10 Asian Snacks That Make Great Potato Chip Alternatives - Tasting Table

"If you want something crunchy beyond ordinary potato chips, there's a whole world of Asian snacks out there to tempt your tastebuds. We've found several categories of Asian snack alternatives to potato chips that may be as close as your nearest Asian market. Although, others might require an online purchase or even hunting down a recipe to make at home. Still, all of them have one thing in common with potato chips: savory flavors and satisfying crunch."

"Crunchy snacks cross cultural boundaries so easily because the noise we hear when we crunch them tricks our caveman brain into thinking we're getting fresher and therefore healthier food (think crunchy versus soggy apples or celery). That's not to say that all these crunchy snacks are healthy or unhealthy, but the crunch will be just as satisfying as that of a potato chip. Plus, you'll get to experience new flavors and textures. In fact, you just might find a new favorite."

"They're deep fried and are great piping hot and crisp straight from the kitchen, whether your own or a restaurant's. These chips come in various colors and are made from dried shrimp, tapioca, baking soda, and seasonings like garlic and sometimes whole peppercorns. They have an airy, porous melt-in-your-mouth yet crisp mouthfeel that reminds us of Munchos potato chips. Eating them is a little like crunching down on flavorful tasty Styrofoam, but we mean that in the best possible way."

Asian snacks offer crunchy, savory alternatives to potato chips across chips, crackers, fried flatbreads, snack mixes, and fried noodles. Crunch provides sensory satisfaction by signaling freshness to human perception, though crunch does not indicate healthfulness. Some Asian snacks require visits to Asian markets, online purchasing, or homemade preparation. Shrimp chips are deep-fried, airy, and porous, made from dried shrimp, tapioca, baking soda, and seasonings like garlic and peppercorns, producing a melt-in-the-mouth yet crisp texture similar to Munchos. Exploring these snacks reveals new flavors and textures and may uncover new favorite crunchy treats.

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