Nezu No Pan Apple Ginger Bread: A warming mix of apple and ginger that reminds me of autumn back home. The ginger is pleasantly spicy and candied, and the bread is spongy and moist. Eating these mini loaves maes me feel like a giant, as they're about the size of bread you might see in a kitchen playset for kids. I liked this flavor but I would rate it as third behind the mugwort and lemon poppy bread I had tried previously, probably because the apple and ginger flavor combination is not quite as unique. 3.5/5.0
recommended tokyo bread nezu nezunopan apple ginger 3.5
Nichirei Cheese waffles: Probably meant for kids, I was nonetheless intrigued by the idea of cheese-filled waffle sticks and grabbed this bag from the frozen aisle as I was waiting in line at Aeon. They're a bit bigger than fish sticks but definitely portable and easy to heat up in the microwave. Surprisingly, the texture of the waffles is pretty decent, and it has a fluffier, softer consistency than the crispy waffles you might make in an iron, but the same familiar eggy flavor. The cheese is very minimal and mild,... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese frozen aeon nichirei cheese waffles 3.5
Calbee Jagariko Salad Potato Sticks: These cylindrical potato sticks are a staple in convenient stores in Japan, typically packaged in small bucket-shaped containers for single serving snacking, but they are also available in multiple-servings pouches from supermarkets. The salad flavor incorporates flecks of orange and green, potentially to signal that carrots, celery, and other seemingly heathier things have been added, but the main taste is of fried potato and oil. They have a satisfying, substantial crunch yet hold their s... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese coop calbee jagariko salad potato sticks 3.5
Hop Shu-Kuri-Mu Matcha and red bean bread: There is a small bakery in the heart of Azabu-Juban in Tokyo that has the most delicious cream puffs – they also sell a variety of other baked goods, including fresh loaves of bread with visually striking swirls of flavor baked in, similar to what you might see for flavored milk bread loaves at Asian bakeries more generally. Their loaves tend to be about half the size of what you might see in the US. I really enjoyed the spongy, stretchy texture and faint sweetness of this loaf. If you ev... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended azabujuban japanese tokyo hopshukurimu matcha red bean bread 3.5
Koikeya Roasted Shrimp and Garlic Corn Snacks: Shaped like crunchy Cheetos, these corn sticks are heavily seasoned with a roasted seafood flavor that's both salty and sweet. Like an amped up version of Shrimp Chips, with the same level of saturated flavor as a Frito Lay's snack but distinctively Asian with its use of shellfish in junk food. Purchased at Inegaya. 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese koikeya roasted shrimp garlic corn snacks 3.5
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie Spiced Ginger Brew: While a seasonal pumpkin pie TJ's item is understandably out of place in the middle of Spring, I was lucky to get to try this item many months after it was on the shelves because a friend saved it for when I returned to the states. Being outside of the US last fall meant I missed the hit-or-miss frenzy of pumpkin flavored things at Trader Joe's. This bottle of pumpkin-pie spiced ginger brew looks substantial but actually only contains two servings and contains no actual pumpkin; instead, i... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks traderjoes pumpkin pie spiced ginger brew 3.5