Salty and satisfying, what Americans call “potato chips” are universally loved. Whether you call them “chips,” “crisps,” or “pommes chips,” it’s likely you’ve found yourself at the bottom of a bag – and wishing you had more.
From Indonesia to South Africa, here’s what potato chip fans around the world love to dig into.
In the US, Lay’s chips are a staple.
Lay’s, Pringles, and Ruffles top the charts for America’s most popular potato chip brands. Lay’s has especially upped the ante for potato chips in recent years, introducing unique flavor after unique flavor, some of which are only available in certain regions of the US.
Canadians enjoy flavors like poutine.
Visitors to Canada should look out for President's Choice chips, known for coming in a wide variety of unusual flavors. Grocery stores commonly carry options like Turkey Stuffing, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and - in classic Canadian fashion - Poutine.
Walkers crisps are the go-to in the UK.
Crisps in the UK are wildly popular.
Along with some other unique snacks, Walkers' crisps (originally a UK brand bought by PepsiCo, which also owns Lay's) reign supreme in the UK. The crisps come in flavors like Prawn Cocktail, Worcester Sauce, and Pickled Onion. Shoppers will also find other crisps like Hula Hoops and McCoy's.
In Egypt, Chipsy chips prevail.
If you want to snack like people in Egypt, picking up a bag of Chipsy chips (which is a subsidiary of PepsiCo, which also owns Lay's) makes a great start. There's even a preferred flavor amongst snackers: Chili and Lemon comes out on top as the most popular choice in the Egyptian market.
In Japan, Calbee's potato chip flavors are a favorite.
Japanese snack foods have developed a huge following, from millions of fans watching Youtubers cook tiny meals to entire subscription services being built around snacks.
Japanese potato chips live up to snackers' high standards. In a ranking of the most popular Japanese potato chips by SoraNews 24, seaweed-flavored Nori-Shio chips, Jagabee potato-and-butter chips, and Wasabeef chips topped the list.
In Mexico, people often eat Sabritas.
Sabritas, which is also owned by PepsiCo, sells a number of popular potato chips in Mexico. Snackers enjoy twists on internationally-known flavors like Sabritas Adobadas, Tostitos Salsa Verde, and Ruffles Queso. Snack lovers in Mexico also eat chips like Rancheritos.
Thailand has their own version of potato chips.
Thailand also carries a wide range of potato chips like Lay's Nori Seaweed, but perhaps their best iteration is the street food version. Vendors sell the snack in the form of an entire potato cut into a spiral, salted, and skewered.
In South Africa, Simba chips are popular.
Snackers in South Africa love digging into a bag of Simba chips (another brand from PepsiCo). Made from potatoes grown in South Africa, these crisps come in flavors like Tomato Sauce, Mexican Chilli, and Smoked Beef.
In India, Lay's has unique flavors.
In India, Lay's reigns as one of the most popular chip brands. The name of several flavors correspond to the region they were inspired by like India's Magic Masala, West Indies' Hot 'n' Sweet Chilli, Spanish Tomato Tango, and Swiss Grilled Cheese Flavor.
In Germany, paprika is often added to potato chips.
Germany's potato chip market follows a trend different from almost any other. Whereas a large number of other countries love flavors like salt and vinegar or classic salted most of all, German snackers mainly enjoy paprika-flavored chips, according to Handelsblatt Global.
Lay's offers unique potato chip flavors in Indonesia.
Snackers in Indonesia also love Lay's chips and enjoy a number of different flavors unique to that region. They have the option of enjoying more traditional flavors like Sour Cream and Onion, but might also opt for flavors like Honey Butter, Beef Barbecue, and Salmon Teriyaki.
In Russia, Lay's offers flavors that can't be found elsewhere.
In Russia, people will often seek out the familiar Lay's label. Some popular flavors in Russia include Crab, Green Onion, Dill Pickle, and Mushroom Soup.
Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.
