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 beautiful Sakura Wagashi 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. ♡
May's box is all about Savoring Osaka. It was not surprising that Sakuraco included a gorgeous booklet, since its packaging is so impressive. This booklet describes each snack and lists if it contains any common allergy. It also includes articles about crafts, traditions, and destinations in Osaka.
What's Inside:
Miyako Konbu
This is the most interesting snack from this month's delivery. It is unique to every other snack I've seen from this subscription. Pickled kelp has a leathery texture and is difficult to chew. The sour pickled flavor is really fun; the seasoning it is coated with adds to it for a fascinating umami. I was the only one that liked this snack in this house.
Senshu Onion Sable
I really wish I had ten more of these to enjoy. It is bursting with sweet onion flavor, while being irresistibly buttery and crisp. I don't know how they squeezed all of that flavor into one small cookie, but I am now hooked.
Shichifukujin Daruma Tenugui
This textile is known as a Tenugui, a multipurpose cloth used in home decor or as a hand towel. Using traditional dying techniques, this one features daruma and shichifukujin (seven lucky gods). I am hoping they share their luck with me.
Osaka Arare
This is the ultimate crunchy, savory snack. It was gone in one bite! I've grown to love the Arare snacks shared in this subscription; this one was especially delicious, made from 100% domestically cultivated rice and baked to have the perfect crispy, yet fluffy texture.
Osaka Octopus Senbei
I treaded lightly with this one, haha. Its description, "Osaka's popular takoyaki, a savory ball-shaped snack made of wheat flour batter with octopus, with two crust crackers sandwiching a layer of cheese," sounded menacing. Still, I sucked up my hesitation and dove right in with a big bite. The first bite was a total shock of flavor, a skinny layer of rich cheese surrounded by two crackers with a bold seafood flavor. I am glad I had the opportunity to try it, but I wouldn't purchase this snack.
Pickled Ginger Crisps
As soon as I opened this bag, the aroma let me know that I was in for a treat. They are a similar texture to the US's veggie straws, but they have an addictive pickled ginger flavor with a kick that I've been thinking about for days. This was a nice, big bag, which lasted me a few days.
Ginger Okoshi
I love this month's nod to ginger; it is such an underused flavor in the US. Okoshi is made from finely crushed rice and starch syrup. This version is infused with ginger, which adds a spiciness that makes this Okoshi unique; it is sweet, crunchy, and all around, a lovely experience.
Strawberry Cream Cookie
Two crispy, wavy cookies embrace a generous layer of strawberry-flavored cream in this lovely cookie sandwich. It wasn't easy to bite into this one, as it cracked into different sections when I took my first bite, but that made it perfect to give my kids their portions. I thought the buttery cookie and strawberry cream made an excellent pairing, and my kids concur!
Strawberry Cakes
I am always delighted to try any of Sakuraco's pastry finds. They are always moist and bursting with sweet and creative flavorings. Soft, fluffy castella dough houses a very mellow, strawberry cream filling that we all loved. In fact, my daughter cried when I told her it was all gone.
Egg Koban Senbei
I have never met senbei I haven't enjoyed. This is a lovely biscuit with a subtle sweetness and a satisfying crunch. It pairs perfectly with this month's featured tea and also with my morning coffee.
Kokuto & Sugar Houten
I love when Sakuraco sends out different flavors of the same snack. It is always fun to compare the different versions. The two of these were very similar in taste, but I think I enjoyed the brown sugar houten over the white sugar; it had a warmer, spicier flavor that I really liked.
Osaka Mochi Castella
This little cake was a delicacy! A moist, luscious castella cake was blessed with a chewy layer of mochi, which is a match made in heaven. I loved every bite (didn't share this one, folks), and I even scraped the packaging that had some moist cake clinging to it.
Fukamushi Sencha
This was a very strong brew! The tea is deep-steamed longer than your usual sencha, making it a full-bodied beauty. It definitely woke me up in the morning, and I looked forward to another cup in the afternoon.
Kinako Warabimochi
"Warabimochi is a traditional Japanese sweet made from bracken starch, known for its soft texture." I was hoping for another flavorful jelly like we received last month, but this texture was more solid, like jello. I liked the subtly sweet flavor of the Warabimochi, but I preferred it without the kinako, roasted soybean flour.
The Verdict
Sakuraco's May box was stacked with diverse flavors and a range of different textures. I especially loved the treats with ginger and, of course, I loved the delicate cakes included in this month's delivery. Little Debbie who? Japan has so many marvelous snacks, which I would have never known if it wasn't for my Sakuraco subscription. This box always bursts with authentic Japanese flavors, and I thoroughly enjoy everything from unboxing to the taste-testing session. It is especially fun sharing this experience with my family and is so 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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