Willy Wonka Ain’t Got Jack on Them

When it comes to snacking, the Japanese have transformed that lost, stoner art into a science. Think about it: What other culture has such a creative, spontaneous, deranged, wacky, and random view of the snacking world? Those Wonka-like wizards across the Pacific have birthed treats such as Pocky, Japan’s most famous stick-based candy, and EveryBurger, a sesame-seed-encrusted chocolate snack shaped like a cute little hamburger. They’ve even concocted a brand of chewing gum that purports to make your “man sweat” smell like roses. Freaky deaky!

Take your appreciation of snackitude to the next level at Sunday’s “Springtime Japanese Snack Tasting” at Tate’s Comics (4566 N. University Drive, Lauderhill). This free event will give fans of adventurous eating a chance to sample dozens of candies, chips, cookies, drinks, and other sweet and savory bites from the Land of the Rising Sun. There will be a raffle for goody bags filled with strange and amazing munchies. Plus, fans who bring in a flier (printable at tatescomics.com) can take home any of Tate’s wide selection of Japanese snacks at a special buy-two-get-one-free price. The snack party begins at 2 p.m. and runs until 4. Call 954-748-0181.
Sun., March 13, 2 p.m., 2011