Calbee is expanding its Kansai-limited potato chip brand "Kansai-Aji Roman" with a new Kyoto-inspired flavor: "Potato Chips Kansai-Aji Roman Chirimen Sansho." Following flavors representing Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga, this new entry recreates the taste of Kyoto's beloved chirimen sansho. It goes on sale on Monday, July 6, 2026, at non-convenience-store outlets across the Kinki region (Osaka, Hyogo, Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, and Wakayama), in limited quantities.
Background
Calbee launched the "Kansai-Aji Roman" series in April 2025 with the aim of creating products deeply rooted in local culture and loved by customers for years to come. The line-up currently includes two standard flavors: "Dashi Shio," which captures the flavor of a blended dashi said to have originated in Osaka, and "Seasoned Nori," made with nori seaweed from Harima-Nada, Hyogo Prefecture.
For this new flavor, Calbee worked with the Kyoto Prefectural Government to promote Kyoto's food culture during the flavor selection and package design process. Most notably, the product was supervised by Harema, a long-established shop in Kyoto's Miyagawacho district that carries on the original recipe credited as the birthplace of chirimen sansho. The goal was to faithfully reproduce the authentic taste of the Kyoto specialty.
Product Features
The chip delivers the rich umami and aroma of chirimen (dried young sardines) braised in soy sauce, followed by a sharp tingle of sansho pepper — a layered flavor profile designed to pair naturally with thick-cut potato chips, bringing the depth of authentic Kyoto flavors into an easy snack format.
The packaging uses Kyoto's traditional color, "Kyo-murasaki" (Kyoto purple), and is adorned with a karakami (decorative paper) pattern. Harema's icon is prominently featured, creating a design intended to convey the quality of the ingredients at a glance.
About Harema
Harema is a long-established specialty shop in Kyoto's Miyagawacho district, widely regarded as the birthplace of chirimen sansho. The dish traces its origins to the shop's first-generation chef, who created it as a small homemade gift to give to neighbors. Combining seafood and mountain spice simmered together, it is recognized as a Kyoto specialty born from a cook's ingenuity.
Product Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Potato Chips Kansai-Aji Roman Chirimen Sansho |
| Contents | 55g |
| Price | Open (suggested retail price approx. ¥160 including tax) |
| On Sale | Monday, July 6, 2026 |
| Sales Area | Kinki region (Osaka, Hyogo, Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama), non-convenience-store outlets only |
Note: Actual sale dates may vary slightly depending on retailer. Availability is not guaranteed at all stores, and the product may sell out.
