Thursday’s Side Dish: Japanese Rice Crackers

An Asian snack with a lot of crunch
Every country or ethnic cuisine tends to have its favorite snack or junk food. Japan is no different. Senbei (or sembei) is sold in stores and specialty markets throughout Japan. These Japanese-style rice crackers come flavored with different exotic spices, such as soy sauce, seaweed, wasabi, and sesame seeds. We spotted this canned senbei in the International foods section at Safeway supermarkets. The making of senbei dates back to the ninth century in Japan. Furthermore, the different types and shapes possess specific names. If you visit Japan, look for different quality grades of senbei that range from inexpensive to gourmet varieties.