Jibachi Senbei are a unique Japanese snack made with whole dried digger wasps baked into savoury crackers.
The unusual treat was created in Omachi by a local wasp enthusiast group working with a bakery. Members collect edible digger wasps from forests, boil and dry them and then mix them into cracker dough. The crackers are said to have a mildly sweet taste, while the dried wasps reportedly taste similar to burnt raisins.
The snack has become a novelty food popular with curious tourists and some older locals. The wasp species used, Vespula flaviceps, is considered safe to eat and is known for its high protein content. E