Kikori-no-Kirikabu Review – Japanese Snack by Bourbon
Introduction
This article reviews Kikori-no-Kirikabu, one of the chocolate snacks that has been widely accepted in Japan since its release in 1986.
Packaging
The bearded man standing in the center of the package, more noticeable than the snack itself, is known as Kikori-no-Ojisan, and his real name is unknown.
According to the character relationship chart, he is the best friend of Choco A~n Pan Ojisan.
He also has other friends such as bears, rabbits, and birds...Um... are there any other people?
The thing is, he has a minion, but they’re not even human. They’re, well... hamburgers.
I’ll introduce that hamburger separately another time.
Since the bread made by Choco A~n Pan Ojisan is baked using firewood cut by Kikori-no-Ojisan, they can be considered to have a cooperative relationship.
He is described as having a cheerful and easygoing personality, and according to official information, he is also good at singing.
Kikori-no-Ojisan also went through a redesign in 2013. His beard was slightly trimmed, giving him a younger appearance, and his facial expression seems a bit gentler.
The main focus, however, is not him, but the tree stumps shown around him, which are the snack itself.
The structure consists of chocolate forming the bark and roots, while the inner rings are made of biscuit.
Each piece of chocolate has a slightly different shape, which is said to be intentional by the developers.
Although it may seem like a small detail, this difference is quite important to me.
The uneven shapes prevent visual boredom and add variety.
A perfectly uniform structure tends to make defects or broken shapes feel like flaws, but in this case, the irregular shapes become part of each piece’s individuality.
When I opened the box, there was a spot-the-difference puzzle printed on the inside of the lid.
There are differences between the left and right images, and the idea is to find them and enjoy the game.
The answers are printed on the bottom of the box, underneath where the snack bag is placed, so you can check them after finishing the snack.
This Kikori-no-Kirikabu also offers additional entertainment online, such as downloadable puzzles and coloring pages, making it enjoyable beyond just eating.
Taste & Texture
The appearance matches the package, and when I picked one up, I could see the attention to detail even in the bark pattern.
When I tried it, the biscuit with whole wheat turned out to be much crispier than expected.
It has a distinctive texture, with a slight graininess from the whole wheat, while still maintaining a light and stable structure.
As the slightly sweet chocolate begins to melt, it blends with the biscuit.
Then, unexpectedly, a hint of salt appears, creating a combination of three flavors.
This subtle saltiness seems to be embedded within the biscuit.
It feels like small particles remain rather than being fully dissolved into the dough, and this works as a bridge between the chocolate and the roasted whole wheat biscuit.
Being able to bring out this level of detail while keeping the product affordable really shows Bourbon’s strength.
Quick Review
Product Information
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional values per box (66 g):
Energy: 354 kcal
Protein: 5.3 g
Fat: 20.7 g
Saturated Fat: 11.3 g
Carbohydrates: 37.6 g
Sugar: 35.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.8 g
Salt Equivalent: 0.3 g
Calcium: 215 mg
Ingredients
Wheat flour (manufactured in Japan)
Sugar
Whole milk powder
Vegetable oils and fats
Cacao mass
Lactose
Shortening
Wheat
Whole wheat flour
Wheat bran
Starch
Salt
Additives
Calcium phosphate
Emulsifier (soy derived)
Leavening agent
Flavoring
Vitamin D
Allergens
Milk
Wheat
Soy
Product Classification
Name: Semi-chocolate confectionery
Net weight: 66 g
Storage Instructions
Store in a cool, dry place below 28°C and avoid direct sunlight.
After opening, consume as soon as possible.
Purchase Location
It is available for sale at various mass retailers and convenience stores nationwide.
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