Kappa Ebisen is the Japanese shrimp snack introduced by Calbee in 1964.
Kappa Ebisen is a crunchy, stick-shaped snack made with shrimp and other ingredients. Calbee launched it in Japan in 1964, and it became one of the company’s signature products. The snack’s flavor comes from shrimp incorporated into the dough rather than from a separate seafood topping.
The name includes “Ebisen,” a Japanese term associated with shrimp crackers or shrimp snacks. “Kappa” refers to a water spirit from Japanese folklore and also connects with the product’s advertising and branding history. The snack is sold in Japan and has inspired related products in other markets.
Kappa Ebisen should not be confused with Pocky, which is a chocolate-coated biscuit stick, or with senbei, the broader category of Japanese rice crackers. Its defining ingredient is shrimp, and its manufacturer is Calbee.