Friday, June 24, 2011

Variety Friday: Debu Neko Sembei and a Summer Contest


Debu Neko is the "mascot" character of a company called SK Japan which provides prizes for claw games (called UFO Catcher here) in Japan. It is my favorite cute Japanese character and the inspiration for me to get my husband to try UFO Catcher games which neither of us would have touched prior to my passion for this "fatty cat". Recently, SK Japan issued a new prize in their line of debu neko items and it's called "sembei", though it is not real sembei. The overall color, texture, shape, and design of both the foamy cat head and the plastic packet it is offered in mimics sembei. There's also a hard plate of some sort embedded in the head which if you press it will make a sembei-like "snap" sound. Be forewarned that doing that too much will result in the rubber of the cat head starting to tear (as the sample at the game shop made clear). It comes on a loop so you can hook it onto your cell phone or backpack (or just hang it on the wall).

The poorly photographed small booty pile: The debu neko "sembei", Ginbis sesame biscuits and a "white soda" Hi-Chew. I'd love to send more, and frankly, it wouldn't cost much more to buy more items, but the cost of shipping by airmail quickly exceeds the cost of the snacks rather exponentially. 

My husband won a handful of them from one of the easier UFO Catcher games. These aren't the most expensive prizes to produce, so it's no shock that they make it easier to win a handful of them as compared to the larger, more elaborate stuffed toys. I'm going to offer one along with some heat-resistant snacks as a prize in a contest. To enter this contest, all you have to do is leave a comment on this particular blog post telling me how you discovered this blog (Google search, from a comment I left on another blog, through a link on another blog, etc.). If you found me through another blog, please let me know the name of it if you recall. Only comments on this post will be considered when I choose the winner. The winner will be chosen by a random number generator according to the order in which comments are made.

Anyone anywhere can enter (even those in Japan), but I can't guarantee delivery in Central or South America or Africa. My experiences in the past have shown that postal delivery is unreliable in those countries. While I'll surely send the package anywhere in the world, I can't guarantee it's arrival on the other end, especially to countries which I've had some bad experiences with.

This contest will run for two weeks. I'll be posting links back to it and reminders to enter on posts during that time period. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hearing your comments!

115 comments:

Lil said...

I think I discovered this blog from either Pretty Pretty Yum Yum or Pocky Watch!

LeMoutonRouge said...

I came here through The Impulsive Buy more than a year ago and I still come everyday!

bingata744 said...

How fun! I have been following your two blogs for a few years now, and really don't remember how I found you. Most likely, it was a Google search as "Google is my friend!" I really enjoy your observations on both sites -- love to read about the snacks as we bring back unusual things when we visit Japan. Hope you continue to review for a long time! Anne Statland

Sparrow said...

I must have found your blog on another food blog, but I've been reading via rss for so long I can't remember.

yjoyce said...

Woooohoo! contest! =)
My friend's friend showed her your 1000 thing about Japan before she went to Japan. Since I was preparing to go to Japan during that time, I checked out that blog. From your other blog, I found this one! Since I LOVE food and I'm currently working in Japan, I've been following both of your blogs since then. I love reading all your posts! =)

Lucyna Wegankiewiczowa said...

So I'm first! I was googling for some japanese sweet and I run into your blog, which I started to read out of mere curiosity. I can't recall what whas that thing I was looking for because it was about two years ago.

Site Admin said...

I came to this blog after a long trek from a previous blog you wrote. I was sad to see it go ( I loved the information you would pass on about day to day life in Japan), and followed a link from there that to your "1000 Things About Japan", which led me to here.
I lived in Japan in the late '70s and your snack blog reminds of all the snacks I would enjoy as a child while living there.
Thanks for all the writing, I reminds me of a great time in my life.

Figurkowo.com said...

A contest! Great! :D

I don't really remember how I get here, but most likely it was another snacks blog - probably Candy Blog http://www.candyblog.net/ I love to read your reviews and yours "1000 things about Japan" blog. It is fascinating, how we could explore another culture by its food.

Marcusgj said...

HI I cam across your thousand things about Japan blog first on the recommendation of a friend. I was about to move to Japan at the time. I'm actually in the country now and your blog is always nice to read as I've come across quite a few of the things in your posts. I start reading this blog after I decided to go on a snack food odyssey of my own. Always come back here for ideas :).

Timeeka said...

I think I searched Japanese snacks on google, and it lead me to here. I've been reading ever since.

mysli said...

I have to admid, I don't remember how I found this blog. I don't even remember if I found this or the "1000 things" first. So no real answer from me.

wendylan said...

It was through another food blog, but so long ago, I can't remember!

itztofu said...

I think I recall finding your blog through Google, but I can't be sure. Either way, I love your blog, thanks for the great reviews! :)

Alana said...

I found your blog when I was looking for a place to fulfill my cravings for pictures or reviews of Japanese candy that I used to eat when I was a small child growing up in Japan. It makes me want to go back!

Lizabet said...

I found this while trying to locate a specific type of Asian snack (since found, thank you Wegmans!) and keep coming back for the good writing and interesting pictures.

thegypsie said...

I ultimately came to your blog via two hops. A message board friend of mine just moved with her husband to Japan and is blogging about her experience: http://barajasjapan.blogspot.com/
During one of her posts she linked a Kit Kat blog that I started reading:
http://jenkenskitkatblog.blogspot.com
Ultimately I came to your blog and have been reading it as often as you update. :)

Anonymous said...

I think I've been following your blog for over year now, so I don't remember EXACTLY how I found it. But I think I was in a Japanese snacks mood (after reading about some of them on wikipedia) and decided to try a google search.

MsMurder said...

I found your blog by a random search on Google. I was looking for a review of some Japanese snack food to try and figure out what things I would enjoy trying. My friend was going to Japan and I was "placing an order" for a few items to come back with him for me.

gεn said...

I think I found you after looking for some reviews on Hi-Chew candy on google.
I added the blog in google reader and keep following it!

~C said...

I was Googling for reviews on Japanese potato chips because I was trying to track down a particular kind (Calbee's Jyaga-bata), and I came across your blog!

Ande said...

I found your blog through your 1000 Things About Japan blog.

Funnily enough, I found that blog by searching about Japanese culture from an outside perspective (I wanted as much info as possibly before I visited last March).

I love your snack blog because it makes me curious on things I'd like to try :)

Laura said...

I found this blog through the link on 1000 Things About Japan, which I found through searching for Japan related blogs. My husband and I are moving to Japan in August, so I look forward to finding and trying some of the snacks you have reviewed!

kimbly said...

I found your blog through Marvo at The Impulsive Buy

Have enjoyed visiting ever since!

kimby at g amil dot com

Allie, Peeps2 said...

I was living in Japan and trying to find out how to discover the new and upcoming snacks, so I found your blog through a Google search and have continued reading it daily, even though I am back in the US now. I still look for stuff you post at my local Asian grocery store, but they don't really get the new stuff. :( Ah, Lawson's and Family Mart, how I miss you....

Retrograve said...

Lol I think I discovered you on your 1000 things about Japan blog first. Which I think I've might of discovered that by google or maybe cscout Japan's blog.

Cherut said...

I discovered this blog by running a search on Japanese snacks! :)

Anonymous said...

I've been following this blog and your 1000 Things About Japan blog for a couple of years. I'm sure one of my Live Journal friends linked to you, but sorry, I don't remember which one. I really enjoy it, though.

Sara Mari said...

I need the debu neko senbei~~ I'm going to look for the machines with them XD

I found this blog through your 1000 things blog, which I found hum through a google search I believe. Sorry its so long ago I dont remember well haha

Ismellawetpilot said...

I found your blog looking for japanese sweets on google, as I wanted to make sure I was buying good ones before ordering them online. I always check your blog now before ordering new snacks, but visit mainly for the pictures of the food I've been missing since my trip to Japan :).

emicat said...

I fell upon your blog fairly recently in March when the big earthquake in Japan struck. I was searching for various news or images of empty shelves in supermarkets online one night and came across your blog.

Your Mister Donut posts kill me, as I miss them so much :)

LauraEve said...

My sister introduced me to the site, I have no idea how she found it but I'm glad she did, I'm such a blog reading fiend :D

Flowerstar said...

Oh, I love contests! *comes out of lurk-dom*

I discovered you through the link list on a German bento blog, Bento Lunch Blog =).

Aerie said...

I discovered your blog through the Impulsive buy a couple years ago. I also read your other blog regularly. It's interesting to see all the cultural differences, and the different kinds of snacks you find.

Maria Antonia said...

awn the neko is so cute <3 I found the link to this blog in The Impulsive Buy about a year ago. It became one of my favorite blogs :) I also like 1000 things about japan! Keep up the good work!

xyuki.chiix said...

That cat is so cute! I think I found this blog after Googling Japanese snacks, and now it's one of my favorite blogs.

Anne said...

I, too, discovered your blog via "The Impulsive Buy" and have been following it and "1000 Things" for quite a while now. I had (briefly) entertained the idea of teaching English in Japan but your blog (and others) helped me realize that the novelty of the experience would soon wear off, leaving me with homesickness and rage.

Megan said...

I believe it was The Impulsive Buy that led me here, and now your blog is tops in my Google Reader :)

Theresa said...

I'm pretty sure I was searching for Japanese Snacks.

Anonymous said...

I discovered this blog today while googling for Japanese snacks because my friend is in NJ at an amazing Japanese market - she said she would pick up some goodies for me and I was trying to refresh my memory of some treats I had back when I lived in Okayama. Love seeing some old favorites and new things I've never tasted here in your blog!

Oz said...

I found this blog after googling "Japanese kit kat" about 10 months ago and it has since become a daily obsession for me.

Keep up the good work!

S said...

I found your blog through Google after moving to Japan last year.

blondiemcl said...

I found you after searching Japanese snacks after a trip to Japan, I have been hooked daily now

Sylvia said...

I found this blog through a google search, a long time ago – I was looking for a different Japanese snack foods review blog that I'd come upon previously. I hadn't realized there were so many people reviewing Japanese snack foods! I checked out quite a few of the google results, and did find the blog I was originally looking for, too – but your blog is the only one I still follow today. It's entertaining, regularly updated, and fun… and reminds me of my own visits to Japan!

Samm2 said...

I was doing a search for Pepsi Dry and found your review.

Anonymous said...

I think I found it by googling. I really had some cravings for some Asian style snacks and really wanted a snack review blog.

Anonymous said...

I actually found your blog while google searching for a review of a pre-packaged strawberry sandwich that I saw on another site. I stumbled onto your blog while looking for it and became completely mesmerized by how many different types of KitKats there were. I had no idea! I'm a sucker for food blogs in general, so I spent a few weeks reading all your previous entries. They really are interesting. I love the cultural differences you point out here, and especially over on your 1000 Things blog. (Cat cafes!)

I probably won't get to visit Japan myself, but reading about it will never stop being fascinating.

Sebbe said...

I discovered this blog by searching for different japanese sweets on google. :)

pikafreek3001 said...

I have been following your blog for a couple of months. I think I found your blog through a post on an anime blog (I don't remember which one). Your blog is interesting and informative and I enjoy finding out about snacks that you can only get in Japan.

Rachel said...

Like most people, I really can't remember. But I assume it was through googling about Japanese snacks.
Now I've added this blog to my "blog lovin" account, so I read it more often.

Jess said...

I think I was doing a Google search for Japanese snacks when I found your blog. That's the story I'm going with, because I've been reading for a while.

Alex151a said...

I'm in Japan since two months ago, but this is my firts time in Japan so I don't know that much about snacks and so on...I was searching on google some information about a Japanese snack that a wanted to try, and this blog was just what I was searching for!

edjusted said...

I've been reading for a while, but I think it had something to do with ramen...either you posted something about a ramen snack or I found your blog through some ramen blog or something.

n said...

I've been following for a few years.. either your '1000 Things About Japan' blog led me here, or vice versa, but I love reading both! :)

Thanks for the giveaway!

Suzanne Janette Reid said...

I just found you today! lol I was actually watching a youtube video and one of the comments said something about コーンポタージュ, so I looked it up and saw it was Corn Potage Soup and when I searched for that, your blog came up! Right at the bottom of the first page lol It was the one about the limited edition corn potage sembei. They look so tasty! But that post is kinda old now lol :)I was really happy though because I like learning about other cultures and this blog is very interesting so far! :)

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through google search..
I was going to make a snack blog myself and want some references...
Have become a subscriber through Google Reader ever since :D

sallywas15 said...

I'm pretty sure I found this blog through a google search, because I was curious about different types of Japanese candy. I love this blog, I'm pretty sure I've read nearly every post. xD

KimbaChan said...

I was doing my own research on Japan and looking for Japanese related blogs while I was filling out an application for the JET Program (I did not get accepted). I started reading 1,000 About Japan, and well... I then started reading this one too!

Marisa Wallace said...

I can't remember exactly how I found you. It was probably something to do with Japanese snacks and/or Pocky. I used to live in Kyoto and sent many care packages home to the boyfriend (now husband). He said they kept him alive when I was gone. I miss the bizarre things that you could find in a combinie.

ryozan said...

Found you through The Impulsive Buy! Loving your reviews, helps me make better informed snack pics!

Keep it coming!

Xatrioxic said...

I found your blog by typing japanese snacks into google. I was randomly look for a snack from an anime and ran across your tasty blog! Keep on doin what you're doing!

Love it!

Xatrioxic said...

I found your blog by typing japanese snacks into google. I was randomly look for a snack from an anime and ran across your tasty blog! Keep on doin what you're doing!

Love it!

K said...

I found you by Googling Japanese Kit Kats!

Anonymous said...

I came from Candy Blog too! Then clicked your 1000 Things blog and worked my way through the archives in two days..I love it! This was maybe a year ago.

Hallaluva said...

I found this blog searching for sushi recipes, somehow. But I'm glad I did!

Kim said...

Ummmm Sounds good ... And all reviews goes with this snacks... I am waiting to try this.. logo design contest

Trix said...

I have been enjoying both your blogs for a while now. I cannot recall how I originally came across your blog, but it was probably a link from another blog.

I adore all things Japanese and really enjoy your blogs. Thanks!

Rusty said...

I think I found this blog by searching for Japan-related blogs on Google. But I can't be sure as I've been reading for a while now :)

Hmeecill said...

I discovered this blog through a google search for the Framboise kit kats.

Anonymous said...

I believe I found it when I was Googling some random Kitkat flavour like Ramune or Oshiruko?

Ives said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ives said...

My friend (who wants to live in Japan) recommended your blog to me. I think that was about a year ago!

(Okay. I really hope I didn't post this already. I had to sign up for blogspot to post my comment, haha.)

Jade said...

I know this snack blog through your "1000 things" blog. They have become mx daily must-read-routine :)

Kaori said...

I discovered your blog through the "Recommended Reading" links on Jen Ken's Kit Kat blog!

After scouring through her entire backlog of posts, I was hungry (unintentional pun...) for more Japanese snack reviews and, wouldn't you know it, that is the exact name of this blog! So I immediately read every single post in your blog as well. :)

Elgera said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Elgera said...

I fell in love with a Youtube video series called 'Candy Time' and wanted to find more information about Japanese candy and snacks. Did a google search and found your blog!

It's been a lot of fun reading up the newest yummy Japanese food I want to find in 'the states.'

Nathaniel C. said...

I discovered this blog about a year ago. I had just discovered my first Japanese snack (ramune) at World Market. I found your blog while reading about ramune on the internet! Been reading ever since!

Anonymous said...

I found your site a while back through The Impulsive Buy. Love your site! Keep up the fantastic work!

Anonymous said...

I've been shopping from Asian Food Grocer for a few months now, and decided to see if I could find another site like it. When I went to google, I ended up stumbling upon this blog, and now can't get enough of it! Every time I see a snack that looks tasty, I hit google to see if I can find an online store that sells it!

Sophia Lee said...

A friend of mine introduced your blog to me. We gchat all the time, and she sent me the link saying, "You'll love this blog!"


And she was right, I do. :)

Ashchronicles said...

I don't remember where I found your blog..maybe by google search or a fellow blogger.. But since I am pretty much a sucker for everything Japan, I followed both this blog and your 'things I will/won't miss in Japan' blog. Your articles are very entertaining to read. And very informative.

Veeeeera said...

Hehe I discovered this blog when I was google searching for a particular Kit-Kat to see if I was going to buy it :)

Jason E. Miller said...

Google search here for Japanese Kitkats. :)

halestales said...

I came to your blog via The Impulsive Buy many moons ago, and haven't stopped visiting since. I love to read about the snacks and then try to locate them at my local Japanese marts in NYC :)

Anonymous said...

Found you through Impulsive Buy, and I'm glad for it, since I love the 1000 Things blog, too.

Magdalena said...

I was trying to find information about some Japanese snack (I don't remember which one, though) and have been reading your blog ever since.

Bessie C. said...

I discovered this blog when I was googling blogs about Japan. I love your blog and japanese food products btw!

Melissa said...

I found this blog from another blog, I'm guessing it was Candy Blog.

brady said...

I came through the Impulsive Buy, too!

Bohi said...

I think it was through google... I was searching for interesting / yummy food and snacks to add to the neverending list of things to eat when in Japan ;)

Liz said...

I do believe that my Google Reader recommended you to me. What luck! :)

Andrea said...

I found your blog when I did a Google search for 'Japanese snacks'. I'll be going to Japan next January and wanted to know what snacky things I should keep an eye out for, and I must say your blog is very helpful!

OriginalZ said...

I think I was searching for "Black Thunder" since I wanted to buy it in bulk and happened upon your site. Heh, by following your reviews it lets me know what to look for when I go shopping!

Spritey said...

I discovered your blog a couple of years ago when I was looking for reviews on some imported Japanese snack (I forget what it was now) that I was thinking about ordering.

Soon after that I started going through all your older posts to see what else you reviewed and then began to follow your 1000 Things blog as well.

I don't comment much, but I love reading your posts!

Anonymous said...

Hello. I found this site through japanbloglist.com sometime late last year. Thanks for the contest.

Leng said...

I discovered this post when I was craving for a Japanese senbei in the middle of the night and wondered if there's anyone out there who likes Japanese snacks as much as i do. I must say I'm an avid reader of your blogs and wished that I can try all the funky snacks that you reviewed! :)

shrunk said...

I found both of your blogs from Pretty Pretty Yum Yum about a year ago, and have been following ever since.

AG said...

Hey! I think I discovered your blog through Google, If i recall correctly I was searching for info on some weird flavored pringles, been a fan since the first read! greetings from Mexico.

Misteriosi said...

I found this blog either through Obachan's Kitchen & Balcony Garden or at the same time when i was looking for info on wagashi. if it was the latter then google lead me here. i love both your blogs so much!

evolsilla said...

i found your blog in 2008 after google searching for a sakura flavored chocolate.

it was good chocolate, that's why i remember!

surffr said...

I found this blog through a google search on "7up clear dry". Really loving your posts! Keep up the good work!

surffr said...

I found your blog through a google search for "7up clear dry". Keep up the good work!!!

Sophia Diemmi said...

I discovered this blog through Google search, while I was looking for Asian food blogs. ^^

ebidebby said...

I honestly can't remember! I've been reading and linking to your blog since probably about a month after you started it. I must have found your blog when searching for other reviews of products I reviewed, so probably Google. It's been a long time.

soybean said...

i'm not quite sure but i think i discovered you after i googled for 'wagashi' or 'okonomiyaki' or 'japan snacks/food'! i found your blogs to be super helpful and informative, especially a few months back when i was researching on what to buy on my first trip to Japan! loved it, want to go again. especially loved their vending machines which offered 'warm (atatakai)' drinks for cold weather!

k8inorbit said...

I found you via a link from Jen's Kit Kat Blog. I lived in Japan for a year and became a little too fond of Japanese junk food while I was there. This is my remote junk food fix. :D

Jeffia said...

I adore your blog. I show cases what most people find mundane (in the country that they live in, but super interesting to outsiders): everyday life in another country.

I believe I discovered your site from a weekend link from The Impulsive Buy, as previous bloggers have mentioned.

Simone said...

Hello! I came over via 1000 things about Japan via Hens Teeth.

Angielala said...

I don't remember how I came upon your site, to be honest. The important thing is that I love reading it, though!

paperjellyfish said...

I found this blog today while looking for stuff about flavored melon pan. Your review of a maple melon pan popped up, and I continued reading articles because they are very funny.

Anonymous said...

I believe I found this blog quite accidently~ & I am glad that I did.
(:

pinkyfantastic said...

I found your blog through Snack Love (http://ebidebby.blogspot.com/)... love your blog!

cohenster said...

It took me a while to remember because I've been reading both this blog and your "1000 things" blog for ages, but I must have found you via the Chocolate Reviews blog :)

Sandy said...

I have an obsession with Japan's flavoured kit kats so I found Jen's Kit Kat blog and from there found the link to yours. And I am glad because this opened up a whole new big happy snacky world :-)

Daniella Ivette said...

I found this blog last year, from a link you left in Snack Girl (snack-girl.com) - formerly Snack Snoop.

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