As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I traveled to Japan last year and indulged in a wide variety of local products. If you've been following my blog for years, you likely know how much I adore Kitano Ace (北野エース), a specialty grocery store that carries an extensive selection of unique and hard-to-find foods.
You can check out my previous Kitano Ace entries:
- Japanese Grocery Haul - 7 Products I Purchased at Donki and Kitano Ace in Japan
Japanese Grocery Haul – What I Purchased at Supermarket, Department Stores, and Kitano Ace in Japan
Japanese Grocery Haul – 7 Products My Husband Purchased at Kitano Ace in Japan
For those already well-versed in Japanese cuisine and looking for specialty products that aren’t commonly found in regular supermarkets, Kitano Ace is an absolute treasure trove. The store boasts numerous branches across Japan, including 14 locations in Tokyo. This time, we visited the Kitano Ace located in Hakata Hankyu, a well-known department store in Fukuoka. Today, I’m excited to share five fantastic products I discovered there.
1. Kyushu Sweet Potato Chips, Kyushu Satsuma Chips (九州さつまチップス)
Japanese Sweet Potato Chips
Purchased for 259 yen each at Kitano Ace in Hakata Hankyu department store in Fukuoka
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| Kyushu Sweet Potato Chips, Kyushu Satsuma Chips (九州さつまチップス) |
These are my absolute favorite Japanese sweet potato snacks from Kitano Ace. The chips were delightfully sweet and incredibly crunchy—I couldn’t get enough! I’ll definitely be stocking up again when I return to Japan.
2. Nadaman Mozzarella Cheese Rice Crackers, Nadaman Cream Cheese Okaki (なだ万 モッツァレラしっとり煎餅)
mozzarella cheese & wasabi flavor rice crackers
Purchased for 260 yen each at Kitano Ace in Hakata Hankyu department store in Fukuoka
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| Nadaman Mozzarella Cheese Rice Crackers, Nadaman Cream Cheese Okaki (なだ万 モッツァレラしっとり煎餅) |
One of my favorite rice crackers comes from Nadaman (なだ万), a renowned high-end Japanese restaurant founded in 1830. In addition to their exquisite cuisine, Nadaman offers bento boxes and side dishes at depachika (デパ地下), the delicatessen section typically found on the underground floors of department stores in Japan. (As I mentioned in my previous entry, depachika refers to these gourmet food halls.)
This particular snack features plenty of small, puffy cheese rice crackers—each bite is packed with crunch and flavor! If you ever find yourself at Kitano Ace, I highly recommend giving this one a try.
3. Hokkai Scallops Furikake with Burnt Soy Sauce (ゴロっと北海ホタテの焦がし醤油ふりかけ)
Rice Seasoning
Purchased for 599 yen each at Kitano Ace in Hakata Hankyu department store in Fukuoka
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| Hokkai Scallops Furikake with Burnt Soy Sauce (ゴロっと北海ホタテの焦がし醤油ふりかけ) |
While browsing Kitano Ace, we came across a display showcasing the top three rice seasonings—furikake (ふりかけ). The number-one ranked variety was Hokkai Scallops Furikake with Burnt Soy Sauce (ゴロっと北海ホタテの焦がし醤油ふりかけ), and we simply couldn’t resist giving it a try.
This furikake was packed with dried scallops, offering a rich umami flavor and deep savoriness. It tasted absolutely incredible—so indulgent, in fact, that it almost felt too luxurious for a simple rice topping!
4. Sliced Squid and Kombu Kelp Seaweed Flakes, Ika Kombu (いか昆布)
Rice Seasoning
Purchased for 480 yen at Kitano Ace in Hakata Hankyu department store in Fukuoka
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| Sliced Squid and Kombu Kelp Seaweed Flakes, Ika Kombu (いか昆布) |
Ranked number two among the best rice seasonings at Kitano Ace, Sliced Squid and Kombu Kelp Seaweed Flakes—Ika Kombu (いか昆布), which is a true standout. Having purchased it before, we already knew how much we loved this furikake, so seeing its ranking only reinforced our appreciation for it.
Not only is Ika Kombu a Kitano Ace favorite, but it has also won the Gold Medal at the National Furikake Grand Prix in Japan—a testament to its incredible flavor and quality. Paired with steamed rice, it’s an absolute delight, bringing a perfect balance of umami richness to each bite. I’ll definitely be picking up another pack on my next trip to Japan!
5. Shiso Wakame (しそわかめ)
Rice Seasoning
Purchased for 425 yen at Kitano Ace in Hakata Hankyu department store in Fukuoka
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| Shiso Wakame (しそわかめ) |
Ranked third among the best rice seasonings at Kitano Ace, Shiso Wakame (しそわかめ) offers a unique twist on traditional furikake. While Yukari (ゆかり) furikake typically consists of dried shiso leaves, this variety is moist and combines both shiso leaves and wakame seaweed, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
According to the company behind this furikake, Shiso Wakame was inspired by the culinary traditions of Yamaguchi Prefecture, where regional ingredients play a significant role in local cuisine.
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