Calbee Honey Butter Potato Chips: Back when I lived in Cambridge, I frequently saw honey butter flavored potato chips on the shelves at HMart, and despite my proclivity for odd snacks, this is one I left untouched. Little did I know that in late 2014, honey butter chips set off a frenzy in South Korea, with convenient stores frequently sold out and single bags going for as much as $50 (a 2500% markup) on eBay (google the Munchies article to learn more). After hearing about this craze, my sister and I bought a bag from 99 R... (read more) 1.5/5.0
korean honeybutter chips avoid calbee honey butter potato 1.5
Jarlsberg Garlic and Herb Cheese Crips: These unfortunate crisps contain only traces of cheese powder and mostly taste of dried thyme. Cannot see them pairing well with anything. 1.5/5.0
avoid berkeleybowl jarlsberg garlic herb cheese crips 1.5
Hidden Garden Ginger Snap Cookies with Butternut Squash: One of the major downsides of trying so many types of snacks is that when you hit a dud, you're stuck with an entire bag, which also stands in your way of trying new snacks until you finish it. These gluten-free cookies are quite frankly one of the worst snacks I've had all year. When you open the bag, you're hit with a strong scent of butter, which also dominates the taste. There's also a prominent sweet molasses flavor but very little ginger or butternut squash. I love the mellow sweet... (read more) 1.5/5.0
avoid hiddengarden ginger snap cookies butternut squash 1.5 berkeleybowl
Mary's Gone Crackers Everything Pretzels: Each pretzel stick is shaped like a twig and sized like a skinny cinnamon stick, with a texture that did not match my expectation for a pretzel at all – it's crispier, as if fried. The sticks are covered with an array of seasonings like poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and caraway seeds, but the flavor combination overall tastes like burnt garlic. One of the more unpleasant snacks I've consumed in some time. 1.5/5.0
avoid organic vegan marysgonecrackers everything pretzels 1.5
Wonderful Dessert and Cafe Grass jelly drink with boba: Wonderful Dessert and Cafe is a small shop lined with bulk candy bins. Counter for bubble tea in the back. Painted window signage declares that this shop has the "best tapioca in town." In actuality, it was one of the worst I've had from any establishment, with a mushy texture and no flavor. The herbal jelly tea was no better, with a medicinal metallic taste. Was hopeful given high online reviews and this store's location in Inner Richmond, which feels the most like Flushing, Queens as I've... (read more) 1.5/5.0
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Milwon Black Rice Steamed Bread: Frozen steamed buns are some of my favorite quick breakfast items. Back when I lived next to HMart, I would purchase them frequently. After not having had them for several months, I was happy to find some at my local Korean grocery store. These Milwon buns are made with black rice, which gives them a speckled purple color. Each fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and has a red bean filling. The only positive thing I can say about this product is that it's not too sweet. Otherwise... (read more) 1.5/5.0
korean redbean asian milwon black rice steamed bread 1.5 avoid