Utsunomiya Senbei: An Uncompromising Marriage of Sesame Oil and Garlic That Keeps You Reaching for Another

Rice crackers as a souvenir are about as classic a choice as you can make.

They are convenient because they suit a wide range of recipients and occasions.

Asakusa, Soka, and Fukagawa offer serious senbei brands rooted in their local traditions. The product I bought this time, however, is more of a themed souvenir with a particularly strong regional identity.

The package says Utsunomiya Senbei, but the image of gyoza is by far the most prominent element. For a moment, I thought the relative sizes of the cracker and dumplings in the design should be reversed, but perhaps that simply shows how completely Utsunomiya is identified with gyoza.

I found and bought the box at Kawaguchi Parking Area in Saitama while driving home. Tochigi is not far from Saitama, which probably explains why it was stocked there.

Here is my review.

Utsunomiya Senbei by Sanyo Bussan

The appetizing photograph of pan-fried gyoza has real visual impact and immediately drew me in.

A box of 12 costs 540 yen.

The package feels much lighter and emptier than expected.
Because it weighs so little, it will not burden your luggage on the journey home.

The ingredients and best-before date are printed on the side.
My box had about four months remaining from the purchase date.

That long shelf life is another welcome advantage.

Utsunomiya Senbei after removing the paper wrapping

The twelve crackers are lined up in individual wrappers.
The same photograph used on the outer package is printed on every wrapper.

The inside calls the product Gyoza Senbei, which makes the exact name a little confusing.
Perhaps the developers first planned the grand name Utsunomiya Senbei, then eventually conceded, “These really are gyoza senbei,” and printed that instead.

The individual wrappers do not appear to include any detailed product information.

What Does Sanyo Bussan’s Utsunomiya Senbei Taste Like?

Let us try one!

Although it is called senbei, the cracker does not look particularly rugged or substantial. If anything, its appearance is quite restrained.

The surface is granular and slightly rough.
It looks as though tiny particles have been tightly pressed into the shape of a thin-baked cracker.

But the moment it enters your mouth, the garlic is astonishingly powerful!
It hits hard.

Immediately afterward, sweet-and-savory sauce and the flavor of gyoza spread across the palate.
Despite the fairly ordinary appearance, I was surprised by the sheer impact of the seasoning.

As you might imagine, adults will almost certainly want a beer. This may be a rice cracker, but tea is not the drink that comes to mind.

It is delicious, though!

Opinions will probably divide between people who find the lingering flavor blissful—even a sip of beer cannot wash it away—and those who think it is simply too aggressive.

Anyone who dislikes garlic may struggle with it.

My child took only one bite before declaring that the garlic was much too strong.

I enjoyed the flavor, but preferences will clearly vary.

When an inoffensive, conventional souvenir feels a little boring, a product with this much impact is a great alternative.

Recommended—and thank you for the treat!

Utsunomiya Senbei Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer