooked me; I need more! Everything from unboxing to the taste-testing session I always enjoy with my family is worth the $37.50 price tag.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $37.50. This box ships directly from Japan and included 14 artisanal snacks and a pair of snack plate. It is like spending $2.50 per item.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes
What do you think of this month's Sakuraco's box?
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