The History of Bisco: Japan’s 90-Year-Old Snack

Some snacks come and go. Bisco has been around since 1933 — and it’s still going strong. Made by Glico (the same company behind Pocky), Bisco is a cream-filled biscuit that has been a childhood staple in Japan for over 90 years.

How It Started

Bisco was originally created as a nutritious snack for children during a time when Japan was focused on improving child health. The name “Bisco” comes from “biscuit” and “kobo” (yeast) — because the original recipe contained yeast, which was considered healthy at the time.

The iconic red package with a smiling child has barely changed since the 1930s. Generations of Japanese people grew up seeing that same face on the package — their parents ate it, their grandparents ate it, and now they feed it to their own kids.

What Makes Bisco Special

The concept is simple: two thin biscuits sandwiching a layer of cream. But the execution is perfect. The biscuits are light and crispy. The cream is smooth and just sweet enough. And the whole thing dissolves in your mouth in the most satisfying way.

Modern Bisco comes in several varieties — original, strawberry, and matcha — but the classic cream flavor remains the bestseller.

Bisco also contains lactic acid bacteria (similar to what you find in yogurt), which Glico markets as a health benefit. Whether or not that matters to you, it’s a nice touch that connects back to the snack’s original health-focused mission.

Cultural Impact

Bisco is more than just a snack in Japan. It’s a symbol of reliability and nostalgia. It’s included in emergency disaster kits because of its long shelf life. It’s given to children on their first day of school. It’s the snack that every Japanese person can point to and say, “I grew up with that.”

In a country obsessed with new product launches and limited editions, Bisco’s ability to stay relevant for 90+ years is remarkable.

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