Craving some different snacks? This insect vending machine is what you are looking for!
Chris Ferdian
Japan always has a lot of different foods and snacks to offer, so obviously people always try to create something new or simply re-adapt some old ideas to make them resurface again.
Last November Toshiyuki Tomoda, a small shop owner in Kumamoto, decided to install a snack insect vending machine outside of his shop. Little did he know that he would sell over 500 packages of insects in a month!
Eating insects is very common for some areas of the world, but not everyone is familiar with them and it usually takes some nerve to get over the initial reluctance of biting into some crawling animals.
From salted grilled crickets to chocolate-coated beetles, Tomoda was curious about the appeal such edible insects would have, also taking into consideration any possible food crisis, and ended up encountering a huge success, generating more than $4,500 in a single month.
People have obviously responded in a positive way to this new kind of snack in their area. Would you try any of these out if you had the chance?
Photo credits: Twitter /@katuragikodou
Related articles
Japanese Cafe: Most Beautiful Ones in Tokyo You Need to Visit!
Tokyo is full of surprises. One street throws neon lights and busy crowds at you like a video game. Turn the corner, and suddenly you’re in a quiet Japanese cafe (sometimes spelled “café”) that is a hidden treasure. These cafés aren’t just about grabbing coffee or tea. They mix design, comfort, and atmosphere to create...
Dagashi for Tsukimi: Best Snacks to Have!
When the weather turns crisp and the autumn moon shines bright, Japan celebrates tsukimi, the traditional moon-viewing festival.
Egg Drop Soup: Tsukimi Traditions in a Swirling Bowl
Can you imagine sitting under a glowing autumn moon, warming your hands and spirits with a bowl of egg drop soup? In Japan, as the air gets crisp and families gather for tsukimi, or moon viewing, this gentle soup transforms from a quick comfort food to a celebration of the season.
Curry Udon: A Comforting Twist on Japanese Noodles
When it comes to warm, cozy comfort food in Japan, curry udon is hard to beat. It’s thick, chewy udon noodles swimming in rich, flavorful curry broth. The soup is savory, a little sweet, and satisfying.
Aaron and Claire Show Us an Amazing Shogayaki Recipe!
Aaron and Claire are back with another quick and flavorful Japanese recipe: shogayaki, or Japanese ginger pork. If you like simple, affordable dishes that taste like they came straight from a cozy Japanese diner, you’ll want to try this.
Nori Snacks: Seaweed Treats You Need to Try!
When you think of Japanese snacks, you might picture Pocky, mochi (Japanese rice cake), or soft, fluffy custard cakes. But Japan also has another snacking world: crunchy, savory seaweed treats made from nori (Japanese seaweed) and other ocean goodies.