Marking White Day this year? Get your decadent treats from these amazing Asian chocolatiers.
If you think Valentine’s Day is for couples to exchange gifts, your Japanese friends may disagree! In Japan and Korea, February 14 is reserved for women to give gifts to men — almost always in some form of cocoa-covered delight.
But don’t worry, ladies! Exactly one month after Valentine’s Day, Japan celebrates White Day on March 14, when men return the favour — traditionally with white chocolate — for the women who gifted them. All’s fair in love and chocolate!
This White Day, why not shake things up and embrace the Japanese tradition? After all, who would say no to more chocolate? And if you’re looking to take your gifting up a notch, we’ve rounded up the finest artisanal chocolates in Niseko, Phuket, Bali and other Asian destinations, too.
Niseko, Japan
Nicao
View this post on Instagram
As Niseko’s first bean-to-bar chocolate brand, Nicao is dedicated to handcrafting exquisite chocolate from ethically sourced cacao. Every step — from bean selection to final product — is done in a cosy workshop at the base of Mount Yotei by a lean three-person team. Nicao’s chocolates marry the rich, complex flavours of award-winning cacao from Guatemala, with Hokkaido’s local ingredients such as beet sugar, whole milk, umeshu (plum wine) and chilli pepper.
Cacao Crown
View this post on Instagram
Combining high-quality milk from Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm with premium cacao from around the world, Cacao Crown crafts exceptional bean-to-bar chocolate. While the farm is famous for its Milk Kobo dairy products, owner Mamoru Takahashi saw a great opportunity to collaborate with cacao farmers and blend rich Hokkaido dairy with world-class cacao. By carefully manufacturing each ingredient in-house, Cacao Crown enhances the milk and the cacao beans, developing distinct and nuanced flavors.
Read More: 5 Best Restaurants to Book in Niseko, According to Actress and Model Paula Taylor
Bali, Indonesia
Junglegold Bali
View this post on Instagram
As the world’s first plant-based, artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate, Junglegold is redefining ethical indulgence. Sourcing organic cacao directly from Indonesian farmers, they craft award-winning, dairy-free chocolates made using sustainable techniques.
Junglegold offers a variety of guilt-free treats from bold single-origin dark chocolate to creative tropical-infused flavours, sweetened naturally with local coconut blossom sugar. For an even sweeter experience, sign up for Junglegold Bali’s factory tour or chocolate making workshop.
Sorga Chocolate
View this post on Instagram
At Sorga Chocolate, dark chocolate knows no limits. From the bold intensity of 100% cacao to exotic Balinese fusions like Rambutan and Salty Cashew, each bar of chocolate is handcrafted from ethically sourced cacao and natural ingredients.
Hungry for more? Visit their Cocoa Club Café, where you can savour premium coffee, all-day breakfast, and chocolate treats. Sorga Chocolate also offers chocolate factory tours and chocolate-crafting classes for a closer chocolate encounter.
Read More: An Insider’s Guide To Umalas Village, Bali’s Hot New Neighbourhood – WanderLuxe
Phuket, Thailand
PARADAi Chocolate
View this post on Instagram
Overall winner of the International Chocolate Awards World Final in 2022, PARADAi Chocolate is a Thai chocolate brand that handcrafts world-class confections using locally grown cacao. Sourcing single-origin beans from the founder’s family-owned farm in Phuket, each chocolate bar showcases the rich terroir of Thailand’s cacao-growing regions.
Beyond their multi-award-winning chocolates, PARADAi is also known for their signature Single Origin Phuket Cacao Soft Serve — perfect for cooling off in Thailand’s tropical climate.
Read More: Travelling to Phuket? Here’s Why You Should Go To Natai Beach
BARADA Chocolate
View this post on Instagram
BARADA Chocolate is a bean-to-bar brand dedicated to crafting small-batch chocolate from locally sourced cacao. Cultivating a movement toward ethical food production, they work closely with small family farms in Chiang Mai and Loe to promote local cacao and preserve traditional farming techniques.
BARADA is also a top pick for health-conscious chocolate lovers as they utilise a 48-hour grinding method to produce rich chocolate with less sugar and more minerals.
Samui, Thailand
Samui Chocolate
View this post on Instagram
For vegans and plant-based enthusiasts, Samui Chocolate transforms ethically sourced cacao into 100% natural vegan chocolate. Free from additives, GMOs, and trans fats, their small-batch creations celebrate pure and natural flavours. Beyond handcrafted chocolate bars, they also produce cocoa butter, nibs, and coconut mass. For a personal touch, Samui Chocolate offers custom branding and bespoke flavours for businesses and events.
Read More: Where To Live Out The White Lotus Season 3 In Samui
Philippines
Auro Chocolate
View this post on Instagram
Pioneering the future of Filipino cacao, Auro Chocolate is an internationally-awarded tree-to-bar brand that champions sustainability and direct trade. Sourcing only the finest single-origin beans from local farmers, expect a variety of complex flavours in Auro’s products.
The brand has also earned global recognition, including Gold at the Academy of Chocolate Awards (2019, 2020), multiple Great Taste Awards (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022). For those seeking more indulgence, Auro has cafés around Metro Manila serving chocolate-infused dishes, drinks, and desserts.
Malagos Chocolate
View this post on Instagram
Based in Davao City, Malagos Chocolate is a family-owned, tree-to-bar chocolate maker dedicated to preserving Heirloom Cacao. Sourcing from their own Puentespina Farm and local growers, they craft premium single-origin chocolates that showcase the rich flavors of Philippine cacao.
Their commitment to quality has earned 56 international awards, including wins at the International Chocolate Awards, Academy of Chocolate Awards, and the World Drinking Chocolate Competition, where their 100% Premium Unsweetened Chocolate won five awards in 2020.
Taiwan
Yu Chocolatier
View this post on Instagram
Founded by chef Yu Hsuan Cheng, Tatler Dining Awards Taiwan’s Best Pastry Chef in 2024, Yu Chocolatier infuses single-origin cacao with local ingredients like oolong tea and Taiwanese whisky to create bold yet elegant bean-to-bar chocolates and pastries.
Recognised by the Academy of Chocolate Awards and the International Chocolate Awards, Yu Chocolatier has gained international acclaim — becoming the first Taiwanese brand to exhibit at Salon du Chocolat Paris (2017) and earning a place at Taiwan’s 2024 State Banquet.
Zheng Zhi-Yuan Chocolate
View this post on Instagram
Honouring Taiwan’s cacao heritage, Zhen Zhi-Yuan crafts award-winning tree-to-bar chocolate using single-origin cacao from Pingtung, Taiwan. Their dedication to working closely with local farmers and cultivating the region’s cacao has earned global recognition, including Gold at the Academy of Chocolate Awards (2022, 2023) and multiple International Chocolate Awards. By blending tradition with innovation, Zhen Zhi-Yuan is developing Taiwan’s cacao economy — one thoughtfully crafted bar at a time.
Vietnam
Binon Cacao
View this post on Instagram
Though Binon Cacao’s chocolates are widely available in retail stores across Vietnam and beyond, they are crafted from single-origin cacao grown in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, part of the Cacao Belt. Founded to empower local farmers and champion Vietnamese cacao, Binon has earned international accolades, including awards from the Asia-Pacific International Chocolate Awards. Visitors can explore this journey at Binon Cacao Park, an immersive destination where chocolate lovers can tour the farm, witness the production process, and take part in hands-on workshops.