What is the "best by" date, and how long after it can I enjoy my food products?Updated a year ago

Japanese candies, chips, dried noodles, drinks, and other snacks in our lucky bags will have these 4 kanji (賞味期限) on them somewhere, often printed in a white box, with black printed numbers underneath. This word is read as "Shomi kigen".

The word to word translation means "Guaranteed Delicious Term", or what we call the "Best Before"  or "Best if Eaten By" date, which is really just the time frame in which the chip / candy / noodle / drink manufacturer, based on internal tests of their product, thinks is the period of peak deliciousness for that wonderful snack.

Long story short, as long as the packaging is sealed, and it has been stored somewhere clean and safe and dark, most of these can be eaten for a fairly long time after that date has passed.