Umaibo Guide: All 11 Flavors Ranked

If dagashi had a mascot, it would be Umaibo. This puffed corn stick has been Japan's most beloved cheap snack since 1979, and it comes in a dizzying number of flavors. But which ones are actually worth trying?

We tasted all 11 standard flavors and ranked them. Here's the verdict.

The Top Tier

#1 — Corn Potage The undisputed champion. Creamy, savory, and perfectly captures the taste of Japanese corn soup. This is the flavor that converts skeptics into Umaibo fans.

#2 — Cheese Rich, cheesy, and satisfying. Think of a lighter, crunchier version of a cheese puff. Simple but perfect.

#3 — Mentai (Spicy Cod Roe) A uniquely Japanese flavor that's spicy, savory, and slightly fishy in the best way possible. This one's for the adventurous eaters.

The Solid Middle

#4 — Takoyaki Tastes surprisingly like actual takoyaki (octopus balls) from a street vendor. Sweet and savory with a hint of sauce flavor.

#5 — Teriyaki Burger Sweet and smoky. Like someone figured out how to compress a teriyaki burger into a corn stick. It works better than you'd expect.

#6 — Chicken Curry Warm curry spice with a mild sweetness. A comfort food flavor that's easy to love.

#7 — Salami Smoky and meaty. It's like beef jerky met a corn puff. Interesting and addictive.

#8 — Tonkatsu Sauce Sweet, tangy sauce flavor. If you've ever had Japanese tonkatsu, you'll recognize this immediately.

The Acquired Taste Tier

#9 — Natto Fermented soybean flavor. Love it or hate it — there's no middle ground. If you're a natto fan, you'll appreciate the accuracy.

#10 — Sugar Rusk A sweet outlier in a mostly savory lineup. Tastes like cinnamon sugar toast. Not bad, but feels out of place.

#11 — Chocolate Sweet chocolate coating on a corn puff. It's fine, but compared to the savory flavors, it doesn't stand out.

The Takeaway

Start with Corn Potage, Cheese, and Mentai. If you like those, work your way down the list. Every flavor in our Seasonal Surprise Box is selected based on what our customers love most.

Try Umaibo and 24 other dagashi snacks in one box. Order your Seasonal Surprise Box → https://fujitime-japan.com/products/seasonal-surprise-box