Umaibo is one of the most classic Japanese snacks that has maintained its enormous popularity since it was released in 1979 by the renowned Japanese company Yoakin. In Japanese' Umaibo" means 'delicious stick,' and the naming could not have been more precise.
The must-try Umaibo flavor is Corn Portage, as it officially ranks as the number 1 Umaibo flavor in Japan. Yoakin has released 40 different flavors since 1979. However, there are 5 flavors that consumers in Japan have rated as the top flavors.
Every Umaibo Flavor is undeniably good, but since there are so many of them, we are going to introduce the top 5 Umaibo flavors as well as our honorable mentions!
What is Umaibo?
In Japanese, 'Umaibo' means 'delicious stick,' and the naming could not have been more precise. It is a delicious puffed corn snack in a cylindrical rod shape of about 11 cm. The Umaibo is packed with mouth-watering savory flavors and a crispy texture that starts as delightfully airy and crunchy when you take the first bit. It has been described to melt inside your mouth, slowly spreading the taste and the flavors.
Apart from its addictive yumminess, Umaibo has maintained its incredibly affordable price. It has held the price of 10 JPY since 1979! Umaibo is known for the versatility of its flavors. Forty different flavors have been released since it was introduced into the market. Each flavor comes in an eye-catching bright and colorful packaging, featuring Umaibo's mascot cat character 'Umaemon,' a fun spin on the name of a popular Japanese manga character 'Doraemon.'
Best Umaibo Flavors According To Yoakin Official Ranking
Umaibo, sold by the Japanese company Yaokin, and this is their official ranking of Umaibo flavors based on their popularity in Japan:
1. Umaibo Corn Potage Flavor
Corn Potage soup is a French-influenced Japanese corn soup that is rich, creamy, savory, and sweet. It is a prevalent dish in Japan, and every family boasts of their mother's secret corn-portage recipe. As you can guess, not only is this flavor addictively delicious, it also has a sentimental value in the hearts of Japanese snack lovers.
Umaibo Corn Potage flavor strongly resembles this dish with its deep and rich savory taste perfectly mellowed down by the sweetness of the corn and the nostalgia of childhood memories. Can this corn snack get any 'Cornier'?
Fun fact: According to Yaokin's official website, Umaibo Corn Potage flavor is not only the top-ranked Umaibo flavor; it also holds the prestigious status of being the most popular among all the snacks sold by Yaokin!
2. Umaoibo Cheese Flavor
Umaibo cheese flavor has a bold salty taste and a robust cheesy flavor, reminding you of Parmesan cheese.
Think of a giant rod-shaped Cheeto with extra cheesy powder sprinkled on top. Need we say more?
3. Umaibo Mentaiko (Seasoned Spicy Pollock/Cod Roe) Flavor
'Mentaiko' is a unique Japanese delicacy with a prominent place in Japanese cuisine. It is seasoned Pollock or Cod Roe, which has a salty and slightly spicy taste. The Umami of the fish roe and the mild spiciness makes a fantastic combination with the sweetness of the corn.
If you love spicy snacks, you should not miss the Umaibo Mentaiko.
4. Umaibo Yasai Salada (Vegetable Salad) Flavor
The 'Yasai Salada' translates to 'Vegetable Salad' - this typical flavor in Japanese savory snacks can be pretty deceptive. If you were not very excited by the thought of finding raw broccoli or kale flavors in your Umaibo snack, this is good news for you. Vegetable salad flavor in Japan is not about vegetables specifically. The flavor name refers to cooking oil, called 'vegetable oil" in Japan. So when you see Vegetable salad flavor think of a slightly salty and fried taste with the depth of Umami flavors.
5. Umaibo Takoyaki (Octapus Ball) Flavor
'Takoyaki' or 'Octopus Ball' is an iconic Japanese dish usually enjoyed as street food or festival food. It is made with diced octopus and is packed with traditional Japanese flavors. Umaibo Takoyaki flavor features the Umami-packed flavor of bonito flakes (used as a topping for Takoyaki) and the addictively good sweet and savory taste of soy-sauce based Takoyaki sauce. One bite of the Umaibo will take you straight back to a plate of Takoyaki you enjoyed on the streets of Japan.
Honorable Mentions
Although these flavors did not make it to the Yaokin's official ranking for the top five Umaibo flavors, these flavors are delicious and, at the same time, feature traditional Japanese flavors. Hence we thought it would be unfair not to introduce them to the Umaibo enthusiasts. So here it goes.
Umaibo Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlet) Sauce Flavor
Tonkatsu sauce is a crucial sauce in Japanese cuisine, similar to Worcestershire sauce. Tonkatsu means Japanese-style pork cutlet, but Tonkatsu sauce is not only served with pork cutlets. The sauce is packed with Umami, a rich, savory taste, and fruity sweetness. The common perception of Tonkatsu sauce in Japan is that "Anything you put Tonkatsu sauce on will taste good." This Umaibo flavor features the addictive yumminess of Tonkatsu sauce, only made even better with a hint of spiciness from Japanese mustard.
Fun Fact: Tonkatsu sauce flavor is the most classic, longest-surviving flavor of Umaibo. It was initially called 'Sauce Flavor' and has been a popular flavor since 1979!
Umaibo Natto (Fermented Japanese Soybeans) Flavor
Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. Natto is undoubtedly an acquired taste as it has an intense pungent smell and sticky texture. Being able to eat and appreciate Natto is described by some as an initiation ritual to the world of authentic Japanese cuisine. Natto is one of the most challenging Japanese food to like for someone who has not tasted it before. But once you start to appreciate the taste of Natto, it would be almost impossible to live without it.
This Umaibo Natto flavor might be a good place to start your Natto journey. The sweetness of corn mellows down the unique flavor to a mild taste that can be more easily enjoyed.
Umaibo Regional Exclusives
Umaibo releases exclusive regional flavors from time to time. These flavors are interesting to try out, but they also make souvenirs if you are traveling to these areas. Below are the two regional exclusive Umaibo flavors that are currently available.
Umaibo Cinnamon Apple Pie Flavor - Limited to Tokyo
This Umaibo flavor might prove you wrong if you thought corn puffs could taste good only when they are savory. This Umaibo features the sweet fragrance of cinnamon combined with the tartness of apples. This flavor combination works brilliantly in the crispy corn puffs.
This flavor is exclusive to the Tokyo Region.
Umaibo Satoukibi Sugarcane Flavor- Limited to Okinawa
Known as Japan's tropical paradise, Okinawa is an island in Japan's southernmost region with beautiful beaches and tropical produce only available on the island. One of these is sugar cane. This Umaibo flavor is exclusive to Okinawa and uses sugarcane grown in the Okinawa region to give the Umaibo a fresh sweetness with grassy and floral notes.
Umaibo Seasonal Flavor - Lemon Flavor
The only seasonal flavor currently available from Umaibo is the lemon flavor, which is limited to the summer season. Refreshingly tangy and full of lemon flavors combined with the sweetness of the corn. Lemon and corn- a very unusual combination in a snack that calls for a try-out.
Umaibo Premium Flavors
For those who are craving something extra special from the Umaibo flavors, these three premium Umaibo flavors are worth trying out.
Premium Umaibo Mozzerella and Camembert Cheese Flavor
This Umaibo flavor is the ultimate cheese extravaganza, combining the flavor and taste of two kinds of cheese loved worldwide - Mozzarella and Camembert. Creamy, cheesy, and savory, this Umaibo takes snacking to the next level.
Premium Umaibo Mentaiko Flavor
Remember the Umaibo Mentaiko flavor with the third-ranking position for most popular Umaibo flavors? That's right. This flavor is the premium version of that Mentaiko flavor. In the original Mentaiko flavor, the spiciness of the Mentaiko is kept to a mild level so that children and first-time Umaibo eaters can enjoy it too. But in this premium version, the highest quality fish roe has been used, and the Mentaiko flavor and the spiciness have been made more intense.
Premium Umaibo Wafu Steak (Traditional Japanese-Style Steak and Wasabi) Flavor
Wafu means' Japanese-Style'. Japanese people use soy sauce, sake, mirin, and garlic to season Japanese-style steak. Wasabi is a common condiment that accompanies Japanese-style steak. Featuring the beefy and smoky flavors of steak, Japanese cooking ingredients, and the refreshing 'kick' of Wasabi, this premium Umaibo flavor captures the spirit of Japanese cuisine very well.
Sweet Umaibo Flavors
If you are a sweet-toothed snack lover who happened to stumble upon this article and have been looking for a sweet Umaibo flavor instead of savory, then luck is in your favor. Umaibo has two delicious sweet flavors for you to indulge in!
Umaibo Sugar Rusk Flavor
Rusks are sweet twice-baked dry biscuits that are popular accompaniments served tea and coffee. This Umaibo flavor features the toasty, sugary, and buttery goodness of rusk.
Umaibo Chocolate Flavor
Umaibo chocolate flavor is unique because it is only an Umaibo with a chocolate coating. The corn puff cylinder has been smothered in chocolate so that there is a delicious outer layer of chocolate around the crispy puff center. Yum!
Now that you are familiar with the must-try Umaibo flavors get ready to pick up the ones that interest you the most. You can also play it smart and purchase a large assortment bag of Umaibo. Yes! Assortment bags of Umaibo flavors are commonly available. The assortment bags have different flavors, so you can try various flavors and decide which one you like the most.