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
Sakuraya red bean mochi: Good consistency for store-bought mochi. Satisfying and filling snack size. Red bean filling is pretty standard and on the sweet side. 3.0/5.0
mochi redbeam sakuraya japanese red bean 3.0
Beanitos White bean Mac n cheese crunch: These corn-alternative snacks have an irregular crunchy texture with a similar size to puffed Cheetos. The Mac n Cheese flavor is just a marketing spin on cheddar (more on an actual cheese puff whose flavor resembles boxed Mac and cheese in a forthcoming review). They have a slightly less neutral taste than regular corn puffs, with an aftertaste that resembles wheat snacks. Not bad, but not particularly memorable. 3.0/5.0
junkfood cheese cheddar cheesepuffs beanitos white bean mac n crunch 3.0
Golden Steamer Red Bean Bun: Here's a classic Chinese bao favorite from Golden Steamer in NYC, filled with sweet red bean paste that is surprisingly mild in sweetness, especially compared to the typical sugar bomb you get elsewhere. Surrounded by soft and plump steamed white bread. This one is not bad, but it isn't especially interesting. If you like red bean buns, you will enjoy it, but it will taste like you expect it will. Costs under $1. 3.0/5.0
nyc buns chinatown goldensteamer red bean bun 3.0
Kimuraya Red Bean Bun: This small but popular bakery is right near the Ginza metro station, offering a variety of Japanese / french breads and pastries. Their speciality appears to be inexpensive miniature buns that cost 150¥, under $1.50; sized like dinner rolls and coated in amaranth, its shell is slightly browned and overall tastes largely neutral in flavor with red bean filling (they also offer different types of fillings). Overall, it's more like sustenance than something to be enjoyed, given its inexpensiv... (read more) 3.0/5.0
japanese ginza bakery kimuraya red bean bun 3.0
Orion Injeolmi Sweet Bean Turtle Chips: A sweet chip flavored with soybean powder and sugar. Individual pieces are multi-layered and crispy, basically the same as Aerial chips if those are familiar to you. Ridged corn chips may also remind Americans of Bugles, but they are not nearly as seasoned. Injelolmi is a Korean dessert that appears to be the same as mochi, cut into squares and dusted with a beige soybean powder that gives it a nutty flavor that isn't overly sweet. I would say this snack was much more dessert-like than s... (read more) 3.0/5.0
korean orion injeolmi sweet bean turtle chips 3.0 hmart