This Sampler Box Lets You Try Japanese Kit Kat Flavors—No Passport Required!

Kit Kats are some of the most well-rounded candies in existence. They’re chocolatey and crunchy and offer an oh-so-satisfying snap. As a kid, I always dug into Kit Kats before anything else in my Halloween candy bag, and I know I’m not the only one. It almost seems impossible to improve this perfect candy—but that was before I learned about Japanese Kit Kat flavors.

Yes, that’s right. There are dozens of global Kit Kat flavors that go way beyond what you can find stateside. So naturally, when I came across a 50-piece box stuffed with six of Japan’s most popular flavors, I just had to try it. Here’s what I thought after enjoying the Japanese Kit Kat sampler.

What is the Japanese Kit Kat sampler?

The Japanese Kit Kat sampler is a small box containing six different Japanese Kit Kat flavors for a whopping total of 50 pieces. Flavors are regional to Japan and include original, milk tea, matcha, orange chocolate, dark chocolate and kohaku—a milk and white chocolate combo.

Upon arrival, I was impressed with the sampler’s packaging, which features traditional Japanese iconography and lots of color. Apart from the fun print, the box is much smaller than I expected. Once opened, however, I was blown away by the contents. Underneath a printout of nutrition information is a treasure trove of my most coveted treat!

Japanese Kit Kat Flavors Review

There are six flavors featured in the Japanese Kit Kat sampler:

• Original: No surprise here— the Japanese version of an original Kit Kat is the same wafer-filled milk chocolate we know and love. The ingredients in the Japanese version do differ slightly from the American candy, though.
• Milk Tea: The milk tea Kit Kat is my new favorite. It offers a delightful, milky-sweet flavor with a slight touch of black tea. White chocolate gives it a lighter flavor, and, like the original, the wafers offer a rich and satisfying crunch.
• Matcha: The matcha Kit Kat channels the bitter bite of matcha green tea. The chocolate itself is a green color, which I found fun. As a matcha fan, I’m surprised that the initial bitter flavor perfectly mimics the traditional drink.
• Orange Chocolate: Terry’s chocolate oranges are some of my favorite confections, and the taste of this orange chocolate Kit Kat is quite similar to the fruit-shaped treat. The hit of citrus contrasts well with the milk chocolate, and the fragrance is absolutely intoxicating.
• Dark Chocolate: The dark chocolate Kit Kat comes in a black wrapper emblazoned with white writing. While dark in color, the chocolate is still creamy and brown rather than almost black, which means it leans a bit more sweet than bitter. Personally, that’s a trait I prefer.
• Kohaku: The final flavor, inspired by the traditional Japanese concept of “kohaku,” symbolizes red and white with its packaging. The kohaku Kit Kat bar offers primarily white chocolate, but it also boasts a milk chocolate base. This makes it a fun twist on the traditional milk chocolate candy.

Final Verdict

This Japanese Kit Kat sampler is perfect for parties, gifts and—of course—snacking. Overall, I found the flavors true to life. While it was a bit disappointing to receive standard milk and dark chocolate versions similar to what you can find in the U.S., I did enjoy trying new-to-me flavors. The tea options were particularly delicious. Plus, the packaging gives you a taste of another culture, just like some of our favorite snack subscriptions.

Where to Buy a Japanese Kit Kat Sampler

Is your mouth watering yet? You can snag this genius 50-piece Japanese Kit Kat sampler on Amazon or Bokksu Market. It retails for between $50 and $60. While a bit pricey, it’s the easiest and most cost-effective way to enjoy multiple Japanese Kit Kat flavors without having to buy a bag of each—or planning a trip!

That said, Bokksu Market also offers individual bags of Japanese Kit Kats. Prices run the gamut, depending on the size, flavor and number of candies included. You can also snag flavors not included in the box, such as double-layer green tea, strawberry and white chocolate.