Cheerio Melon Cream Soda: Got this bottle from a 100 ¥ vending machine in Tokyo. The flavor is sort of like a fruit-equivalent of Mountain Dew in that the sugar and flavor concentration is shocking, but I actually kind of like it. It strikes a really good balance of fruity and creamy and does taste like (an extremely sweet) version of a fruit soda float. In that way, it's exactly as advertised. But I can't drink much of it in a single sitting because it's so sweet. 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks japanese vendingmachine cheerio melon cream soda 3.5
Sweet Box Co. Singapore Chicken Rice Potato Chips: Ridged potato chips that are flavored like Singapore Chicken Rice, which I'm not sure I've actually had before but reminds me of a more peppery Hainanese Chicken, with a slightly boozy flavor (from rice wine). I don't believe it is actually meant to taste like rice - just the chicken that comes with the dish. The potato chips themselves are not so crispy and more thickly cut than normal ridged potato chips - they remind me more of Pringles in their potato flavor than Ruffles for example. ... (read more) 3.5/5.0
potatochips chips sweetboxco singapore chicken rice potato 3.5 japanese
Pocky Melon Pocky: I purchased this special packaged Pocky from Tsutaya Books in Meguro. The familiar biscuit sticks are coated in a waxy orange cantaloupe-flavored icing that tastes like melon candy. Very concentrated flavor and quite sweet, but I did enjoy it. One of the better melon-flavored snacks I've had. 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese pocky melon 3.5
Kellogg's New Ontani Cereal: There are a few familiar American brands of cereal in Japan, but their offerings are slightly different. This cereal was made in collaboration with the chef at a famous hotel in Tokyo called The New Otani. It consists of 1/2 flakes and 1/2 granola, almost like muesli without the oats, and contains ingredients like sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, and puffed amaranth. It has a honey flavor that's reminiscent of Honey Bunches of Oats. Definitely sweet, but as sweet as American breakfast cere... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended cereal japanese kelloggs new ontani 3.5
Mister Donut Glazed Donut: Mister Donut is a popular chain of donut shops in Japan, though it actually originates from the US. In 1990, after an acquisition in the state, most of the existing Mister Donuts in America turned into Dunkin Donuts, but the shops in Japan retain the original name in. The offerings and vibe of the stores are very similar to the to-go, casual feel of Dunkin Donuts, with lots of colorful flavored glazes. I decided to try to their regular glaze donut which comes in a unique floral shape rese... (read more) 3.5/5.0
Donuts japanese misterdonut glazed donut 3.5
Chokai Kogen Blueberry Yogurt: Given the quality of the pear yogurt I had from this Japanese brand, I bought the other flavor available at my local grocery store: the blueberry yogurt. According to the company's website, the blueberries are grown in Yamagata Prefecture on the Gassau Plateau. A layer of blueberry compote, with whole berries, sits on top of the yogurt base. The yogurt is very smooth and has a uniquely soft yet light texture. Personally, I found the blueberry compote to be more ordinary and close to othe... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese naniwaya chokaikogen blueberry yogurt 3.5