A must-see for the Showa generation! Nostalgic popular snacks from the old days
The snacks you ate as a kid are the kind you never forget, even after you grow up.
That said, the reality is that many of them have been discontinued and are things you’ll never encounter again.
For those who want to recapture that nostalgic feeling, even just in spirit!
In this article, we’ll introduce nostalgic snacks that were popular in the Showa era, so be sure to check them out!
We’ve gathered snacks that will make you blurt out “So nostalgic!”—from ones you can no longer find to those that have survived in updated forms.
Feel free to use this as a conversation starter with friends from your generation.
A must-see for the Showa generation! Nostalgic popular snacks from the past (1–10)
Can Lady
Open the pop, heart-patterned box and out comes a cute, heart-shaped candy.
It was one of the sweets Glico sold in the 1980s, and its irresistibly cute look completely captured girls’ hearts.
Another charm was that each piece was individually wrapped.
After finishing the candies, some people probably reused the yellow, pink, or light blue boxes as little containers.
Glico’s “Can Lady” candy—adorable both inside and out—makes you long to taste that nostalgic flavor again!
Kappa Ebisen (Calbee shrimp chips)
This commercial brings back so many memories, doesn’t it? It’s for Calbee’s popular snack, Kappa Ebisen.
Kappa Ebisen was launched in 1964 and is famous for the catchphrase, “Can’t stop, won’t stop.” True to the slogan, once you take a bite, the crispy texture is addictive.
It has just the right amount of salt, and the handy, bite-sized pieces make you keep reaching for more.
In fact, Kappa Ebisen is said to include whole natural shrimp with the shells.
There’s also “Kappa Ebisen for Ages 1 and Up,” which is a great ally for parents of young children! You can still buy it today at supermarkets and convenience stores, so be sure to pick some up.
5/8 chip
When you think of S&B Foods, you probably picture seasonings like wasabi and ginger in tubes.
Many of you have likely bought them at least once.
This “5/8 Chips” was a snack that S&B Foods released in 1979.
The name 5/8 seems to come from the chips being made at five-eighths the size of regular potato chips.
They were sold in several varieties, such as salted and curry flavors, but were discontinued in 2003.
That nostalgic taste—you’d love to try it again, wouldn’t you?
V.I.P Chocolate
V.I.P Chocolate became popular as a premium chocolate candy made with fresh cream.
The commercial featuring Shizuka Kudo in a dress was also memorable.
Priced at around 200 yen, it felt expensive for a kids’ snack.
However, at the time, chocolates with fresh cream—now commonplace—were rare, making this a very innovative product.
For many from the Showa era, when you think of chocolate bars, you think of V.I.P Chocolate! It’s definitely one of those items we’d love to see revived.
Imo-zukuri-kun
Imo-zaku-kun, a chocolate snack shaped like a sweet potato that anyone from the Showa generation has probably tried at least once, was released by Meiji Seika in 1985.
It was a gentle-tasting treat: sweet potato–flavored cookies coated in chocolate.
Many people probably remember that irresistible crunch! Although the product has already been discontinued, it was brought back for a limited reissue once in 2005.
That’s how fondly this snack remains in everyone’s hearts.
Carl
Karl, a snack launched by Meiji Co., Ltd.
in 1968.
Speaking of Karl, “Karl Uncle” is also famous—many of you might remember the commercials, right? The catchphrase was, “Sorenitsuketemo oyatsu wa Karl!” It’s a gentle-tasting, non-fried snack made from corn, and once you start eating, it’s hard to stop.
Even today, the “Lightly Salted” and “Cheese” flavors are available, and it has long been loved as a children’s snack.
Don Patch
When you think of candy that pops in your mouth, those from the Showa generation probably think of “Donpatch” first, right? It was sold by Ajinomoto General Foods in 1979—thrilling, fun, and popular with kids.
Unfortunately, a series of accidents and rumors about putting too much of it in the mouth led to its discontinuation.
That said, there are many similar products available today, so you can still enjoy popping candy.
If this brings back memories, be sure to give those a try!