Rice is a staple of Japan's cuisine that even various Japanese snacks use rice as the main ingredients such as rice crackers, which is the topic for today’s blog.
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- Are All Rice Crackers=Senbei?
- Types of Japanese Rice Cakes
- Are Japanese Rice Crackers Halal/Muslim-Friendly?
Are All Rice Crackers=Senbei?
Rice crackers are a common treat in Japan, made from glutinous or non-glutinous rice. They are usually packed with umami and can be either sweet or savory rice crackers.
Some of you may know Japanese rice crackers as "senbei" but did you know that they include more than just "senbei"? Other than senbei (せんべい), arare (あられ) and okaki (おかき) are also rice cracker. But, are these three the same?
Senbei (せんべい)
Senbei (せんべい) is perhaps the most well-known Japanese rice cracker. Traditionally made from non-glutinous rice (uruchimai, うるち米), senbei is large, flat, and often round.
With a crisp and crunchy texture, it offers a satisfying crunch with every bite.
In terms of flavors, you can get tons of variety from salty soy sauce to sweet sugar-coated, and can be either grilled or baked and even wrapped in nori (seaweed). Regional differences also play a role, with some areas in Japan favoring thicker, more rustic versions, while others prefer thinner, delicate types.
Arare (あられ)
Arare (あられ) are small, bite-sized rice crackers made from glutinous rice (mochigome, もち米). These crackers are often associated with festive occasions, such as Hinamatsuri (Doll's Day), where colorful varieties are served. Arare comes in various shapes, including small cubes, stars, or even tiny fish shapes.
With a diverse flavor range, you can get from savory soy sauce to spicy wasabi. Some are even mixed with peanuts or other ingredients to create a balanced snack mix. Unlike senbei, arare is usually lighter and has a more delicate texture, making it easy to enjoy by the handful.
Okaki (おかき)
Okaki (おかき) is similar to arare but typically larger and thicker. Like arare, okaki is made from glutinous rice (mochigome), but the difference lies in the size and texture.
Okaki is often chunkier and can have a slightly chewy interior, which contrasts with its crispy exterior.
One of the unique aspects of okaki is the way it is prepared. The glutinous rice is first steamed, then pounded into mochi before being cut into pieces and dried. The dried mochi pieces are then fried or baked, resulting in a snack that is both crispy and chewy.
This treat can be seasoned in various ways, with popular options including soy sauce, salt, and even sweet sugar coatings.
Although senbei, arare and okaki are all made from rice, their unique ingredients, sizes, shapes, and textures create a variety of flavors and experiences. Each type of rice cracker has its special perk, so there's always something new to discover and enjoy.
With all that answered, onto answering the question everyone’s been waiting for…
Are Japanese Rice Crackers Halal/Muslim-Friendly?
While rice itself is halal, the other ingredients used may contain alcohol or animal-derived ingredients like 醬油 (soy sauce) or みりん (mirin, Japanese rice wine).
When buying rice crackers, it's important to carefully check the ingredients and verify with the manufacturer to ensure there is no contamination during production.
Or to get rid of the ingredient checking hassle, you can visit JAPANeid Osaka Shop. Located just a short walk from the famous Dotonbori Glico sign.
Alhamdulillah, every snack at JAPANeid has been checked by the Muslim staff, so Muslims can also enjoy them (see how they check the items).
Can't Visit Our Store?
If you can’t come to JAPANeid store in Osaka, don’t worry! You can get authentic Japanese rice crackers delivered to wherever you are from our online store.
