Anchor Ginger Root Beer: This vintage style root beer unfortunately falls flat, with an overly sweetened syrupy flavor that tastes very little of ginger. It reminds me of Dad's Root Beer, which I had at swimming meets at community pools growing up, not because it was good but because it was available. Purchased at Uwajimaya. 2.5/5.0
drinks soda rootbeer anchor ginger root beer 2.5
Lay’s White Cheddar Poppables: I was hoping these would be like 3D Doritos, but unfortunately they didn’t have the same impact. The chips are like football-shaped pockets with a lattice exterior similar to waffle fries. The dominant taste is of fried oil, and the white cheddar is there but not especially strong. I wouldn’t try them again, or any other flavors in this product line. 2.5/5.0
safeway lays white cheddar poppables 2.5
Tim’s Sour cream and onion potato chips: When I arrived in Seattle, it was late enough that most restaurants were closed (10pm by the way, which I’m not sure is a COVID thing or just that things close earlier more generally). The only thing open was a little bodega type shop called NYC Deli; in true Seattle style, as I was walking there, I got caught in a sudden downpour and was drenched by the time I arrived. I don’t know if there’s a bigger insult to a former New Yorker than to serve a sandwich with sliced bread and pass it off a... (read more) 2.5/5.0
potatochips sourcreamandonion tims sour cream onion potato chips 2.5
Lotte Chilsung Lemon Line Soft Drink: When I purchased this beverage to go along with my dinner in ICH, I was told that it was the Korean version of Sprite. I can confirm that it tasted exactly like Sprite. 2.5/5.0
drinks soda lotte chilsung lemon line soft drink 2.5
Tokyo Banana Pokmeon Edition Tokyo Banana: Tokyo Banana is a brand of cake only available in Japan that's marketed as the #1 souvenir. I bought a few boxes to mail as gifts when returning to the states, along with this single serving pouch of their special Pokemon edition. As far as I know, it's the exact same flavor as the original Tokyo Banana but features Pikachu printed on the sponge cake. The cake itself is very fluffy and soft but has very little flavor to it on its own; inside is a banana cream with a slightly brownish-yell... (read more) 2.5/5.0
japanese tokyobanana pokmeon edition tokyo banana 2.5
Doraemon Cafe Grapefruit and peach cream soda: I had planned to go to the “Doraemon” museum from before I came to Japan (technically the Fujiko Fujio museum, the artist who created Doraemon) since the robot cat is a favorite from my childhood. Last weekend, I finally got a solo ticket from Lawson after accepting I wouldn’t be able to convince any of my friends to go all the way out to Kanagawa, about an hour from Tokyo. I ended my trip at the small yet lovely museum with a trip to their cafe, ordering their Doraemon grapefruit and peach ... (read more) 2.5/5.0
Kanagawa japanese drinks doraemoncafe grapefruit peach cream soda 2.5 novelty