Special Edition Chips: Smoked Bacon and Pepper Salami Doritos

Ephemeral things are a big deal in Japan. I’m not just talking about sakura/cherry blossoms here. Almost every major brand has at least a handful of seasonal or special edition limited time only products each year if not each season itself. My favorites, besides the wars the fast food places have trying to one up each others’ special edition cheeseburgers, would be chip flavors.

It’s a ceaseless barrage of new flavors each month here in Japan. You could honestly buy a new type of chip every week and never have two the same twice. Pringles brand is the biggest offender/best sport about this. I’m pretty sure they’ve come out with at least one new chip flavor every month or so since I came to Japan about four years ago. And, you know, it works. It always gets my attention and I almost always buy one to try. But, like the sakura petals in springtime, by the time I realize I like the new flavor, it’s inevitably sold out and gone forever.

Here’s a gallery of my grocery store finds over the past few years.

Special Edition Chips: Hawaiian BBQ

IT was just regular BBQ flavor with more sugar, really.

Special Edition Chips: Korean Kimchi Pringles

Was not brave enough to try this one.

Special Edition Chips: Fried Chicken, Mexican Salt, and Pizza LA Teriyaki Chicken and Cheddar Cheese Pizza Doritos

The Pizza LA chips were good. Freaking good. But, Mexican Salt might as well be “plain”.

Special Edition Chips: Cheeseburger Cheetos

They really, honestly tasted like cheeseburgers! These were delicious!

Special Edition Chips: Wasabi Mayo Pringles

Nope, nope, nope.

Special Edition Chips: Steak Doritos

Found this one at Costco. Was this an American flavor I missed stateside?

Special Edition Chips: Devil Hot Pringles

They’re exaggerating. Really spicy things never make it to Japan, I feel.

Special Edition Chips: Butter and Salt Pringles

Again, might as well call it “plain”.

Special Edition Chips: Almond Cheese Doritos

THESE ARE MY FAVORITES! They were thick, and the almond flavor made them slightly sweet. So worth it. Wish they’d come back.

Special Edition Chips: Bacon and Cheese Pringles

The bacon overpowered the cheese.

Special Edition Chips: French Mustard Pringles

Good with sandwiches.

Special Edition Chips: Party Pizza Pringles

Didn’t taste like anything, really.

Special Edition Chips: French Bread x Subway
Cheese Roast Chicken Flavor, and BLT Flavor

Soooooo good. This brand makes bagel chip like snacks and they did remind me of the cheap bread flavoring of Subway. The thickness was the best part, though. Nice crisp, no grease.