The Best Afternoon Snacks Are Calbee Shrimp Chips

If you’ve never tried Calbee Shrimp Chips, you’re missing out! These delectable crunchy, fry-shaped chips are highly addictive – you can ask anyone. Calbee's chips have made a big impact in Japan and North America. Look on any Asian grocery store shelves, and you'll see bags of this tasty afternoon snack ready for purchase. Below, you'll find information on this delicious Asian food and why they're a popular snack item.

What Are Calbee Shrimp Chips?

These shrimp chips have a long history dating back to 1964 when they were first released. They were met with immediate popularity in Japan. These chips were initially created from freshly caught shrimp combined with a wheat flour dough, dried, baked, and then sold.

These Kappa Ebisen, aka shrimp chips, continue to be made from real shrimp, wheat flour, salt, and flavoring that brings any Calbee Shrimp chip lover back to their childhood.

What Do They Taste Like?

Shrimp chips are everything you want in a snack; they're salty, slightly sweet, and offer the perfect amount of shrimp flavor. Don't expect an overwhelming seafood taste in these chips. Instead, you'll find a more subtle shrimp taste that perfectly accents the rest of the seasoning.

The Calbee Shrimp Chips: Original flavor is always a winner, though, over the years, Calbee has developed additional flavors that range from spicy chips to other savory flavors.

These flavors are specific to Japan and include options like Calbee Shrimp Chips: Wasabi,

Calbee Shrimp Chips: Yuzu Pepper,

and Calbee Shrimp Chips: Hot Garlic.

Each variation perfectly accents the delicious shrimp taste, creating a unique snack.

Why Are Calbee Shrimp Chips So Popular?

There are multiple reasons these Japanese snacks are so popular. For one, it’s a nostalgic treat for many who grew up eating this shrimp-flavored snack in their school lunches. Beyond nostalgia, the flavor is different from most snacks found in grocery stores, making it a fun treat to enjoy.

They're also not as greasy or heaving as other chips, making them a lighter yet crispy snack.

What Can You Pair With These Shrimp Chips?

If you've recently purchased a bag (or a few bags of shrimp chips, we're not judging!), you might be wondering what to eat with this salty treat. Of course, you can eat it plain for an afternoon snack or during a movie marathon. However, there are other options if you want to jazz it up a bit and include it in other meals! Grab your Calbee Shrimp Chips: Party Size and get ready for some fun shrimp chip options.

Use Them as a Soup Topper

Have a favorite soup that you want to give an extra pop of flavor to? Try using crunched-up bits of your favorite shrimp chips over a soup, like Nongshim Tempura Udon Noodle Cup Soup. It perfectly accents most soup flavors and gives a delicious subtle seafood taste.

Pair Them With A Candy

Sweet and salty is a notorious flavor combination. Pair it with your favorite candy or sweet like UHA Mikakuto Puchao Gummy Candy: Mango

or Nestle Japan Japanese Kit Kat: Cheesecake for a delicious snack option that gives you the best of both worlds.

Top Them With Chili Oil

Yes, Calbee is a Japanese company, and Ning Chi La You Spicy Oil is a type of Chinese chili oil. However, they pair delightfully well together. Drizzle some chili oil on top of your chips for a spicy, unbeatable snack. 

Add Crunch To Tinned Fish

Tinned fish over rice is the ultimate meal with a salty, savory seafood flavor. Take it to the next level by using Iwate Sanma Kabayaki (canned saury fish), rice, and your favorite flavor of shrimp tips for some added crunch and additional seafood flavor.

Add Them to BBQ Beef