Meiji Meltyblend

The scoop

Spotted something interesting in the clearance aisle: Meiji Meltyblend has been marked down to clearance pricing in some stores. This 16-ounce package of Japanese chocolate is sporting that telltale asterisk, which means once it’s gone from your warehouse, it’s not coming back.

Meiji Meltyblend is a premium milk chocolate product from one of Japan’s most respected confectionery brands. The “melty” name isn’t just marketing fluff—this chocolate is specifically formulated to have a smooth, creamy melt-in-your-mouth texture that sets it apart from standard American chocolate bars. At 16 ounces, you’re getting a full pound of the stuff.

Whether this represents solid value depends on your chocolate preferences and what you’d normally pay for imported Japanese confections. Premium imported chocolate typically runs significantly higher than domestic brands, so even at partial markdown, this could be a decent opportunity for fans of Meiji products. The per-ounce cost on clearance is likely more competitive than what you’d find at specialty import stores or online retailers.

The clearance status probably comes down to either slow sales velocity (Japanese chocolate brands aren’t household names for many American shoppers) or Costco making room for new seasonal inventory. Given that we’re in mid-January, warehouses are often cycling through post-holiday stock and resetting for Valentine’s Day products. If you’ve been curious about trying authentic Japanese chocolate or you’re already a Meiji fan, inventory on this one won’t last long.

This is a solid pickup if you enjoy trying chocolates from different regions or you’re already familiar with Meiji’s quality. Have you tried Japanese chocolate brands before, or would this be your first experience with them?