Buying Asian snacks and cakes: how to choose from the international range

Buying Asian snacks and cakes online can give you a surprisingly wide choice, from Japanese, Korean and Chinese snacks to waffles, tarts and baking products. The variety is great, but it can also make it harder to compare products. Eye-catching packaging doesn’t tell you much about the flavour, portion size or whether a product suits your needs.

So keep an eye out for these three common pitfalls:

1. A large pack looks like good value, but contains very few individual portions. That’s not ideal if you want to hand out snacks or take them with you.
2. A product name may suggest a flavour that comes from only a small amount of an ingredient. Check the ingredients list and any stated quantities.
3. Storage and preparation instructions are often overlooked. A frozen product, baking mix or tart needs different handling from a ready-to-eat snack.

A few simple checks can help you find international sweet treats to suit your taste, budget and occasion.

What should you look for when buying Asian snacks and cakes?

1. Check the weight, portions and packaging

Don’t just compare the price of each pack: check the net weight and the number of individual portions too. A 135-gram bag, such as BISKIO Doraemon Wafer Chocolate, is intended for a different occasion from a 260-gram family pack like Hello Panda Biscuits Milk Filling XL.

Individually wrapped products are handy for:

• treats at work or school;
• snacks to take with you;
• a gift box of international treats;
• sharing without having to open the whole pack straight away.

Once opened, check the storage instructions too. Many biscuits, cakes and wafers should be kept sealed, in a dry place and out of direct sunlight.

2. Check the ingredients and allergens before ordering

Ingredients and allergen information on Japanese, Korean and Chinese snacks may be presented differently from what you’re used to. Always check the current packaging, especially for gluten, milk, eggs, soya, nuts and sesame.

Examples from the range:

• According to the product information, Atom Japanese Chocolate Baum Cake contains wheat, egg, milk and soya.
• C2 Boxed Cheese Chocolate Flavour Soft Heart Tarts contains wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients.
• Thinmax Egg Yolk Pastry contains wheat, egg and milk.
• Orion Choco Pie contains wheat, milk and soya. According to the product information, it may also contain traces of peanuts, nuts and sesame, among other allergens.

A flavour name such as “cheese”, “chocolate” or “pistachio” doesn’t necessarily mean that the ingredient is present in a large quantity. For example, Glico Pock lists a cheese powder content of 0.1%. So check the ingredients list rather than relying on the front of the pack.

3. Know what’s ready to eat, what needs chilling and what needs baking

Products sold as cakes and tarts aren’t all alike. Some snacks are ready to eat, while others need baking or must be kept frozen.

• Ready to eat: biscuits, wafers, Choco Pies and individually wrapped cakes.
• Frozen products: Koopmans puff pastry and Dr. Oetker La Mia Familia 4-Cheese Pizza Tear Bread.
• Baking products: Koopmans Apple Crumble Pie Mix, which, according to the product description, needs extra ingredients such as butter, egg and apples.

The instructions for Koopmans puff pastry say not to eat the dough raw and to heat it thoroughly. Always follow the preparation instructions on the pack. This helps avoid waste and makes it easier to choose the right product.

Which flavours and pack sizes suit your needs?

For a sweet snack table, you could pair chocolate snacks with biscuits and wafers. Try Oreo Birthday Cake Flavored Cookies, Verkade Frou Frou Vanilla or Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik with pistachio paste. If you’d like to try a range of textures, mix soft cake with crispy wafers and filled tarts.

Products in individual wrappers are handy for gifts or sharing. Bonne Maman Lemon Tarts contains nine individually wrapped tarts. At 45 grams, Glico Pock is a compact choice for a small treat or a taste test.

If you want to bake at home, look for baking products rather than ready-made sweet treats. You can use puff pastry to make both sweet and savoury bites. An apple crumble pie mix takes a little more preparation, but is a good option when you want to serve several portions.

Our recommendations for different types of shopper

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

BISKIO Doraemon Wafer Chocolate 135g

Why it suits this shopper: A manageable 135-gram pack for anyone trying international wafers for the first time without buying a large selection straight away.

How this product helps avoid the pitfalls

The net weight and nutritional information are clearly stated. If you’re sensitive to milk, eggs, soya or wheat, check the ingredients list too.

Key benefits

135 grams, ready to eat and suitable for sharing. The pack describes it as a chocolate wafer and states a shelf life of nine months.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality

Atom Japanese Chocolate Baum Cake - 80 g

Why it suits this shopper: For anyone looking for a soft Japanese snack with a layered texture, in an individually wrapped portion.

How this product helps avoid the pitfalls

The product information gives a net weight of 80 grams and states that the cake is individually wrapped. So you know exactly what portion you’re getting.

Key benefits

A soft, layered cake with a chocolate flavour; according to the product description, it contains no artificial colourings or preservatives.

Suitable for: Specific needs & frequent users

Koopmans Apple Crumble Pie Mix - 410 g

Why it suits this shopper: For home bakers who want to make several portions and add their own apples, butter, egg and spices.

How this product helps avoid the pitfalls

The product description lists the extra ingredients you’ll need. That makes it easier to work out the total cost and preparation time in advance.

Key benefits

A 410-gram mix that makes around twelve slices, with a crumble topping and clear preparation instructions.

Frequently asked questions about buying Asian snacks and cakes

Which Asian snacks make good gifts?

Choose a product in a sturdy box or with several individually wrapped portions. Bonne Maman Lemon Tarts contains nine individually wrapped tarts. A combination of Japanese snacks, chocolate snacks, biscuits and wafers also works well in a small tasting box. Check the best-before date and allergens first.

How should I store Asian cakes and tarts?

Always follow the instructions on the packaging. Many cakes, biscuits and wafers should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Frozen products should stay frozen until you’re ready to use them. Once opened, keep the pack tightly sealed to help prevent the contents from drying out or losing their crunch.

Are baking mixes better value than ready-made cakes?

It depends on the extra ingredients, baking time and quantity you need. A baking mix can be handy if you want to make several portions or adjust the flavour yourself. Individually wrapped cakes, wafers and tarts are more convenient for a quick snack. So compare not just the purchase price, but also the finished weight and number of portions.