rice cracker
snack
soy sauce

Rice Crackers - Classic

2023-10-24

Quick Fact

Senbei, okaki, and arare are all traditional forms of Japanese rice crackers. From hand-baked specialty senbei crafted at 150-year-old shops to everyday snacks found in any convenience store, you'll find options for every taste — savory, sweet, or spicy — whether you're choosing a personal favorite or a thoughtful gift.

Freshly Baked

At traditional shops, artisans turn rice crackers over charcoal fires as many as a hundred times to achieve the perfect golden finish. You can't miss these little storefronts tucked along the alleys — the fragrant soy-sauce aroma practically pulls you in. As evening settles in, white smoke drifts from the chimney. People walking by pause without thinking, drawn in by the scent. It's the first sign of the winter preparations at a senbei shop.

The charcoal burns at nearly 800°C or 1470°F. The crackers are pressed close to the heat and slowly roasted on both sides. Knowing the exact moment...

The Origin of Today's Senbei

During the Meiji period, an elderly woman named Osen ran a small teahouse in Sōka (present-day Saitama Prefecture). She sold dango, soft, chewy rice balls, but any unsold leftovers were simply thrown into the river.

One day, a visiting soldier offered a practical idea:“Why not flatten the dango, grill them, and sell them instead?”Osen tried it. The crisp, round treats quickly became popular, and this humble experiment is considered the origin of today's round senbei. The name also reflects this beginning: "bei" comes from mochi, and "mochi by Osen" became senbei.

Memories of crunchy snacks

From my earliest memories, our pantry was always stocked with okaki and senbei—my mother's favorites in particular. Finding a truly tasty rice cracker now still makes me think of her, and I can't help but want to share it with her.

Shrimp-Flavored Rice Crackers on Display

Zarame (Coarse-Sugar Coated) Rice Crackers on Display