Bonchi Lemon Shirasu Age-Sen Rice Crackers Shio-Koji

Shirasu are whitebait — the translucent larval fish that Japan eats by the bowlful over rice, and which the Seto Inland Sea coast has built a local cuisine around.

Bonchi works them into the dough of this rice cracker along with aosa seaweed, so the base carries an actual marine savouriness rather than a dusting of seafood seasoning on top.

That combination has been the foundation of the Lemon Shirasu Age-sen series since 2016, and 2026 marks its tenth year.

This version changes the balance.

Where the original leads with the sharp citrus of Setouchi lemons — the Inland Sea islands are Japan’s premier lemon-growing region, warm and sheltered enough to ripen fruit that most of the country cannot — the shio-koji edition pulls the acidity back and brings something else forward.

Shio-koji is a fermented seasoning made from rice koji, salt and water, a traditional Japanese preparation that has been in home kitchens for centuries and that cooks use because the enzymes in it draw out umami rather than simply adding salt.

Against shirasu, it does exactly that: the fish reads deeper and rounder, and the lemon sits behind it as aroma rather than as sourness.

Bonchi describes the result as maroyaka — mellow, smooth-edged.

The crackers are fried and cut into sticks, easy to eat a handful at a time.

Bonchi packs them as four sealed portions inside the 56 g bag, which keeps the rest crisp and makes them practical for a lunchbox or a desk.

This is a summer release, built for the season when a sharp, salty-sour snack is what you actually want.

A limited-period item, launched in May 2026.

About this item
Item Name : Lemon Shirasu Age-Sen Shio-Koji
Brand : Bonchi
Item Form : Rice Cracker
Number of Items : 56g – 4 Small Packs (Pack of 1)