This is the Calbee Kappa Ebisen Zeppin Seto Salt & Scallop, featuring 53% salt from Ajinomoto’s Seto no Honjio brand. This premium salt is sourced exclusively from seawater in Bizen and Okayama, traditional salt-producing regions along the Seto Inland Sea. The presence of nigari (bittern) in the seawater contributes to its mild flavour, enhancing the salt’s delicate profile.
Each cracker was approximately twice the size of the brand’s original variety, measuring around 4 × 1.7 × 0.7 cm, with a savoury shrimp aroma reminiscent of classic Kappa Ebisen.
On tasting, the fine salt was immediately noticeable, establishing the snack’s savoury foundation. The initial crunch gave way to a distinct scallop aroma that emerged shortly after. The mild salt heightened these flavours mid-bite, enriching the shrimp base with a deep, sweet umami reminiscent of high-quality seafood, particularly the natural sweetness of fresh scallops in the finish. The layered interplay of shrimp and scallop umami, the subtle yet effective salt, and the satisfying crispness made this a standout variation of Kappa Ebisen, well worth repurchasing.
This Calbee Kappa Ebisen Zeppin Hamami Salt and Wasabi contained 60 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2024.