This is the Calbee Jagariko Gyūtan, a regional limited-edition snack for the Tōhoku region, flavoured with grilled beef tongue, a specialty of Sendai.

Each box contained eight individually sealed bags, featuring four different designs of Calbee’s signature giraffe mascot in a samurai outfit reminiscent of Date Masamune, who is associated with the Tōhoku region. Each bag held 19 pieces.

The barcode also had a playful design, depicting a giraffe waiting with bated breath for the beef tongue to be grilled.

The snack consisted of rod-shaped, processed fried potato sticks, each measuring 4.5 cm in length (shorter than regular Jagariko and 0.5 cm in diameter. They had a golden-yellow hue with brown and black flecks, which, according to the ingredients list, were beef tongue-flavoured flakes. The aroma was savoury, meaty, and lightly spiced.

On tasting, the snack delivered a satisfying initial crispness before its hollow centre followed through with a firm, audible crunch throughout, consistent with regular Jagariko. The potato flavour was rich and pleasantly salted at first, before swiftly giving way to the brown specks, which contributed a meaty beef flavour that intensified from mid-bite into the finish, while the black flecks added a subtle peppery warmth. The overall profile was a mild beef flavour with a gentle spice, lingering subtly in the aftertaste, reminiscent of grilled beef tongue rather than presenting an immediately recognisable beef tongue note. The texture was particularly satisfying, recalling the crunchiest, thick-cut potato chips. Enjoyable and addictive for their texture and savoury appeal, they were well worth purchasing.

This Calbee Jagariko Gyūtan contained 160 g (20 g x 8 bags). It was produced in Japan and purchased in Matsushima, Japan in 2024.