Sophisca

So you’re preparing for the upcoming Halloween. Trick or treat for the kids and maybe a little something something for the adult party people. But you do not want to give them something generic. Not that I’m against it, but a special event calls for everything special. Sophisca can definitely fill out one part of that special thing.
When I entered this store, it screamed «expensive» because of the way the store was set up. Kinda like the ones you’d see in Paris selling sweets. Well surprise surprise, it wasn’t so expensive at all. It was affordably priced and the best part is that they sell those candies and chocolates by the gram. Trust me, I was to tempted to fill in my basket because not only they were sweets, but these were the type of sweets that only this store caters. Talk about uniqueness. This is definitely my go-​to if I needed any party treats.
Well even if you’re not holding a halloween party, but you’re probably visiting your neices and nephews, god daughters and god sons, or if you’re a preschool teacher wanting to give your students a treat, Sophisca will definitely have something for you.

I walk pass the store attracted by its colourful and interesting products inside. Out of curiosity, I went in to check out what the store is selling. They are not normal candy shops but candy with very interesting packaging.
What caught my attention was the one that resemble the condom packaging which really bluff me through. The place is really good for gift and can easily find gift for everyone, guys or girls, old or young. One particular one I saw for my mum is the big mahjong «FA CAI» tile that I am sure she will like it.
Other than the packaging, the taste of the candy is less of a focus for customers who that make their purchase here. Check this interesting candies out even if you are not buying.

First off, a clarification. My fellow scout Mun Kiat did a decent review of the place but got one important fact wrong. Sophisca is from TAIWAN not Japan. Probably an honest mistake, considering the packaging of the sweets and chocolates are very nice and similar in style with Japanese ones. But if you look closely, all of them have Chinese branding and instructions, and no Japanese.
On to the review. Sophisca is Taiwan’s first specialty candy store, first opened in 1997. The name is actually an acronym for smile, oishii, personal, high quality, international, sentimental, care and artlessness. They are actually famous for the selling ‘chocolates that are better than sex’ with quirky packaging like condoms box, underwear and sanitary pads.
But personally, I like the simple stuff. The fruit shape gummy candies are very good and not inferior to Japanese ones. The chocolate squares with text or cliparts where you can combine in a box of 4 or 9 to spell out a message, is a simple and innovative gift idea.
Another great place to buy a simple gift for any occasion.

Sophisca is a Japanese specialty sweets shop selling sweets in all kinds of packaging and flavors. Their basic sweets come at the price of $ 3.30 for 150g, which is slightly steep when you compare it to the sweets vendor in Chinatown during Chinese New Year period.
Their more expensive sweets however, come in beautiful packaging. Some, bizarre and interesting. They range from simple boxes with smileys and words to boxes in the design on condoms, band aids, mahjong tiles etc. These start from $ 2.20 per box onward. Be warned it can be pretty expensive for the more elaborate designs.
There is one that caught my eye, and finally bought: tray of sweets designed like a sushi set. The brights colors and design of the sweet make it look extremely similar to a sushi set. From the color choice, right down to the rice grains of the sushi. A small tray like that costs $ 11.80. After unwrapping, the sushi sweet is pretty good but still tastes like a normal sweet. The cost is steep most probably due to the intricate designs.
I recommend this place for novelty sweets and people looking for unique gifts. I am not sure if their designs are seasonal but it would be good if they had designers who come up with more interesting designs from time to time.