Choco A~n Pan Review – Japanese Snack by Bourbon
This article reviews Choco A~n Pan, a snack made by Bourbon that has been enjoyed for many years since its release in 1986.
Although it looks like bread, it is actually a snack.
Explaining the name of this product in English while also keeping the Japanese meaning turned out to be surprisingly complicated. The more I tried to write about it, the harder it became to explain clearly.
The reason will probably become clear as you read.
Packaging
The origin of the name comes from Anpan, a traditional Japanese sweet bread.
In Anpan, the word “An” refers to a sweet paste usually made from boiled red beans or sometimes sweet potatoes.
However, this snack does not contain that paste. Instead, it contains chocolate.
In Japan, bread is called “pan.”
This snack is bread-like, but it is not actually Anpan. The developers originally considered calling it something like A-npan, but they instead used the sound “A~n,” which represents the sound people make when opening their mouth wide to eat something.
By replacing the bean paste with chocolate and using the “A~n” expression, the name became Choco A~n Pan.
(The explanation above also refers to information written on the official website.)
By the way, symbols such as “ー” or “～” in Japanese are often used to indicate that the previous vowel sound should be stretched when spoken.
The explanation may sound
complicated, but this product created through Bourbon’s creativity has
continued to be loved by many people.
On the front of the package, it says:
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Contains calcium and vitamin D
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This product uses a small amount of liquor
There is also a cute character printed on the box.
This character is called A~npan Ojisan.
The Japanese word “Ojisan” usually translates to “uncle”
in English when referring to a relative. Since I am not related to him,
I would normally describe him as something like a man or a guy.
Close up of A~npan Ojisan character printed on the package.
Close up of A~npan Ojisan character printed on the package.
However, calling this character a “guy” feels a little strange to me because of how cute he looks.
I could call him A~npan Man, but that name reminds people in Japan of a very famous children’s hero with a similar name.
For that reason, it may be best to simply keep the original name and call him A~npan Ojisan.
This is a good example of how a product that is perfectly easy to understand in Japanese can become surprisingly difficult to explain in English.
Now, back to the snack itself.
Inside the Package
However, calling this character a “guy” feels a little strange to me because of how cute he looks.
I could call him A~npan Man, but that name reminds people in Japan of a very famous children’s hero with a similar name.
For that reason, it may be best to simply keep the original name and call him A~npan Ojisan.
This is a good example of how a product that is perfectly easy to understand in Japanese can become surprisingly difficult to explain in English.
Now, back to the snack itself.
Taste & Texture
When I opened the box and took the snack out, it really looked like tiny pieces of bread.
They have a soft texture and a lightly roasted aroma, and the bread itself already tastes good.
According to the official website, these are baked using yeast fermentation just like real bread, and they are described as the world’s smallest bread (according to Bourbon).
The chocolate inside is slightly sweet and soft, designed to blend well with the bread dough.
When I cut one piece in half, I could see that the chocolate filling was packed inside.
The combination of the soft bite-sized bread and the mild chocolate filling creates a snack that remains enjoyable even after eating several pieces.
There are also various flavors and
versions of Choco A~n Pan released from time to time, so it will be
interesting to keep an eye on them.
Quick Review
Product Information
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional values per box (40 g):
Energy: 181 kcal
Protein: 3.5 g
Fat: 8.1 g
Saturated Fat: 3.6 g
Carbohydrates: 24.0 g
Sugar: 22.9 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.1 g
Salt Equivalent: 0.2 g
Calcium: 175 mg
Vitamin D: 1.6 μg
Ingredients
Wheat flour (manufactured in Japan)
Sugar
Shortening
Cacao mass
Whole milk powder
Margarine (contains milk)
Cocoa powder
Whole liquid egg
Yeast
Processed edible oils (contains wheat)
Lactose
Liquor
Puff grains
Salt
Egg white
Syrup
Additives
Sorbitol
Eggshell calcium
Alcohol
Emulsifier (soy derived)
Flavoring (milk derived)
Yeast food
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Coloring (carotene)
Allergens
Milk
Egg
Wheat
Soy
Product Classification
Name: Semi-chocolate confectionery
Net weight: 40 g
Storage Instructions
A small alcohol-based preservative packet is included in the package to maintain freshness.
Please remove and discard the packet after opening.
Do not eat the preservative.
For small children or elderly people who may have difficulty chewing, it is recommended to cut the snack into smaller pieces and supervise them while eating to prevent choking.
Purchase Location
It can be purchased at mass retailers, convenience stores, and other retail stores nationwide.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
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