When I received a Bokksu box filled with artisanal Japanese snacks and tea, I couldn’t wait to show my teenage daughter, because she loves anything Japanese! I knew she would admire the colorful packaging and open each one to taste the exotic flavors.

In my box was sent a personal note by founder Danny Taing thanking me for my interest in Bokksu. “Since my early days of living in Japan, I’ve loved discovering delicious snacks from local Japanese snack makers,” said Danny. “I’m thrilled to present to you this first box curated across the culturally rich regions and seasons of Japan.”

Danny takes subscribers on an adventure, from Kyoto, Tokyo, Okinawa and Osaka with snacks as rich in culture as the people who make them.

Each beautiful box includes a ‘Seasons of Japan’ booklet and cultural guide, over 20 snacks, and even a specially curated tea to experience.

It all started when Danny dreamed of moving to Japan and landed a job at Rakuten, a Japanese electronic commerce and online retailing company based in Tokyo. While in their Tokyo office, and learning Japanese, he discovered the richness of Japanese culture, food and snacks. Every trip back to America, Danny packed his suitcase with beautifully designed and tasty treats to share with his friends at home. They loved them!

When he returned back to Tokyo, his mission was to become an expert on hard-to-find Japanese snacks, treats and tea to share with others.

Next, when he made some good connections with purveyors, he created Bokksu, a subscription based online shop filled with beautiful treats. Danny and his team have doubled their subscriptions in 2020 to over 20,000, and over 400,000 boxes have been delivered around the world with free worldwide shipping.

Bokksu in English is translated to ‘vegetarian’ and many of his snacks will appeal to vegetarians. Each box arrives with an informative ‘Seasons of Japan’ booklet, filled with names and a photo of each item, the name of the snack maker, a story about the treat, its flavor profile, if it’s Bokksu (vegetarian), and common allergens.

It’s not the same as wandering the streets of Tokyo in search for the quintessential treat, however with COVID-19, it’s the next best thing. While being stuck at home during the holidays, experience Japan through Bokksu to titiaate your senses.

One of the first things you notice is the beautiful packaging. Next when you open one of the Japanese snacks, the aroma will awaken your other senses. Feel the texture, take a bite and try todetest if its sweet, salty or savory.

Most subscription services use mass-produced mainstream snacks that can be readily found in most Asian markets outside of Japan. Bokksu directly sources its artisanal snacks from local snack makers in Japan (some of whom have been around for over 200 years). Bokksu is also the only service that hand selects a tea pairing for each box to complement that month’s flavors. 

Bokksu has a specialty grocery section, the Bokksu Market, where you can purchase individual hard to find snacks including limited edition Kit Kats in flavors like Sakura Nihonshu Sake, Otono No Amasa Citrus Mint, and Salt Lychee.

Send a Bokksu box to a loved one or enjoy Bokksu treasures monthly.