The best seaweed snacks are deliciously tasty and light. When done right, they produce a mouthwatering savory flavor and an appetizing saltiness. Not all seaweed snacks are made the same, though. There’s a wide spectrum of them all over the world, especially in the East. The type of nori, seasonings, oil, and method of preparation are all x-factors that set different brands apart. For the purpose of this taste test we’re looking at the best seaweed snacks that are readily available online and at American grocery stores. That includes H-Mart, which has more than 90 locations across the country.
For seaweed snacks to reach their full nori glory, they absolutely need a bold savory flavor that brings the umami. Texture-wise, they shouldn’t be too thin and fragile. We know plenty of people buy these as the “healthier” alternative to other snacks, but they should still taste like an actual satisfying snack and not like the mere concept of snack food. The best seaweed snacks should have good seasoning, use good oil, and provide a crunchy, light, yet big-on-flavor experience. That’s all we’re asking—and luckily, we’ve got a long list of brands that deliver.
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- Simple Truth Wasabi Seaweed Snacks
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I’m a pretty outspoken Simple Truth critic. While their products are affordable and accessible (as long as you have a Kroger-owned grocery store nearby), they can be pretty hit or miss. But I’m happy to report their wasabi seaweed snacks are among the brand’s better creations—and since they’re so easy to find, I actually buy them more frequently than any other brand on this list. That wasabi burns right up through my nose in a way that makes me question if I’m a masochist; the flavor is pleasantly biting, sharp, and addictive. While Simple Truth may not make the absolute best seaweed snacks out there, if this is a brand you have access to, buy them! You won’t be disappointed. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Yangban Sea Veggies Sea Salt Seaweed Snack
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Yangban makes a lot of different seaweed snacks, but their straight-forward sea salt seasoned sheets of seaweed were among the best seaweed snacks we tried. These delicate snacks have a really nice funkiness and a lot of good salt and fat. The flavor is bold, which I quite enjoy. Yangban is a Korean company, and you can find a lot of their products at your local H Mart if you live near one. This particular variety looks like it was made and marketed specifically to sell at American grocery stores, but if you happen to find a more authentic-looking pack, give it a shot. —Danny Palumbo
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Sprouts Sea Salt Roasted Seaweed Snack
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These Sprouts seaweed snacks also surprised the hell out of me. The nori sheets are a bit slick from the sesame oil, and the salt flavor really makes your mouth water. It’s not the most complex thing in the world, but I love how well they execute a simple product. If you’re a regular shopper at Sprouts, pick these up. —Danny Palumbo
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Nora Crispy Seaweed Snacks
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These aren’t traditional in the sense that they are extra thick for seaweed snacks. If your hang-up with seaweed snacks is that they’re too paper thin, I suggest Nora, which are thick cut like slabs of bacon and pack a wonderful umami punch. Per Nora’s package: “Seaweed is the most nutrient dense vegetable on the planet, and one of the world’s most sustainable crops: needs no fertilizers, no fresh water, and removes C02 from our oceans.” I like how sustainable and substantial this is, and there’s a bit of a kick from the white pepper powder listed in the ingredients. —Danny Palumbo
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Kroger Sea Salt Roasted Seaweed Snack
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These had my favorite salty flavor of them all—you can actually see the little salty crystals on the roasted nori sheets. Plus, they have a little bit of that oiliness that makes the seaweed snack feel just a bit fatty. Kroger uses a combination of expeller-pressed canola oil and sesame oil, but I wish there was more of a sesame vibe here. Still, I was really surprised that Kroger made such boldly salty seaweed snacks. They’re undeniably delicious. —Danny Palumbo
Credit: Liv Averett / Kroger
- Trader Joe’s Tempura Seaweed Snacks
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These tempura seaweed snacks from TJ’s are my first introduction to fried seaweed snacks—and I think they really pulled it off. These satisfying seaweed bites are crunchy and salty, with a nice layer of crispy (if slightly burnt) tempura coating. You get a light spice and sweetness from the togarashi seasoning, giving it a classic umami flavor that definitely satisfies. Are they the best seaweed snacks to buy if you’re trying to snack on healthier alternatives? No, ma’am. But I almost ate the whole bag in one sitting, and that has to count for something. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Nicos Seasoned Roasted Seaweed Snacks
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Nicos seaweed snacks have a delightfully potent umami flavor. These seasoned snacks gave me strong MSG vibes, but they’re just laver (another word for seaweed) with some salt, corn oil, and sesame oil. Nicos seasoned seaweed snacks are mouth-smackingly good, and there’s a nice oiliness to them that keeps you coming back for more. —Danny Palumbo
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Gimme Korean BBQ Seaweed Snacks
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The Korean BBQ flavor trend is really going around recently (may I present Korean BBQ Spam and Flamin’ Hot Korean BBQ Doritos as evidence), and as vague as “Korean BBQ” can be in terms of flavor, I’m still gonna ride the high of this trend until it inevitably disappears. These Gimme seaweed snacks have a bright gochujang sweetness and the perfect amount of chili heat and savory tamari soy sauce flavor to balance it. If you’re craving a Korean-inspired snack that’s lighter on your stomach than a bag of extra hot Doritos, these are the best seaweed snacks to pick up. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Bibigo Wasabi Seaweed Snacks
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I only have nice things to say about Bibigo, the Korean brand responsible for some of my favorite dumplings, wontons, and even my most replayed K-drama of the past year (yes, I’m talking about A Business Proposal). It’s no surprise they make some of the best Korean seaweed snacks, too. I directly compared these to Simple Truth’s wasabi seaweed snacks, and to me, these have a more authentic and fresh-tasting wasabi flavor. (Simple Truth is slightly spicier, though, in case you’re trying to clear out your sinuses.) The sesame oil, horseradish powder, and wasabi powder makes for a clean, powerful punch of heat. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Kirkland Roasted Seaweed Snacks
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You better have a whole cabinet shelf ready to dedicate to these Costco seaweed snacks, because these come ten to a pack, and the packs themselves are larger than average. The seaweed quality is really nice, too—it’s sturdy, thicker than you would expect, and slightly chewy. If you, like me, use seaweed snacks to scoop up spicy tuna rice and eat them like makeshift sushi, I highly recommend these. They won’t break and disintegrate in your hands. Plus, they have a simple but lovely roasted savory flavor to them. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Big Sheet by Tao Kae Noi Crispy Seaweed
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These Thai seaweed snacks are thick, substantial, and carry a really nice unadulterated nori flavor. They have even more umami simply due to the sheer size of the sheets, which are thick and formidable. As a result, they don’t crumble to dust and you don’t feel like you’re eating sheets of paper. This could actually make a dent in your hunger pangs, and the flavor is pure. Add these to ramen and salads for extra flavor and texture. Hell, I’d crumble up these sheets on some pasta at home, too. There’s also a great article about the young entrepreneur who makes these. I love his hustle. This dude started out selling chestnuts at the mall. Respect. —Danny Palumbo
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Gimme Teriyaki Roasted Seaweed Snacks
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Gimme’s teriyaki seaweed snacks are subtly smoky and sweet, and have a really nice, complex flavor. They’re salty-sweet and the sheets of nori taste rich with fat, too. Gimme uses a combination of sesame oil and sunflower oil, so there’s an extra nutty flavor that permeates the snacks. I love the addition of tamari soy sauce, onion, and garlic, too. These are seaweed snacks, so the flavor is pretty subtle, but man, I preferred these to the other teriyaki seaweed snacks we tried by far. —Danny Palumbo
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Nicos Green Tea Seaweed Snacks
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Nicos green tea-flavored seaweed snacks really caught me off guard. The green tea taste is aromatic and lovely, and there is a pronounced, savory flavor, too. Nicos strikes a great balance of meaty and lightly fragrant. They also use three oils: olive oil, sesame oil, and canola oil. Together, they create a deeply rich and engaging taste. We tried a lot of brands and a lot of flavors, and these are still the best seaweed snacks you can buy.—Danny Palumbo
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
Runner Up, Best Wasabi
Best Bold Flavor
Best Simple
Best Thick
Best Salty Flavor
Best Tempura
Best Umami Flavor
Best Korean BBQ
Best Wasabi Flavor
Best Bulk
Best Texture
Best Teriyaki
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried: Ocean’s Halo Sea Salt, Gimme Sea Salt, Gimme Toasted Sesame, SeaSnax Chomperz, Jayone Roasted and Seasoned, Fusia Roasted, Trader Joe’s Roasted Sea Salt, Trader Joe’s Organic Teriyaki, Simple Truth Roasted Sea Salt Seaweed Snacks, Trader Joe’s Teriyaki Seaweed Snacks, Trader Joe’s Roasted Sea Salt Seaweed Snacks, Trader Joe’s Organic Roasted Sea Salt Seaweed Snacks
