Yuzu Salt Senbei Comparison

Kameda brand senbei (pictured on left) are yummy, I've also had their limited seasonal sour ume flavor. I wanted to try the Kuriyama brand (pictured on right) because they're age-senbei, which I usually love for their extra crispiness. The Kuriyama brand shows weight and not number of senbei, like Kameda brand. There are twice as many individually wrapped Kuriyama senbei, although they are around half the size.

Kameda Yuzu Salt Senbei 9 individually wrapped crackers, 155 yen.

Kuriyama Yuzu Salt Senbei, 18 individually wrapped crackers, 129 yen.

On levels of crispiness, saltiness, and yuzu flavor, I'll compare the two.

I'm thoroughly satisfied with the crispiness (or rather, crunch) of the Kameda Senbei. Kuriyama's age-sen have a soft crispiness and airiness. They feel very light in the mouth.

Saltiness is a similar level, although the Kuriyama ones might be a little saltier. They boast their salt is from 瀬戸 (setou, the area between Honshu and Shikoku), so the salt flavor is different, but I can't say one is better than the other.

Kameda's yuzu senbei have a almost vinegar like sourness to them. They don't have much of the sweet and citrus flavor that you find in a fresh yuzu fruit. The yuzu flavor of the Kuriyama Senbei is very similar to the taste of yuzu ponzu or yuzu flavored fried chicken, if you're been lucky enough to try that. It isn't super strong, but recognizable as yuzu, for those familiar with the citrus flavor.

I'm surprised to say, I think I like the Kuriyama senbei better, as long as they are just a nice snack, appropriate for kids. For something a little on the fancier side, with some hot green tea, the Kameda senbei might be more fitting and are still very tasty.