Which Calbee shrimp-flavored snack was first sold in Japan in 1964?

Which Calbee shrimp-flavored snack was first sold in Japan in 1964? The answer is Kappa Ebisen.

Kappa Ebisen is a Japanese shrimp-flavoured snack made by Calbee. Its primary ingredients include wheat flour, vegetable oil, starch, shrimp, sugar, and salt, producing a light, crisp snack with a distinctive seafood taste. It is commonly eaten as a packaged snack and is also associated with casual settings such as karaoke venues and bars.

Calbee first produced and sold Kappa Ebisen in Japan in 1964. The product became popular because its straightforward shrimp flavour and crunchy texture appealed to a broad audience. Calbee began exporting it to Hawaii and Southeast Asia in 1966, helping the snack develop an international presence beyond Japan.

Kappa Ebisen is sometimes confused with other Calbee products, including Saya-endo, Jagabee, and Jagarico. Those are separate snacks with different shapes, ingredients, and textures; they are not alternate names for Kappa Ebisen. International versions can also vary, with additional flavours such as curry or spicy editions appearing in different markets.

A similar shrimp snack from South Korea is Saewoo Kkang, produced by Nongshim since 1971, but it is a distinct product.