Furuta Green Tea Cookies: I was lucky to find these crumbly green tea sandwich cookies at Niniya Market for a very reasonable price just over $3. The biscuits are lightly sweetened and more substantial than normal Oreo-like sandwich cookies, and the cream filling has a much more natural matcha flavor than most packaged snacks I’ve had. Great value and taste! 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese matcha nijiya furuta green tea cookies 3.5
Riska Yasai Salad Snack: I’m on a quest to try all flavors of umaibo, the Japanese puffed corn snack. This one is salad flavored, resembling veggie crackers but with an Asian twist incorporating soy and sesame oil. They have a consistent ring-shaped form factor thicker than American Funyuns. It’s not one of my favorite umaibo flavors, but it’s still tasty. 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese umaibo riska yasai salad snack 3.5
Boba Guys Horchata: For those who are tired of Asian bubble tea options, the horchata at Boba Guys is refreshingly sweet, with a pleasant spiced cinnamon flavor. 3.5/5.0
drinks recommended bobaguys horchata 3.5
Iceskimo Shaved Snow: Located in La Jolla, Iceskimo is a self-proclaimed "artisan snow shavery" serving shaved ice inspired by those found in Taiwan and Hawaii. The shaved ice is a mix between ice cream and shaved ice - creamier than the shaved ice found on the streets of Taipei, shaved thinly into overlapping ribbons. They have many classic Asian flavors to chose from, from black sesame to matcha to Thai tea. I tried both the black sesame (pictured) as well as the Thai tea and found the Thai tea to be the mos... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended desserts taiwnaese shavedice blacksesame thaitea boba icecream iceskimo shaved snow 3.5
Ring Baked Tofu Donuts Matcha Donut: A second flavor I tried from specialty donut shop Ring Donuts is their traditional matcha donut. Made with rice flour and soy milk, this small donut cost $2.50 and has a subtle green tea flavor. What makes it stand out is its moist yet light texture. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth a try. 3.5/5.0
recommended losangeles la ringbakedtofudonuts matcha donut 3.5
Barnana Gingersnap banana brittle: Made from upcycled bananas, these crispy thin brittle chips pack a punch, with a winning spiced gingerbread flavor. Like combining banana nut bread with gingerbread, it’s the best of both worlds. Very buttery but tasty as a result. A great find from Whole Foods. 3.5/5.0
recommended organic wholefoods barnana gingersnap banana brittle 3.5