Kari Kari Japanese Premium Snacks Review - 4 Flavors Reviewed
kari kari review

Kari Kari Japanese Premium Snacks Review – 4 Flavors Reviewed

Made with rice and roasted peanuts, are Kari Kari snacks, truly a guilt-free binge?

Why trust us?

Our reviews are research-based, and all trials and testings are conducted in-house over days and weeks. We have a strict no-free-sample policy to ensure our reviews are fair and impartial.

Mishry Rating

Taste
4 / 5
4
Crunch
4 / 5
4
Ingredients + Nutritional Quotient
3 / 5
3
3.67
GOOD!

Summary

Kari Kari Japanese Premium Snacks have an undeniably better nutrient profile and ingredient list when compared to other popular packaged snacks like chips. As indicated by the ratings, the flavor and crunch are remarkable. We liked Chilli Garlic best.

Packaged snacks are often predominantly filled with poor-quality oils and flours. 

Kari Kari, a relatively new entrant in the snack aisle, claims to be a ‘healthy’ and ‘guilt-free’ snack option prepared with rice and roasted peanuts. While this does sound like a good combination of the three macronutrient groups, our Kari Kari Japanese Premium snacks review scrutinizes the nutrition and ingredient labels. We also tested these on parameters like taste and texture.

Are these Japanese snacks worth a try?

Brand-provided information on the four Kari Kari Japanese Premium snacks variants are presented below. 

Related Products
*Based on Mishry's internal reviews and ratings
Kari Kari Japanese Premium Snacks Spice Mania Salt Pepper Wasabi Chilli Garlic
Price Rs 50/- Rs 50/- Rs 50/- Rs 50/-
Quantity 60 grams 60 grams 60 grams 60 grams
Mishry Rating 3.5 4 4 4
Buy Now  On Amazon On Amazon On Amazon On Amazon
Shelf Life One year One year One year One year

Our Review Factors

Here’s what we looked for during our Kari Kari Japanese Premium snacks review.

The crunch of the rice snacks, freshness of peanuts, and the flavor profiles- we were anticipated top-notch quality, as these snacks are priced relatively higher than other packaged snacks (chips etc) in the market.

How did Kari Kari fare?

1. Taste

We gauged seasoning levels, freshness, and flavor intensity. Does the overall flavor of the snack justify the flavor tag on the label? Is the intensity of the flavor subtle or strong? Individually, do the nuts taste fresh? Are the peanuts raw/unroasted? 

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2. Crunch

The crispy, crunchy bite is what makes snacks like these palatable. Do these ‘roasted’ snacks have a pronounced crunch?

3. Ingredients

What are the key sources of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins? Are these nutrient-dense? Would these ingredients be consumed otherwise? Does the brand specify the quantities? Does it contain artificial additives like colors, flavors, or preservatives? What did we find?

4. Other Parameters

Price

A 60-gram pack is priced at Rs 50/-.

Packaging

The brand suggests their snack packs are ideal for short work breaks/road trips. Is the packaging travel-friendly? Do they help retain freshness? 

Shelf Life

These have a shelf life of one year. 

Made using rajma and chana, these Cornitos Crusties are YUM!

Kari Kari Japanese Premium Snacks – Detailed Review

We reviewed four variants of Kari Kari Japanese Premium Snacks. Following are in-depth details from our review. 

All four variants had a similar packaging. The snacks are packed in a matte black plastic pouch that is non-resealable. 

1. Chilli Garlic

This Japanese snack is a blend of elongated but hollow, longer than pine nut-sized rice snacks. These also contain some halved, some whole peanuts that are peeled. While some were long in size, others were small and plump. The Chilli Garlic variant features a reddish hue.

The aroma is majorly nutty with undertones of garlicky warmth. There was also some oily aroma observed. 

The main ingredients are rice, roasted peanuts (35%), soy sauce (water, soybean, wheat, salt), edible common salt, dehydrated vegetable powder (garlic, onion), maltodextrin, sugar, spices and herbs, thickening agent (E1451), acidity regulator (E330), permitted natural color (E150a), emulsifier (E471), flavor enhancers (E627, E631). 

The peanuts have a mild crunch but the rice snacks have an intense one. That said, this bite of peanuts is not an indicator of freshness. The peanuts have the signature nutty taste and do not taste rancid. Salt levels are on point.

Labeled as bold and zesty, are these snacks anything like it? The rice snacks have a medium to high spice level and an aftertaste of garlic. This spice lingers on and when paired with peanuts, this makes for a REALLY tasty snack. We liked this variant the best. 

Taste- 4/5
Crunch- 4/5
Ingredients + Packaging- 3.5/5
kari kari chilli garlic
Our collective favorite!
  • The peanuts are fresh. 
  • Aroma is inviting.
  • The chilli and garlic flavors are apt. 
  • This has a desirable garlic aftertaste.
  • The spice and seasoning balance is well-rounded.
  • There was no oiliness observed.
  • It is free of cholesterol.
  • The crunch of peanuts is low.
  • This ‘healthy’ snack contains additives one would not consume otherwise.

Are you always looking for a spice kick in your snacks? Kari Kari Chilli Garlic may be for you.

2. Salt Pepper

Here, some black pepper specs were seen on the rice snacks. The peanuts were almost the same. However, this variant had unpeeled peanuts. The aroma is nutty.

This variant uses rice, roasted peanuts (35%), soy sauce (water, soybean, wheat, salt), edible common salt, dehydrated vegetable powder (garlic, onion), maltodextrin, sugar, spices and herbs (black pepper, chilli), hydrolyzed vegetable protein, thickening agent (E1451), acidity regulator (E330), permitted natural color (E150a), emulsifier (E471), flavor enhancers (E627, E631), and yeast extract. 

Just like the above variant, we got no complaints about the texture of the rice snack. The peanuts, however, could have been roasted for a longer duration to add a bolder crunch. This snack does not leave the palate or fingers feeling oily.

The balance of salt and pepper is impeccable! In addition to the black pepper spice, we tasted some red chilli heat with hits of sweetness. Since most snacks are prepared using wheat flour, the rice snacks lent a unique but desirable flavor. 

Taste- 4/5
Crunch- 4/5
Ingredients + Packaging- 3.5/5
kari kari salt pepper
The classic.
  • These contain 35% peanuts.
  • No oiliness on the palate/fingers.
  • Full marks on the salt-pepper balance.
  • There were hits of heat and sweetness.
  • Thumbs up for the innovation.
  • The crunch of peanuts is not bold. 
  • This uses maltodextrin which has a high GI.

Love the classic salt-pepper combination? Kari Kari does a brilliant job at this classic flavor pairing.

3. Wasabi

The packaging and aroma are identical to the above variants. The Wasabi variant had some green specs on the glossy-looking beige-colored rice snacks. Some were puffed, some were flat, but most were hollow.  

The main ingredients are rice, roasted peanuts (35%), soy sauce (water, soybean, wheat, salt), edible common salt, maltodextrin, sugar, herbs and condiments (onion powder, parsley, chilli), thickening agent (E1451), acidity regulator (E330), permitted natural color (E150a), emulsifier (E471), flavor enhancers (E627, E631), and yeast extract. 

Similar to our experience with the other Kari Kari Japanese Premium snacks variants, the crunch of peanuts is less than that of the rice snacks. That said, among the range, the Wasabi variant had the crunchiest peanuts. The bold crispiness of the rice snack was spot-on.

Wasabi, also known as Japanese horseradish, primarily has a pungent flavor profile. This was reflected fairly well in the rice snack. A strong pungency was paired with pops of spicy and sweet flavors. 

That said, the peanuts did not have the Wasabi flavor, they were only salted. Therefore, though the Wasabi flavor may feel strong or overwhelming, when munched on with the peanuts, the flavors are balanced and desirable. 

Taste- 4/5
Crunch- 4/5
Ingredients + Packaging- 3.5/5
kari kari wasabi
The Wasabi pungency is reflected well.
  • The rice snacks are CRISP.
  • The characteristic pungency of wasabi is well displayed.
  • The flavor profile is strong and palatable.
  • When paired with peanuts, the wasabi punch reduces a little and makes a lip-smacking snack.
  • This variant had the crunchiest peanuts.
  • The additives are not ideal for frequent consumption.

The classic sushi flavor in a snack? You may want to try Kari Kari in Wasabi. 

4. Spice Mania

The packaging and appearance are more or less the same- mustard yellow and glossy.

A desirable aroma that resembles roasted nuts was observed. 

This variant uses rice, roasted peanuts (35%), soy sauce (water, soybean, wheat, salt), edible common salt, maltodextrin, sugar, spices and condiments (chilli, coriander, onion, cumin, turmeric, ginger, fennel, fenugreek, black pepper), thickening agent (E1451), acidity regulator (E330), tomato powder, permitted natural color (E150a), emulsifier (E471), flavor enhancers (E627, E631), and yeast extract. 

In terms of texture, the peanuts were marginally under roasted. They lacked the characteristic crisp bite. That said, this lack of crunch does not impact the taste. The rice snack, on the other hand, showcased a bold crunch that we liked! 

Taste-wise, the peanuts have a subtle salt seasoning.  The overall balance of salt (when peanuts are eaten with the rice snack) is quite good. All-in-all, this variant features a light spicy, tangy and slightly sweet flavor profile. The spice level was moderate, which is surprising as this is called ‘Spice Mania’.

Taste- 3.5/5
Crunch- 4/5
Ingredients + Packaging- 3.5/5
kari kari spice mania
The final variant we tasted.
  • The rice snacks are fresh and crunchy. 
  • These are tasty.
  • It is a roasted, refined flour-free snack.
  • The peanuts do not have a bold crunch, they are under roasted.
  • Considering this is labeled as ‘spice mania’, this isn’t spicy at all.

A slight tang, some spiciness, and a hit of sweetness- looking for a snack with an all-rounded flavor profile? May we suggest Spice Mania by Kari Kari?

While Kari Kari snacks do use artificial additives, these still make for a better snacking option as the base ingredients (rice and peanuts) are more nutrient-dense as opposed to potatoes/starch. Moreover, these are roasted and not fried.
Kari Kari snacks are significantly lower in calories than the snacks we regularly see/consume. Although there is not a lot of difference in the carbohydrate content, Kari Kari offers more protein and less fat than an average pack of potato chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some interesting FAQs on Kari Kari Japanese Premium snacks

Kari Kari snacks have a decent balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. But, as usual, we advise consuming packaged food items mindfully as they contain additives like preservatives, colors, and other agents that one would not consume otherwise.

Yes, if you prefer snacking on something savory and nutty, Kari Kari snacks would be a good option.

The Chilli Garlic and Wasabi variants are spicy, but when eaten with peanuts, this heat is balanced out. 

Yes, all variants contain acidity regulator E330 (citric acid) which is used as a preservative.

These do not contain any added oil and one 30-gram serve offers 4.2 grams of protein.

Final Words

After the data collection, tasting, and most importantly, analyzing the ingredient and nutritional labels, Mishry quite liked Kari Kari Japanese Premium Snacks. Not only are these roasted and marginally lower in calories (100 grams of potato chips have 590-600 Kcal, Kari Kari has under 470 Kcal), but these aren’t fully carbohydrates and fats, like packaged snacks usually are. 

That said, if only these had crunchier peanuts and not as many additives, we would have given it a higher rating. 

Have you tried Japanese dishes/snacks before? Did you savor the flavors?

Our reviews are unbiased and all samples used during the reviews were paid for by us. Read our entire ethics statement here.

 

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