Can you recommend?
Posted by bleubop@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 22 comments
I have a friend visiting home in America and they graciously offered to bring me back some things. I’m not American so I’d like to get some fun stuff to try. The selection here in Japan and in my home country is not as extensive as America has so I’m excited to try some new things.
I’m looking for recommendations on what to ask for, specifically protein based stuff but other snacks/food is okay.
Meat/plant products can’t be brought into Japan where we’re at so please avoid those. Thanks!
GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit
Hot sauces.
NoFanksYou@reddit
Quest protein chips are good. I haven’t tried their other products but they have cookies and bars too
ObjectiveElefant@reddit
Second quest protein chips. I only like the tortilla style ones though.
Unique protein bars are Built Puf. They’re like chocolate covered marshmallows. Now the brand has sour protein bars. I’ve never tried.
There’s protein everything. Protein pasta, mac and cheese, cookies (Lenny and Larry’s are really good but they’re basically like eating a real cookie with a little added protein. Not exactly healthier alternative or anything). Magic spoon protein cereal, kashi go protein/fiber cereal (peanut butter is the best imo), Catalina crunch protein/fiber cereal, cookies, snack mix. Pop tarts now make a protein version. Of course there are tons of protein powders.
Most protein snacks are basically junk, but they’re a fun way to add protein!
I recommend Reese’s take 5 for candy. I don’t know if you have them there, but I like them because they are both salty and sweet, so the sweetness isn’t as overwhelming.
Penguin_Life_Now@reddit
What sort of food is not based on meat or plants
bleubop@reddit (OP)
No sorry I meant actual meat products like jerky or seeds.
shessocold1969@reddit
I know seeds aren’t usually allowed because nonnative species become invasive. I had to dump an apple once on the way to Costa Rica.
Drew707@reddit
I thought Californian ag checks were somewhat performative, but Mexico is straight militant about outside fruits and veggies in the airport.
burlingk@reddit
Also, there is no meat or plant part in OP's message, so it may have been edited a little.
burlingk@reddit
Honestly, most prepackaged junkfood will make it through customs ok.
Chips, candy, and such.
Baked goods can be a bit more complicated.
Stuff in jars/bottles mostly just have to make sure they are in the right luggage (checked vs carry on).
Extension_Abroad6713@reddit
Ranch
turquoise_amethyst@reddit
+10 Midwest points
samosamancer@reddit
There’s a grocery store called Trader Joe’s that has somewhat unique food. It’s a popular place among my friends to load up on omiyage ahead of visiting friends in Japan. Typically cookies, chocolates, etc.
One time, I brought blocks of cheese for my American friends living in Japan. :) The plastic cheese slices available in depachika grocery stores really do not cut it, lol.
America has a bit of everything, and American hegemony = our more famous snacks are available around the world, so it can be hard to identify “unique American snacks.”
If your friend can keep them frozen in transit, what about plant-based proteins, fake meats, etc.? Those are very rare in Japan. Otherwise, I think the main “unique” meat is buffalo meet or venison/deer meat.
shessocold1969@reddit
Good idea. I bring cookie butter to friends in Hawaii.
AdSafe7627@reddit
Fresh meat and produce importation is banned in MOST countries, not just Japan.
Typical American foods that you might not be able to get in Japan could be:
COOKIES: Oreos, Nutter Butters, or (Girl Scout Cookies) Thin Mints. Possibly focus on novelty Oreo flavors that aren’t sold outside the US.
Chips: Doritos (Cool Ranch or Nacho Cheese), FunYuns, Pringles.
Beef Jerkies (individually-wrapped dried meat sticks)
Peanut Butter. Marshmallow fluff. Sweetened breakfast cereals (like Trix or Lucky Charms)
Candy bars —Watchamacallits, Fifth Avenue, and Clark Bars don’t seem to be sold much outside the US. Also, specialty flavors of many of our candies (Reese’s, M&M’s, etc) don’t get exported.
We also have some weird gum flavors. Mostly bubble gum flavors. Hubba Bubba and Bubblicious especially. But also some weird chewing gum flavors. Teaberry. Clove. Juicy Fruit.
ForeverSquirrelled42@reddit
Clark’s Teaberry gum is awesome! Teaberry anything, really…if you like the taste of pepto, that is.
turquoise_amethyst@reddit
What city are they visiting? Certain items are more easily sourced in some places another’s. Also there’s local favorites!
bleubop@reddit (OP)
They are from Florida not sure where exactly.
MewMewTranslator@reddit
I used to work for an airline. I assume what you actually mean is that no actual meat or plants are allowed through customs?
So processed foods like chips, cookies, candy and drinks should be okay?
For anyone else reading this that means beef jerky is not allowed. Because it's only dried. Same goes for things like banana chips. No dried foods.
bleubop@reddit (OP)
Yes! Thank you, it was confusing😅
BoBoBearDev@reddit
Powe Crunch protein waffer bar is has amazing taste and it is packed with protine.
Nature Valley honey oat has incredible taste. Nature Valley in general has the best taste, everything taste natural. No fake taste.
QuirkyCookie6@reddit
I think protein bars would fit your requirements, we do have quite the selection here. Why protein?
DharmaCub@reddit
You want protein and snack that arent made from meat or plants?