There it was, on West 40th Street, parked directly across from Bryant Park. A bright red panel truck painted with large graphic designs.
Passers-by were approaching the truck, reaching up to the folding window cut into its side, taking something from the hand that appeared, and walking away.
It was the Pocky truck.
Pocky is a little Japanese treat created by Ezaki Glico in 1966. Dubbed “the world’s first chocolate stick snack,” Pocky is a slender, crisp cooky (biscuit) stick with one end covered in a sweet coating. The name was inspired by the crunching noise made while eating a Pocky, described in Japan as “pokkin pokkin.”
The original Pocky was dipped in chocolate, but it now comes in a variety of flavors including strawberry, chocolate banana, cookies & cream, almond crush, and green tea. While only a handful of flavors are sold in the US, Pocky lovers in other countries have access to different shapes and sizes, limited editions, and seasonal flavors.
The Chinese enjoy peach flavored Pocky, and blueberry dipped Pocky is popular in Thailand, but the greatest variety is available in Pocky’s home country, where the slim snack has developed an almost cult-like following.
In fact, in Japan, November 11 is designated as Pocky Day because the date, 11.11, looks like four Pockys in a row. The date has been certified by the Japan Anniversary Association and is registered as an official national commemorative day. On the most recent Pocky Day, Pocky broke Twitter’s record for the most tweeted brand name in a 24-hour period, racking up 1,843,733 tweets.
So, what was that about a giveaway?
To spread the joy of Pocky, I will be giving a pack of the original chocolate dipped cooky sticks to a Blather From Brooklyn reader. For a chance to crunch into a Pocky, leave a comment on this post. Want a second entry? Comment on a different post. Third entry? Same deal.
The winner will be randomly selected and contacted via email (so please be sure to provide your email address). Sorry, US only, as there seem to be some bizarre rules regarding the mailing of food overseas. The deadline for all entries is Sunday, December 27, 11:59pm (Eastern Time). Good luck!
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Update: The giveaway is closed. Many thanks to all who participated; I enjoyed reading your comments. The winner is Jerry Marquardt! Thanks again; I plan to hold another giveaway soon.
People were approaching the truck
Something was being distributed
It was a truck filled with Pocky
More flavors available via Amazon.com (and in Japan)
Pocky commercial
Pocky Christmas Concert
Pocky
Facebook: Pocky
Rocket News: Happy Pocky Day
Glico: Pocky Worldwide
these look delicious
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Great idea!
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Wow! This looks like a great way to give the rest of us (non-NYers) a chance to try them.. Thanks for the giveaway..
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They look yummy!
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I have never tried these; but I want to. Yummy!!
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My daughter loves these but they are hard to find.
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love them
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These sound soooo good!
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Drooling on my computer, Please come to Dallas!
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It will be years before Pocky reaches Alabama! lol
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These look so good! I would love to try!
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The giveaway truck was a great idea….come to Georgia. They look and sound delicious.
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We have been eating these for years. Love them!
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I am a huge pocky fan and would love to see this truck!
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I absolutely love pocky!! The original and the matcha green tea ones are my absolute favorites!!
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Never heard of them before but they look good. I would like to try them.
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Pocky is a sweet snack!
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very tasty
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I’m not familiar with these, but would love to win a box! Thanks.
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They sound yummy!
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They sound delicious
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I have seen these all over the place but never tasted them. I would love to try them out.
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The people on the truck certainly look happy enough! I have a feeling I’ve had these sometime, but it could have been some other, non-original chocolate-dipped crunchy snack from a completely different country than Japan.
P.S. No entry, just a comment, as I live on completely the wrong continent. 😉
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Chocolate is the one and only for me. I would really love to try these.
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I love these!!!! Pocky is awesome!!
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I’m intrigued! I’ve never heard of these before now! 🙂
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Love trying new things. Thanks for the opportunity. Hope I win!
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These pics are great! I LOVE Pocky!! 🙂
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YUMMY!!!~
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These look very good!!!
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They sound like a great treat to have when I’m backpacking.
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I would love to win. sxybrt23(at)gmail(dot)com
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I remember eating something like this before, but it wasn’t this brand. Would love to try these. I love chocolate and cookies!
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These look delicious!
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pick me me please pick me
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i really want to try these.
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Chocolate makes my toes curl.
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These look so good! I would love to try these!
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Was introduced to Pocky from reading Naruto. Did a search and found them on Amazon. Totally yummy.
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I want to try these!!! They look great!!!
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Bring the Pocky truck to San Antonio. Would love to win some.
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Would love to try these!
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These look so good! I wish we had them here in the South!
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com
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Can’t wait to try them!
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I’d love to try these!
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I love Pocky! They’re delicious!
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I would love to win this delicious prize. I would like to thank you for giving all of us this chance to win this fine giveaway. versatileer(at)gmail(dot)com
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Yummy! Pocky!
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I haven’t had these wonderful snacks in years!
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This is my favorite Pocky commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aXg7pLFj6A.
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Sorry I forgot to put my email address. It’s mslilyk@yandex.com.
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I Love Pocky! the strawberry is good too!
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My granddaughter loves all things Japanese. She eats pocky sticks all the time.
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Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
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I’ve never heard of these but would love to try them. Chocolate is awesome!!!
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I don’t know if my email from the entry form will show to you but it’s hockeygalnc@hotmail.com Thanks!
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Love some Pocky!
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These look delicious
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I would love a taste all the way here in Iowa.
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Looks and sounds like a great treat. Would love to try them.
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I love pocky! I recently tried the banana chocolate and it was amazing! Thank you for the chance,
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Pocky sounds great.
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I love pocky so much. It instantly makes me happy!
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That looks yummy. I had not heard of them before. Thank you
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I’ve never tried Pocky so I’d love to win this!
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great post! Im drooling, really looks yummy!
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