Best International Food Subscription Boxes of 2021

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The 8 Best International Food Subscription Boxes

Best Italian: Gusto di Roma
Best Mexican: MexiCrate
Best German: German Food Box
Best Japanese: Bokksu
Best Eastern European: The Russia Box
Best French: Bon Appétit Box
Best Indian: IndiFix
Best British: The Great British Teabreak Box

International food subscription boxes deliver regional treats and delicacies to your door, making them the ideal option for ex-pats longing for a taste of home or housebound food and travel aficionados. While there are companies that send select edible items from a different country each month, we've rounded up businesses that specialize in just one. Read on to see our favorite subscription boxes for eight of the world’s best-loved cuisines, from Italian to Indian.

Our Top Picks

01 of 08

Best Italian: Gusto di Roma

We chose Gusto di Roma for its near-perfect reviews on Cratejoy.com, where current subscribers praise the company for its quality products and attentive customer service.

What We Like

Authentic items imported directly from Italy
No cooking or prep time required
Can choose not to auto-renew subscriptions

What We Don't Like

Pricey in comparison with other food boxes
No provision made for dietary requirements
Only ships within the U.S.

Foodies with a craving for authentic Italian flavors will love the Gusto di Roma subscription box, which delivers five to six items imported directly from Italy to your front door. Expect a mix of sweet and savory items: biscotti from Tuscany, perhaps, or olives from Abruzzo. All of the contents are ready to eat, with no cooking or prep time required. Want to know how to serve them for date night or your latest dinner party? Check the included insert for tips on arrangement and pairings.

All items are non-perishable, so you can enjoy them at your leisure. Gusto di Roma offers great flexibility, too, giving you the option to have your crate delivered monthly, every two months, or every three months. Boxes cost $84.99 per month, with a discount offered for customers who choose to pre-pay for three or six months. Subscriptions renew automatically unless you select the option not to auto-renew at checkout. Gusto di Roma ships within the U.S. only.

02 of 08

Best Mexican: MexiCrate

We chose MexiCrate because it is the most popular and best-reviewed subscription box for Mexican candy, with over 165,000 boxes delivered to date.

What We Like

Exceptionally well-priced
Great variety of boxes to choose from
Ships anywhere in the world

What We Don't Like

Dietary requirements cannot be catered for
Contents are relatively limited (no non-snack items)
Shipping is not included

Those who long to be south of the border will be able to satisfy some of their cravings with MexiCrate, a subscription box that specializes in Mexican candy, snacks, and pan dulce. Contents are imported directly from Mexico for maximum authenticity, and are hand-picked each month from more than 1,000 different items.

Expect the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, salty, and sour from your box, no matter which of the three different subscription options you choose. There's the Mexican Candy Liker Box (10 to 15 items), the Mexican Candy Lovers Box (22 to 30 items), and the Kings Mexican Candy Box (14 to 20 large items). The boxes cost $7.99, $15.95, and $34.99 per month respectively, and for each option, you can choose to pay monthly or to pre-pay for three or six months. Boxes ship on the first of the month and can be delivered worldwide, including to U.S. military bases. Shipping costs extra, as determined by USPS.

03 of 08

Best German: German Food Box

We chose the German Food Box for the diversity of its contents, and for their beautiful presentation in a decorative gift box.

What We Like

All products selected by native German experts
Box contains bigger food items as well as snacks
Can pause or cancel subscription at any time

What We Don't Like

No option for multi-month subscriptions
Subscriptions renew automatically
Shipping is an added cost

Founded by a German ex-pat living in Florida, the German Food Box delivers six to eight authentic German food items every month. The products are packed in a decorative gift box and range from sweet and savory snacks to iconic staples like bratwurst, spätzle, and stollen. Because many items require further preparation, the box also includes traditional German recipes, so that you can enjoy recreating your favorite meals in your own kitchen.

Boxes cost $49.90 per month, with an additional $9.90 for shipping. You can order multiple boxes each time, although the company doesn’t offer multi-month, pre-paid packages unless you’re ordering as a gift. Gift vouchers are available for three, six, and 12-month subscriptions, with a per-box discount included for the six- and 12-month options. Subscriptions renew automatically, although you can choose to pause or cancel yours at any time. Shipping is currently available in the U.S. only.

04 of 08

Best Japanese: Bokksu

We chose Bokksu as our favorite Japanese snack subscription box because contents are sourced from artisan family businesses, not mass-produced.

What We Like

Items sourced from small, family-run businesses
Boxes include a curated tea pairing
Shipping is free to most countries, including the U.S.

What We Don't Like

Pricier than other Japanese snack boxes
Cannot be customized for dietary requirements
One-month gift subscriptions are currently unavailable

There are many Japanese snack boxes on the market, but Bokksu stands out for its commitment to supporting the small, family-run business that has been perfecting their artisan treats for decades (and in some cases, centuries). Each box includes between 22 and 24 candies and savory snacks, all relevant to a monthly theme based on region or flavor. Bokksu also includes a complimentary tea pairing to help keep the tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony alive.

All boxes come with a Culture Guide that details each item’s story, how best to enjoy it, and allergen info. Subscriptions cost $49.95 per month, with increasing per-box discounts available if you choose to pre-pay for three, six, or 12 months. Personal subscriptions renew automatically, but if you choose to send yours as a gift, you can pay for a three-, six-, or 12-month package on a one-off basis. Bokksu ships worldwide from Japan, with free shipping for most countries.

Continue to 5 of 8 below.

05 of 08

Best Eastern European: The Russia Box

We chose The Russia Box for its excellent subscriber reviews, and for the inclusion of lifestyle items as well as edible ones.

What We Like

Each month follows a specific theme
Snacks are complemented by a traditional lifestyle item
All contents are sourced from small businesses

What We Don't Like

Dietary requirements cannot be catered for
Subscriptions renew automatically
Currently only available in the U.S.

Although it’s called The Russia Box, this subscription specializes in sweet and savory snacks from all over Eastern Europe. Each box represents a different theme—a specific tradition, festival, or culture—and includes one or two large items and five to 10 small and medium items. Uniquely, The Russia Box also includes one genuine cultural item, such as a traditional game, craft, or dining accessory. All contents are sourced from authentic local suppliers and folk artists.

Boxes cost $24.95 per month, and you can choose to receive yours monthly or quarterly. Either way, you will receive a discounted per-box rate if you choose a pre-paid plan (for either three or six months or two quarters). Boxes can also be sent as a gift to a friend or family member. Unless you remember to cancel it yourself, all subscriptions renew automatically. Monthly orders arrive between the first and 15th of every month; at the moment, shipping is only available within the U.S.

06 of 08

Best French: Bon Appétit Box

We chose Bon Appétit Box because of its authentic, artisan contents, chosen to reflect a different French theme each month.

What We Like

Each item hand-picked by French gourmands
No automatic renewals or unexpected costs
Option to purchase one-off boxes

What We Don't Like

No month-to-month subscription available
Limited variety of signature boxes
Shipping is charged extra via UPS

Bon Appétit Box stands out for the high quality of its authentic French products, which are hand-picked by brand founders and French gourmands, Zoé Capdevila and Bertrand Corp. There are two types of boxes to choose from: Snack Boxes and Signature Boxes, which feature seven to eight gourmet products centered around themes like French breakfast and Provence apéritifs.

All boxes come with cards sharing information about each item, including the small businesses and families who produce them. You can decide to purchase boxes on a one-off basis (the cheapest is $35) or sign up for a two-, four-, or six-month subscription. Unlike most other subscription boxes, Bon Appétit Box does not automatically renew, which means that you never have to worry about unexpected costs. The company also offers gift subscriptions, an online shop, and corporate gifting within the contiguous U.S.

07 of 08

Best Indian: IndiFix

We chose IndiFix as the winner of our Indian category because of its reviews from satisfied customers and its commitment to giving back to local communities.

What We Like

Can purchase non-renewing gift subscriptions
Each box funds a meal for an underprivileged Indian child
Free shipping within the U.S.

What We Don't Like

Personal subscriptions renew automatically
Dietary requirements other than vegetarianism are not catered for
Currently not available outside the U.S.

IndiFix claims to be the only subscription box for Indian food, and while that’s not quite true, it is certainly one of the best. Boxes include full-size, premium Indian snacks and treats ranging from chips and chocolates to juices and noodles. There are two versions to choose from: The Original Fix includes more than 12 items and costs $30 per month, while the Super Fix costs $44 per month and includes over 20 items.

Vegetarians will be pleased to hear that all contents are suitable for a non-carnivorous diet (although vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements cannot be specifically catered for). Choose to pay month-to-month, or sign up for a pre-paid three-, six-, or 12-month plan. You can also buy one-off boxes and non-renewing subscriptions from the Gift section of the website. With every box purchased, a meal is donated to an Indian child in need.

08 of 08

Best British: The Great British Teabreak Box

We chose The Great British Teabreak Box for its thoughtful selection of treats and above-and-beyond approach to customer service.

What We Like

Affordable monthly price
Diverse selection of sweet and savory treats
Seller offers flexibility depending on preferences

What We Don't Like

Subscriptions renew automatically
Shipping is charged extra
Packages cannot be tracked

If you’re passionate about tea and treats, you’ll love The Great British Teabreak Box. Each delivery includes a carefully chosen mug for that perfect cuppa, a selection of eight assorted tea bags, a full-size pack of popular British biscuits, a full-sized chocolate bar, and an assortment of at least six more savory and sweet snacks.

Prices start from $29.33 per month, with subscriptions renewing automatically. Current subscribers comment that all items are thoughtfully selected and well packaged, and that boxes provide excellent value for money. Above all, this company stands out for its exceptional customer service, which allows subscribers to request changes according to their preferences. Want more tea and fewer snacks? No problem. Have flavors you don’t like or ingredients you’re allergic to? Just request for them to be excluded from your box. The Great British Teabreak Box ships worldwide, for a fee.

Final Verdict

The best international food subscription box depends on your personal preferences. If it's gourmet French cuisine that makes you salivate, you’ll love Bon Appétit Box. If hearty German staples are more your thing, try the German Food Box, or opt for Gusto di Roma for European comfort food of the Italian variety. Snack kings and queens should choose MexiCrate, IndiFix, The Russia Box, or Bokksu for treats from Mexico, India, Eastern Europe, and Japan respectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best international snack box?

A: The best international snack box depends on your preferred cuisine, but we love MexiCrate for Mexican snacks, IndiFix for Indian snacks, Bokksu for Japanese snacks, and The Russia Box for snacks from Eastern Europe.

Q: Who makes the best European food box?

A: Gusto di Roma gets rave reviews from fans of Italian food, while Bon Appétit Box and the German Food Box stand out as the top picks for French and German food.

Q: Which is the best Japanese snack subscription box?

A: Bokksu is our top choice for Japanese snacks because each item is sourced from established, family-run small businesses with a focus on keeping Japanese culinary traditions alive.

Q: How much do international food subscription boxes cost?

A: International food subscription boxes vary greatly in price, depending on the size, contents, and subscription plan. Month-to-month prices for boxes featured in this article range from $7.99 to $85 per month.

How We Chose the Best International Food Subscription Boxes

With a wide range of international food subscription boxes to choose from, we used several criteria to narrow down our selection. First, we decided to focus on companies that specialize in a single cuisine, rather than offering snacks from all over the world. We found that specialist companies typically have a better understanding of local culture and were able to source from more unusual, artisan suppliers. Next, we only considered companies with excellent reviews, either on Cratejoy.com or in independent media articles. We also gave preference to companies who champion small businesses or give back to the local community in some other way.