OK, so I’m a bit of a closet J-snack addict. I avoid going to the Asian Markets on an empty stomach due to the fact that I fill the cart with bags and boxes of glorified, international junk food. Who’s with me on that? I can’t resist food that tastes so incredibly different then what I’m used to, yet is so damn tasty!
I’m going to try and justify my addiction with a new segment I’m adding to the Japanese Culture category: Japanese Snack Review.
Recently I had the pleasure to sample something I’ve never heard of before nor could even conceive of, before actually eating it: Wasabi Seaweed Tempura. Yes, it was battered, deep fried wasabi flavored pieces of seaweed in snack form. Before anyone says “Ewww, nasty!†– keep in mind that many varieties of sembei (Japanese crackers) are flavored
with seaweed. Seaweed is one of the main ingredients which give Japanese snacks that special, “je ne sais quois” that keeps you coming back for more. And who can say no to tempura? Tempura…mmmmmmm…
Taokaenoi is the premiere manufacturer of this delectable treat. They call their product “Japanese Crispy Seaweed†which sounds hella better than “deep fried seaweed”. It comes in four flavors: Classic, Hot n’ Spicy, Wasabi and Tom Yum Goon. I ate the wasabi-flavored seaweed and man was it ever gooooood.
I liked this since it did taste just like tempura and that the flavors were in good balance with each other. The seaweed is ever so lightly salted on one side and then on the other side it’s coated in a golden batter that’s fried to perfection. All of it is subtly spiced with wasabi. It really is a pretty snack to look at. I have no clue how they keep the batter on just that one side…
My only whiny moment with this is that the wasabi wasn’t strong enough for my liking. Keep in mind though, that I’m “That Guy†(actually “That Girl”) at the sushi bar that douses their sushi in wasabi and soy sauce.
I would recommend this snack to anyone who likes:
- Crispy, crunchy snacks
- Seaweed (who doesn’t?)
- Battered deep-fried treats
- Wasabi
Don’t eat this if you don’t like:
- Lots of calories
- Being addicted to a snack
- Seaweed
- Spicy stuff
So overall, let’s look at how Taokaenoi Japanese Fried Seaweed Wasabi Flavor scores:
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Giving this snack an overall:
If you live in St. Louis or the metro area you can get this snack at East East in Chesterfield. I’m not too sure about the other Asian markets, though. I’ll post if I find this somewhere else!
I recently remembered how much I really do like seaweed. In fact, I just decided to search online to find a way to order some. I live in Waterbury, CT and it appears that the nearest Asian grocery stores are at least an hour away! I really want to try the snack you reviewed. I wish I could find it nearby!
We purchased it up in Canada at the Chinese market and the wife fell in love with it. We have returned to Punta Gorda, FL and would like to know where that we can purchase more either her close to us in FL or over the internet.
Sam – Yeah, it’s really tasty!
Timothy – Do you have any international grocery stores nearby? It doesn’t have to be Japanese…lots of Chinese supermarkets carry it too!
haha i love that thing! Actually it’s korean. as in the manufacturing anyway. an interesting side note: taokaenoi sounds alot like tao kay noi, which is dialect for boss [or rather, in the olden days referred to the guys with money who ran the trading business]
The tom yum flavour is love! tho overall it’s a bit oily hahaha
I’ve recently come across this snack thanks to a Vietnamese work colleague. We’ve noticed that it’s very hard to find at the Asian Groceries here in Melbourne, which makes it really hard because we’re totally addicted to this delicious food!!!!
The Australian importer is only bringing in the Original, Wasabi and Hot & Spicy flavours and doesn’t seem to bring in the Tempura varieties. We’re also teased by the different flavours listed on the back of the pack such as Tom Yum Goong and Seafood.
XD, the company TaoKaeNoi that manufactures these delights is actually a Thai company. Go to http://www.taokaenoi.co.th to find out more.
@XD, I haven’t found tom yum flavor in this snack, but I did find tom yum in a fish and cracker mix. That was delicious!
@ JasonInMelbourne, ohhh, I didn’t know they were Thai! I assumed they were Japanese. Bad on me.
I wish we had more varieties as well. We only have the hook-up with wasabi and original.
Hi Rachel,
In Melbourne the importer has just begun to include the tempura range of the fried seaweed. Unfortunately my girfriend and I weren’t particularly impressed as we felt that there was too much batter and detracted from the flavour of the seaweed. Also, the batter tasted slightly burnt. Perhaps we had a bad batch. At the moment, we’re ticking with the original fried seaweed of the Original, Hot and Spicy and Wasabi flavours.
We’ve made several more friends and colleagues addicted to this stuff.
Long live tasty fried nori!
Regards,
Jason.
@JasonInMelbourne, yark! Burnt tempura batter sucks T_T. Yep, sounds like you had a skunky batch of tempura nori. The stuff I buy is delish. Maybe a different brand won’t be so nasty?
I’m glad you’re getting your friends in on the Asian goodies; spread the love!!