Pocky Passion: Embracing the Love for a Japanese Classic!

Pocky is a name that will pop up in almost every conversation about Japanese candy and snacks. Even when searching for Japanese snacks online, you will surely find an image of the instantly recognizable chocolate-covered biscuit stick!

Is Pocky popular in Japan?

Would you believe it if we told you there’s an entire day dedicated solely to Pocky in Japan? It might sound a bit absurd initially, but considering the country’s evident love for snacking, a day dedicated to one of the most popular Japanese snacks doesn’t seem that far-fetched anymore.

November 11 is “pokki no hi (ポッキーの日),” or Pocky Day in Japan. The reason is straightforward but also pretty clever if you think about it. November 11 is 11月11日 in Japanese, and the quadruple 1s in the date reminds people of the shape of the famous Pocky sticks. 

Although the day doesn’t have any official significance, many people in the country celebrate it by buying themselves a box or two (or more) of one of their favorite Japanese snacks. 

Another reason that people love them so much is because of the variety of flavors they offer. If you ask any Japanese snack lover their favorite flavor, some will stick with the classics and say that the original Pocky Chocolate flavor is the best. 

But there’s also the matcha or green tea flavor and the equally iconic Pocky Strawberry that’s quite popular in and out of Japan. This flavor uses fine green tea powder to give it a distinct taste with perfectly balanced levels of sweetness and bitterness. Some fans like the snack because of its more unusual options, like melon, cherry blossom, or butter chocolate.

The History of Glico and Pocky

The reason for Pocky’s existence is all thanks to the Japanese candy and confectionery company, Glico. The company derived its name from a special ingredient in the original Pocky, caramel candy.

The ingredient was glycogen, a natural polysaccharide. Riichi Ezaki, the founder of Glico, found that this ingredient, extracted from oysters, helped his sickly son feel better. Ezaki then sought to incorporate this glycogen into more confectionery products in Japan to promote healthier eating habits. Afterward, he established the company in 1922.

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Glico and its products are hugely popular in Japan. Osaka’s Dotonbori area has a giant electronic billboard of their mascot, the Glico man. The mascot depicts an athlete running along a track with a signature pose. As a result, tourists and locals often mimic the pose while taking pictures with the sign!

Pocky debuted in 1966, 44 years after Glico emerged on the scene. It was initially a chocolate snack for busy women to eat on the go. Before releasing Pocky to the public, the creators realized that coating the entire biscuit stick with chocolate would be messy. So, they left a portion at the end for easier and tidier holding.

Pocky became an instant hit in Japanese stores. Over the years, they added more flavors and introduced them to more countries worldwide. Glico Thailand was established in 1970. In the 80s & 90s, it expanded to Canada, France, and China. Finally, a United States expansion in 2003 solidified its status as an iconic Japanese snack.

The World Wide Popularity of Japanese Snacks

Speaking of snack icons, Japan seems to have a penchant for creating memorable chocolate snacks; two of the most popular Japanese snacks are good examples. 

Kinoko no Yama is similar to Pocky, with a plain biscuit portion for clean holding and a chocolate portion. Its unique shape resembles small mushrooms, hence the name “kinoko no yama,” meaning “mushroom mountain.” These bite-sized snacks are instantly recognizable.

Also, despite their British origins, Kit Kats have become a favorite Japanese snack item among tourists who visit the country looking for a fun souvenir for friends and family. Not to mention, Kit Kats — much like Pockys — are also known for their wide variety in flavor offerings.