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In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

nytimes.com

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Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#11

Post by noir_lord »

Isamu wrote: post #8
yohann305 wrote: post #2

I'm surprised to see this on the first page of HN. I'm trying really hard to see how this could belong here. Anyone care to explain?! thanks

You don't eat Kit Kats while hacking? Time for a survey: what is your go-to hacking snack or drink?

Black coffee with a touch of honey.

Raisins.

Bland but doesn't upset my stomach.

Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#12

Post by dforrestwilson »

tokyodude wrote: post #9

This is just my personal observation with no data but AFAICT Kit Kat is *mostly" for tourists here in Japan. If there's an obsession it seems to me it's tourists buying them. I could be wrong but I've never personally seen Japanese people buying them (of course they must, just saying that I haven't noticed). I just walked over to 3 convenience stores that have a large candy selections. The 7/11 had no Kit Kats out of…

Spending 50% of my time in an investment office in Japan - at least one secretary I know loves Kit Kat and Reese’s

Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#13

Post by dforrestwilson »

emsy wrote: post #3

When I was in Japan I think I came back with 7 different flavours of KitKat. And they all (but one or so) tasted really good. It's too bad they aren't available elsewhere. Another type of Candy where the Japanese get creative with flavours are Pocky sticks. There's always a flavour you didn't try yet.

I have been pleasantly surprised with Japanese takes on American desserts and pastries. They tone down the sugar and elevate the texture and flavor imho.

Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#14

Post by JohnJamesRambo »

I always wondered what the back story is on that show about Kit Kats in Japan that is on Amazon Prime and now I know.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0779HX39G

It was a pretty good show, I liked it a lot. Seeing how they grow Wasabi, make 7-spice, etc. was really fascinating.

Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#16

Post by timr »

tokyodude wrote: post #9

This is just my personal observation with no data but AFAICT Kit Kat is *mostly" for tourists here in Japan. If there's an obsession it seems to me it's tourists buying them. I could be wrong but I've never personally seen Japanese people buying them (of course they must, just saying that I haven't noticed). I just walked over to 3 convenience stores that have a large candy selections. The 7/11 had no Kit Kats out of…

Same. Lived in Japan, rarely saw anyone outside of tourists buying them. Combinis and grocery stores hardly ever feature them (unless those stores get tourist traffic).

Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#17

Post by sexydefinesher »

Isamu wrote: post #8
yohann305 wrote: post #2

I'm surprised to see this on the first page of HN. I'm trying really hard to see how this could belong here. Anyone care to explain?! thanks

You don't eat Kit Kats while hacking? Time for a survey: what is your go-to hacking snack or drink?

Club Mate and Cheez Crunchers

Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#18

Post by Raphmedia »

yohann305 wrote: post #2

I'm surprised to see this on the first page of HN. I'm trying really hard to see how this could belong here. Anyone care to explain?! thanks

I believe that HN readers also have a special place in their heart for Japanese snacks after those articles got trending:

https://www.candyjapan.com/behind-the-scenes/algorithmic-fit...

https://www.candyjapan.com/behind-the-scenes/how-many-lines-...

Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#19

Post by vanwalj »

tokyodude wrote: post #9

This is just my personal observation with no data but AFAICT Kit Kat is *mostly" for tourists here in Japan. If there's an obsession it seems to me it's tourists buying them. I could be wrong but I've never personally seen Japanese people buying them (of course they must, just saying that I haven't noticed). I just walked over to 3 convenience stores that have a large candy selections. The 7/11 had no Kit Kats out of…

Same observation here, before my first trip I expected Kit Kat to be huge there

Re: In Japan, the Kit Kat Isn’t Just a Chocolate

#20

Post by amyjess »

If you enjoy reading about this kind of phenomenon, TV Tropes has a whole article on things that have developed huge cult followings in export markets but are considered rather pedestrian in the home market. It's titled "Germans Love David Hasselhoff".

https://tvtropes.org/Main/GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff

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