I'm Irene, a Japanese-licensed pharmacist working in a Japanese drugstore. I was born in Taiwan and moved to Japan at around age 10. When choosing SAVAS, I would start with the exact flavour, the amount of powder and the allergy label, rather than the large “100” on the front.
The quick choice
- Want a whey-based chocolate powder? Look for Whey Protein 100 Rich Chocolate, ホエイプロテイン100 リッチショコラ味. One 28 g portion supplies 19.5 g of protein.
- Prefer soy as the main protein source? Look for Soy Protein 100 Cocoa, ソイプロテイン100 ココア味. One 28 g portion supplies 20.0 g of protein. This finished product still declares milk as well as soy.
- Trying the flavour before buying a large pack? Both have a 10.5 g trial sachet. A sachet is smaller than the standard 28 g portion, so it does not provide the same amount of protein.
Neither of these exact products is an option for someone who needs to avoid milk or soy because of an allergy. “Soy protein” identifies its protein source; it does not mean the finished product is dairy-free.
These are protein-powder foods, not medicines. A small difference in the label's protein or calorie number does not establish better muscle gain or weight loss.
Recognise the exact Japanese products
Whey Protein 100 Rich Chocolate
The current 800 g pack shown here has a gold-and-brown design and the name リッチショコラ味. The main ingredients are whey protein and cocoa powder. It also contains salt, vegetable oil, emulsifier, vitamins and sweeteners, including aspartame/L-phenylalanine compound and sucralose.
Soy Protein 100 Cocoa
The shown 224 g product is a green-and-white lidded container. Look for SOY and ココア味. Its main ingredients are defatted soy protein, cocoa powder and dextrin. Its sweeteners include aspartame/L-phenylalanine compound, sucralose and acesulfame K.
The “100” refers to the whey or soy used as the protein ingredient, not 100 g of protein in a drink or a powder made entirely of protein. Other flavours and older packages can have different figures and measuring instructions. Match your own pack before using this comparison.
Compare the same 28 g of powder
These are powder-only amounts per standard 28 g portion. Milk added at home contributes extra nutrients and energy. The figures are not daily intake targets.
| Label item per 28 g powder | Whey Rich Chocolate | Soy Cocoa |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 108 kcal | 103 kcal |
| Protein | 19.5 g | 20.0 g |
| Fat | 2.0 g | 1.4 g |
| Carbohydrate | 3.7 g | 3.0 g |
| Carbohydrate excluding fibre, 糖質 | 2.3 g | 1.49–2.43 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.4 g | 0.57–1.51 g |
| Salt equivalent | 0.31–0.76 g | 0.63–1.45 g |
| Niacin | 3.6–15.1 mg | 2.8–8.3 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.67 mg | 0.67 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.76 mg | 0.76 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.56 mg | 0.56 mg |
| Vitamin C | 43 mg | 43 mg |
| Vitamin D | 12.1 μg | 12.1 μg |
| Declared allergens | Milk, soy | Milk, soy |
Japanese 糖質 here means carbohydrate excluding dietary fibre, not a separate measurement of sugars. Keep the manufacturer's ranges as ranges rather than choosing the lowest number.
Irene's label-reading tip: the standard portions differ by just 0.5 g of protein. More useful questions are whether you need extra protein, whether the ingredients suit you and whether you like the flavour. “Soy” is not proof of weight-loss benefit, and “whey” is not a promise of a particular training result.
For the 10.5 g trial sachet, Whey Rich Chocolate provides 41 kcal and 7.3 g protein; Soy Cocoa provides 38 kcal and 7.5 g protein. Compare sachets with sachets, not with the standard-portion figures above.
How to mix them: the scoop instructions differ
- Check the flavour, portion weight and supplied spoon on your pack. For the current whey product, the manufacturer describes four level spoonfuls, about 28 g. For the current soy product, it describes four slightly over-level spoonfuls, about 28 g. Do not assume the same scoop technique applies to both.
- Mix that 28 g portion with 250 mL of water or milk. If using a shaker, put the liquid in first, then add the powder and close securely. Never shake warm or hot liquid in a sealed shaker: the lid or contents can fly out.
- For either 10.5 g trial sachet, dissolve the whole sachet in 100 mL of water or milk. The liquid amount may be adjusted to taste; changing it does not change the powder's nutrient amount.
- Make the drink immediately before using it and drink promptly. Do not prepare it in advance to carry around. Keep the dry powder at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, heat and humidity, and use promptly after opening.
The brand suggests two drinking occasions a day, but this is not a requirement for every shopper. Fit any extra portion into the food and supplements you already consume. If you are new to protein powder, the manufacturer advises starting with a small amount, provided you have no relevant allergy.
Before you buy
- Allergy: both exact labels declare milk and soy. Do not use a small “test sip” to check a known allergy. Check the pack again when buying a different flavour or a renewed version.
- Unwanted symptoms: stop taking the product and consult a doctor or other qualified professional if you feel unwell after drinking it, as Meiji advises.
- A prescribed diet, ongoing treatment, pregnancy or breastfeeding: have the exact product and intended amount checked with your healthcare professional. This comparison does not establish an individual protein requirement or clearance for a particular medical condition.
- Children: this is a general shopping comparison, not a child's portion guide. Do not treat the adult-looking 28 g comparison as an individual recommendation for a child.
- Other supplements: both add vitamins, including vitamin D. Count them alongside multivitamins and other fortified products rather than looking only at protein.
At the shelf, check the exact flavour, the milk/soy declaration and the 28 g measuring directions. If those suit your needs, a trial sachet can help you decide about taste before committing to a larger container.
Official sources
Japanese product information checked on 14 October 2026. Follow the label of the pack you purchase.
