Nemuro, Japan's easternmost point, is a place that stirs the senses of wanderlust.

Nemuro is known as a town with abundant fishing grounds, boasting the largest catch of "Hanasaki crab" and "Pacific saury" in Japan.

Today, we'll be introducing "Holland Senbei," a traditional Nemuro snack that has been enjoyed for generations.

A Dutch-themed snack in Hokkaido? It looks like a waffle, but it's a rice cracker? What kind of snack is it exactly? We went to investigate.

Table of Contents:
1. "Hashiya Confectionery" located in a residential area of ​​Nemuro.
2. "Holland Senbei," a famous confection from Nemuro, Hokkaido.
3. The secret to the taste of "Holland Senbei"
4. How to enjoy Dutch crackers
5. Hashitani Confectionery Shop's Popular Sweets
6. Access to Hashiya Confectionery Shop
Final thoughts

"Hashiya Confectionery" is located in a residential area about a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk from JR Nemuro Station.

"Hashiya Confectionery" is open from 8:00 to 17:00 (closed on Sundays).

During long holidays, many people visit Nemuro City for sightseeing from all over Japan.

There are signs warning of deer on the road leading to Nemuro. Encounters with Hokkaido deer are common in the Nemuro area. Please drive carefully.

When it was founded in 1950, it started as a Nanbu senbei (rice cracker) shop.
We started making "Holland Senbei" (a type of rice cracker) around 40.

Apparently, there were several shops making "Holland Senbei" back then, but now only "Hashitani Confectionery" remains.

The name is said to originate from "Dutch Senbei," a type of cracker from Hirado City in Nagasaki Prefecture, where foreign ships frequently came and went. It is believed to have become a popular snack for fishermen to eat on their boats and then spread to the port of Nemuro.

While regular rice crackers make a crisp, crunchy sound when you break them, "Holland Senbei" has a soft texture that doesn't break even when you snap it. (Although it was hard when it was first released,)
(Apparently, they improved the texture to be softer based on customer requests.)

"Holland Senbei" crackers were popular as a snack in Nemuro movie theaters during the 1950s because they made no noise when eaten while watching a movie.

Hashitani Confectionery continues to preserve the traditional taste of "Holland Senbei" (a type of rice cracker).

Made primarily from wheat flour and based on brown sugar, this product has a simple and rustic flavor. High-quality ingredients are used, and no additives are used whatsoever.

"Holland Senbei" (Dutch rice crackers) are approximately 16 cm in diameter (4 crackers per bag).

As soon as you enter the shop, they're baking "Holland Senbei" (a type of cracker) right there.
Apparently, it only takes a few minutes to make one bag, including packaging.
"Holland Senbei" is characterized by its soft, chewy texture and springy bite. The softness is achieved by adjusting the amount of moisture and the baking time.

The subtle sweetness spreads in your mouth, making it a flavor you'll want to enjoy again and again. It's loved by people of all ages, from children to adults. The moderate sweetness is also a plus.

"Holland Senbei" was also featured on NHK General TV's "Let's Go! A Journey of Encounters in the North."
The unpretentious, old-fashioned packaging, free from excessive wrapping, is also part of the charm of Dutch rice crackers.

We don't mass-produce; each item is handmade, and we've continued to make them with the same taste since we first started the business.
"Holland Senbei" is sold at souvenir shops and roadside stations in eastern Hokkaido. They also accept orders for delivery to other regions.

"Holland Senbei" (a type of cracker) has a long shelf life, making it a good emergency food source. If you don't plan to eat it right away, it's recommended to freeze it.
We asked about the best way to eat "Holland Senbei"!

◇Enjoy it simply as is.

◇ Top with butter and cheese to make it like a pancake.

◇Serve it with jam or ice cream for a dessert-like experience.

Perfect as a dessert after a meal!

◇Charcoal grilling...Apparently, if you grill "Holland Senbei" over low heat, it becomes charred and delicious.

If you want to enjoy the sweet aroma, we recommend warming it slightly in a toaster.

Hashitani Confectionery has a popular rice cracker that has been made even longer than "Holland Senbei." Let's take a look!

[Egg crackers]
Made with plenty of eggs from Hokkaido. These rice crackers have a crispy texture and a subtle sweetness.

[Miso rice crackers]
Crispy baked rice crackers with a subtle miso base.

Both are popular products that are only sold at Hashitani Confectionery.

They also sell quarter-cut "Holland Senbei" crackers.

○ Access
car)
・Approximately 5 minutes by car from JR Nemuro Station
(On foot)
・Approximately 2 minutes on foot from JR Nemuro Station

<"Hashitani Confectionery Co., Ltd.">
HP)http://olandasenbei.com
Address: 2-11 Chishima-cho, Nemuro City, Hokkaido
Business hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on Sundays
Phone) 0153-23-3375

Final thoughts

On the day of the interview, local people were coming and going at Hashitani Confectionery.

"Holland Senbei" is a snack that holds cherished memories for those who have left their hometown of Nemuro.
Once you try "Holland Senbei," you'll want to eat it again and again—it's incredibly addictive!

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