Discover new flavors from Japan! Canned snacks experience report

What is Canned Food? A new delicacy born from Japanese food culture

• Table of Contents
• A thorough report on the popular "canned snack" set
• Enjoy your own BANSHAKU time and travel memories with "Canned snacks"
• "Small treats" that add color to Japanese food culture
• Stress-free travel luggage delivery to your hotel or airport!

"Kantuma" is an abbreviation of "canned snacks to go with alcohol." This brand is produced by Kokubu Group Inc., a Japanese food and alcohol wholesaler with over 300 years of history, and is made with carefully selected ingredients and a special manufacturing process based on the concept that "the best thing about canned foods is that you can pop them open and eat them right away."

When I tried "Kantuma" for the first time, I was really surprised by its high quality. To be honest, when I think of "canned food," I imagine it to be convenient but with a so-so taste, but "Kantuma" was completely different. It had a deep flavor that made the most of the flavor of the ingredients, just like the food served at a proper restaurant or izakaya.

"Canned snacks" are the perfect item for the Japanese custom of "BANSHAKU" (evening drinks). BANSHAKU is a long-standing Japanese custom of relaxing at home or elsewhere and enjoying a small amount of alcohol and snacks after a day's work or activities. "Canned snacks" were created to make this BANSHAKU time more fulfilling and delicious.

There are various series of "Cantuma". "Cantuma" is a basic series that can be enjoyed casually. The "Cantuma Smoke" series uses ingredients that have been carefully smoked to a fragrant finish, and goes perfectly with whiskey and highballs. In addition, there is the "Cantuma Kiwami" series, which uses the highest quality domestic ingredients in a luxurious manner, making it a veritable treasure trove of Japanese delicacies. Another attraction is the wide range of meat, seafood, vegetables, and more.

A thorough report on the popular "canned snack" set

This time, to allow everyone to easily enjoy the various flavors of Japan, we ordered a popular "canned snacks" set from the ROJI Nihonbashi ONLINE STORE and tried it out for ourselves.

The items we sampled this time were the "Hisui" set of 13 popular canned snacks, aimed at those who want to try a variety of different items, and the "Evening Drinks Set made with Japanese ingredients," aimed at those who want to try a few different items.

Tasting of the popular 13-can canned snack set "Hisui"

When I opened the box, I was greeted by a colorful array of packaging! Just looking at them got me imagining what they would taste like, and I got really excited. With 13 varieties, it's fun to try a little bit of each different flavor every day. This set contained a wide variety of "canned snacks," including meat and seafood. I've picked out a few of them and will be sharing my tasting report!

"Hiroshima Prefecture smoked oysters marinated in oil"

The moment you open the can, the mouthwatering aroma of smoked food fills the air. Large Hiroshima oysters are carefully smoked with cherry wood chips and seasoned with seaweed salt. When you take a bite, the rich flavor of the oysters and the aroma of the smoked food fill your mouth. This is a luxurious snack for adults that goes perfectly with Japanese beer, as well as chilled white wine and slightly smoky whiskey.

"Domestic beef tendon stew"

This canned version of "beef tendon stew," a popular staple menu item at Japanese izakayas, is easily enjoyed. Domestic beef tendons and konjac are slowly stewed until tender in a sweet and spicy soy sauce-based sauce. The beef tendons are tender and full of collagen. The konjac is also well-seasoned, with a gentle sweetness and umami flavor in every bite. We recommend warming it up and savoring it slowly with Japanese sake or shochu.

"Grilled beef tongue with green onion and salt sauce"

The fragrantly grilled beef tongue is coated with a rich, flavorful green onion and salt sauce. The chewy yet soft texture of the beef tongue and the refreshing taste of the green onion and salt sauce create an exquisite balance. It's very delicious as is, but when heated, the green onion aroma is further enhanced and it tastes even better. This goes perfectly with the refreshing Japanese beer.

Tasting of Japanese ingredients for a drink

Next is the [Evening Drink Set with Domestic Ingredients]. This is a selection of canned snacks made with a focus on Japanese domestic ingredients. Canned goods made with the finest Japanese ingredients are perfect for adding color to your travel memories.

"Domestic grilled conger eel"

The conger eels used are caught domestically and are carefully grilled with sugar, specially selected soy sauce, and mirin. When you open the can, you are hit with the sweet and spicy aroma of the sauce that will whet your appetite. The conger eel is plump and soft, and the sweet and spicy sauce is thoroughly soaked into it. It has a rich flavor, almost like grilled eel, and is delicious as is, but I think it would be absolutely delicious to put it on top of warm rice to make an "anago donburi." It would go well with sweet Japanese sake or a strong white wine that stands up to the flavor of the sauce.

"Oil Sardines Caught in Japanese Waters"

These oil sardines are made with fresh sardines caught in the seas off Japan. They have a delicate and elegant taste that is unique to Japanese sardines and is different from oil sardines found overseas. You can enjoy them in a variety of ways, such as eating them as is, putting them on a baguette with the oil, or using them in pasta. There are also suggestions for recipes where you can use the sauce in rice balls, chilled noodles, or tofu salad, so they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They go well with light white wine, sparkling wine, and sake.

Each "canned snack" had an authentic taste that far exceeded the level of canned food I had imagined, and after tasting them, I realized once again that they are wonderful products that allow you to enjoy a part of Japanese food culture in an amazingly easy way.

Enjoy your own BANSHAKU time and travel memories with "Canned snacks"

The greatest appeal of "canned snacks" is their convenience and versatility. During your stay in Japan, there are nights when you want to relax in your hotel room. Or when you want to quickly refuel your tired body with delicious Japanese food. At times like these, if you have "canned snacks," you can quickly enjoy delicious snacks and your own BANSHAKU time.

Canned goods also make great souvenirs from your trip to Japan. They are small and easy to carry, and packed with the tastes of Japan, so you can experience Japan's banshaku culture with your family and friends while reminiscing about your trip even after you return home. There are many different types, so it's fun to choose one that suits the tastes of the person you're giving it to.

Find your own special BANSHAKU style by combining your favorite alcoholic beverage with canned snacks, including Japanese beer, sake, shochu, wine, and whiskey.

Sake tasting set of 3

A set of 5 aluminum sake cans for comparing different sake from around the country

Tokyo Sake Breweries 3-bottle set

"Small treats" that add color to Japanese food culture

Japanese "canned foods" are not just canned foods, but delicious and convenient "little treats" made with carefully selected Japanese ingredients, skilled manufacturing methods, and the Japanese BANSHAKU culture. The set we sampled this time is a collection we would especially recommend to those who want to try a variety of flavors little by little, or those who are interested in Japan's rich domestic ingredients.

Why not choose "canned snacks" as a memento of your stay in Japan, or as a unique gift for a special person? You are sure to discover the depth of Japanese food culture and the joy of easy-to-enjoy BANSHAKU.

Stress-free travel luggage delivery to your hotel or airport!

Good news for travelers from overseas! If you purchase these wonderful "canned snacks" from the designated site, they will be delivered directly to your hotel or airport! This is the best service for travelers who want to take home delicious memories from their last moments in Japan without having to worry about luggage.

Popular canned snacks 13-can set "Hisui"

Japanese ingredients evening drink set