If there’s one Japanese snack that’s taken the world by storm, it’s Pocky. These crispy biscuit sticks dipped in deliciously flavored chocolate or cream have been a fan favorite for decades—myself included!

Whether you’re grabbing a pack for a midday treat or sharing with friends, Pocky really is the ultimate snack for any occasion. Today, I’m diving into Pocky’s history, why it’s so beloved, and—most excitingly—trying one familiar flavor and three new ones to see how they stack up!

What is Pocky?

Pocky is a Japanese biscuit stick snack first introduced by Glico in 1966. It started simply as thin biscuit sticks coated in chocolate, but over the years Glico has released a huge range of flavors—from fruity to nutty to fun regional exclusives.

The name “Pocky” comes from the Japanese onomatopoeia poki, meant to mimic the sound the biscuit makes when snapped. It’s designed as an easy, mess-free snack: a portion is left uncoated for holding—no melted chocolate fingers!

Why is Pocky So Popular?

There are so many reasons Pocky has stood the test of time:

• Portability & Convenience: Small, lightweight, and easy to stash in any bag.
• Shareability: The packs are perfect for passing around with friends.
• Endless Flavors: From classic chocolate to matcha, strawberry, and even limited-edition sake-infused varieties.
• Cultural Popularity: Pocky pops up in anime, J-dramas, and even has its own unofficial holiday: Pocky Day (November 11th, 11/11, since the sticks look like ones)!

Fun Facts About Pocky!

• In Japan, there are special regional exclusives like Shinshu Grape, Hokkaido Yubari Melon, and Kyushu Sweet Potato.
• There’s also a similar stick snack called Pretz (we’ll talk about those one day!).
• In France, Pocky is called Mikado, named after the pick-up sticks game.
• Pocky has even been to the International Space Station—sent in 2017 for a research experiment!

Pocky Tasting: One Familiar Flavor & Three New Discoveries

Now, for the fun part—tasting! I picked one flavor I already love plus three I’d never tried before. Here’s the rundown:

Familiar Flavor: Original Chocolate

First impression: This is the classic that started it all! The biscuit is coated in a smooth, lightly sweet chocolate that’s not too rich or overpowering.

Taste test: It’s super nostalgic and comforting. The crisp biscuit and chocolate combo is timeless. Not overly sweet, so it’s easy to eat a whole pack (ask me how I know!).

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! It’s a must-try if you’re new to Pocky. I remember having something similar as a kid, though I’m not sure if it was Pocky—but I definitely loved those crunchy biscuit sticks covered in chocolate.

Trying Flavor #1: Strawberry Crush

First impression: These sticks have a pretty pink strawberry coating with visible specks of dried strawberry. I’ve tried the standard strawberry before, but the crushed dried strawberry in this one adds an extra burst of freshness.

Taste test: Fruity, creamy, and slightly tangy. The flavor is like strawberry milk meets yogurt, and the smooth finish melts on your tongue. The biscuit’s crunch keeps it from being too sweet.

Would I buy again? Yes! It’s a fun twist on the usual chocolate and would be perfect for spring snacking.

Trying Flavor #2: Cookies & Cream

First impression: The white coating is speckled with tiny chocolate cookie bits, making it look just like an Oreo treat.

Taste test: Exactly what you’d hope for! Sweet, milky cream with crunchy cookie bits. It’s like cookies & cream ice cream on a biscuit stick.

Would I buy again? Maybe. It’s tasty, but there are a lot of cookies & cream snacks out there. I think kids and cookies & cream fans would go wild for it—my little one certainly loves them!

Trying Flavor #3: Matcha

First impression: The green tea color is rich and vibrant, and the aroma has that strong earthy matcha scent. I’ll admit I’m not a huge matcha fan, but if you are, the smell alone will reel you in.

Taste test: It’s complex and slightly bitter—in a good way. The matcha flavor is real and not masked by sugar, and the biscuit helps mellow it out. Definitely a more “grown-up” flavor compared to the others. Sometimes I wonder if I’d like it more if it were sweeter. If earthy flavors or matcha aren’t your thing, this one might not be up your alley.

Would I buy again? Not for myself, but absolutely for friends who love matcha. If you’re into matcha lattes or enjoy green tea, you’ll probably love this.

Final Thoughts & Ranking

Here’s how I’d rank these four flavors, from favorite to least favorite:

🥇 Cookies & Cream Pocky – Super tasty, great if you’re craving cookies & cream. 

🥈 Original Chocolate Pocky – A nostalgic, reliable classic.

🥉 Strawberry Pocky – Fruity, creamy, and perfectly sweet-tart. I bet it pairs wonderfully with vanilla desserts.

🏅 Matcha Pocky – Unique and perfect for green tea lovers, but not my snack of choice.

Pocky keeps surprising me with the sheer variety of flavors—there’s always something new to try! Whether you stick to the classics or go for the latest limited edition, there’s truly a Pocky for everyone.

Have you tried any of these flavors? What’s your all-time favorite Pocky? Leave a comment and let me know!

If you’re hungry for more snack adventures, check out some of my other posts and stay tuned for more reviews.

Keep tasting, Besties!