Joybuy Insights

Choosing Asian snacks and sweets: practical tips for buying online

Buying Asian snacks and sweets is easy, but the range can quickly become overwhelming. Looking for Japanese snacks, Korean snacks, gummy sweets, biscuits or chocolate snacks? Packaging and flavour descriptions can often seem more appealing than the information you need to make a well-informed comparison.

Pay particular attention to three common pitfalls:

  • Flavour claims reveal little about the ingredients. A product described as having a “fruity”, “creamy” or “refreshing” flavour may still consist mainly of sugar, glucose or fructose syrup.
  • A large pack is not always better value. Compare the net weight and price per 100 grams. A sharing bag may be less suitable if you only want something sweet occasionally.
  • Allergens and gelatine are sometimes overlooked. Sweets often contain gelatine. Biscuits, wafers and crisps commonly contain milk, wheat or soya. Always check the current packaging.

What should you look for in Asian snacks and sweets?

1. Check the ingredients and allergens

In the European Union, the main allergens must be clearly indicated. In product information, you will often see them in capital letters, such as wheat, milk, soya and cereals containing gluten.

Gelatine is an important consideration when buying sweets. For example, Haribo Happy Cherries contains gelatine and, according to the product information, is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Nerds Gummy Clusters Fruits also lists pork gelatine as an ingredient.

Also look out for possible cross-contamination. Haribo Happy Cherry Soda Flavor Gummies states that the product may contain cereals containing gluten, milk and wheat. The information that Cokoc Peelable Gummies contains “none of the 14 main EU allergens” is useful, but you should still check the label on the packaging delivered before buying.

2. Compare sugar, fat and serving size

Nutritional values are usually provided per 100 grams. This makes comparison possible, but does not tell you how much you will actually eat. An individual serving of Meito Pukupukutai Chocolate Wafer weighs 16.5 grams, while a bag of Haribo Happy Cherries contains 250 grams.

Here are some examples from the product information:

  • Haribo Happy Cherries: 46 grams of sugar per 100 grams
  • Haribo Happy Cherry Soda Flavor Gummies: 60 grams of sugar per 100 grams
  • Cokoc Peelable Gummies: 45.9 grams of sugar per 100 grams
  • Glico Pocky Cookies Almond: 32 grams of sugar per 100 grams
  • Haitai Honey Butter Chips: 43 grams of fat per 100 grams

These figures do not determine which snack you should choose, but they do help you compare products fairly. Nutri-Score can provide an additional indication, but it does not replace the ingredients list or serving size.

3. Consider the size, packaging and occasion

For a film night, birthday or family gathering, sharing snacks are practical. Smaller packs are often more convenient for school, the office or eating on the go. A resealable bag helps keep the contents crisp or fresh for longer, but always follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Texture is important when it comes to biscuits and wafers. Franzzi Coconut Latte Flavored Filled Cookies are described as crisp biscuits with a soft filling. Meito Pukupukutai is a small chocolate wafer in an individual pack. Stroopwafels such as Kanjers Original Stroopwafels are often enjoyed with coffee or tea; according to the product information, they can also be warmed on top of a hot drink.

Product choices for different types of shopper

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Cokoc Peelable Gummies Mixed Fruit Flavor 60g

Cokoc Peelable Gummies Mixed Fruit Flavor 60g

Why it suits this shopper profile: The 60-gram pack is ideal if you want to try gummy sweets without immediately buying a large bag. The playful peelable shape is well suited to families and younger shoppers.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The net weight is clearly stated, and the product information indicates that the product contains none of the 14 main EU allergens. Gelatine is listed among the ingredients.

Key benefit & highlights

60 grams, mixed fruit flavour and 0 grams of fat per 100 grams according to the product information.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality
Glico Pocky Cookies Almond 2P 46.2g per pack

Glico Pocky Cookies Almond 2P 46.2g/pack

Why it suits this shopper profile: This Japanese snack combines biscuit sticks with a cookies-and-cream-style coating. The two-part pack is suitable for sharing or saving for two separate snack occasions.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The individual portions help prevent you from automatically opening a large bag. The allergens are clearly listed: wheat, milk and soya.

Key benefit & highlights

46.2 grams per pack, two portions and 32 grams of sugar per 100 grams according to the product information.

Suitable for: Specific uses & frequent shoppers
Haribo Happy Cherries 250g

Haribo Happy Cherries 250g

Why it suits this shopper profile: The 250-gram pack is practical for birthdays, film nights and other occasions when several people want to help themselves to sweets.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The weight and pack size make it suitable for sharing. The product information lists gelatine and possible traces of milk, wheat and gluten.

Key benefit & highlights

250 grams, cherry flavour and, according to the product description, no artificial colourings.

Comparing Japanese and Korean snacks

If you are specifically looking for Japanese snacks, you can also explore Meiji Hello Panda Biscuits, Meiji Chocorooms and Meito chocolate wafers alongside Pocky. For these products, check the ingredients list for milk, soya and wheat. The small packs are particularly suitable for a snack box or a tasting session featuring several flavours.

For Korean snacks, Haitai Honey Butter Chips are a savoury option among all the sweet treats. The pack contains 60 grams. According to the product information, the flavour mix includes milk, wheat and soya, among other ingredients. This makes the product less suitable for people who avoid these allergens, but the information still helps you make an informed choice in advance.

Dutch favourites also have a place in an international snack selection. Kanjers stroopwafels contain eight pieces and are intended to be enjoyed with coffee or tea. If you prefer small biscuits with a fruity topping, Van Delft Likkoekjes are worth considering. For both products, check the current allergen information on the packaging.

Buying sweets online without a disappointing purchase

Use this quick checklist when comparing products:

  1. Check the net weight and, where available, the price per 100 grams.
  2. Read the ingredients and allergen information in full, particularly for gelatine, milk, soya and wheat.
  3. Compare nutritional values per 100 grams and consider how many portions the pack contains.
  4. Check the storage conditions and best-before date on the packaging.
  5. For imported products, always check the label on the packaging delivered; information on a website may change.
  6. Choose a small pack to try a new flavour and a multipack for sharing snacks.

Looking for more options?

We have put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.

Frequently asked questions about Asian snacks and sweets

Which Asian snacks are suitable for sharing?

Large packs such as Haribo Happy Cherries 250 grams are practical for several people. For more variety, you can combine several smaller packs, such as Pocky, Meiji biscuits and small chocolate wafers. Check in advance that everyone can eat the listed allergens.

What should I look out for when buying gummy sweets?

Pay attention to gelatine, sugar content, colourings and possible allergens. Gummy sweets can taste fruity without containing much fruit, so check the ingredients list. Young children should be supervised, as small sweets can pose a choking hazard.

How should I store biscuits, wafers and sweets after opening?

Store snacks in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat or moisture. Close opened bags securely. This helps biscuits and wafers stay crisp for longer and prevents sweets from absorbing moisture too quickly. When in doubt, always follow the storage advice on the packaging.