Trader Joe's Jalapeño seasoned corn and rice puffs: My sister sent me an awesome birthday present from the US: a box of Trader Joe's snacks. I've been away from the US for 9 months now (!) and before that, was mostly shopping at the Park Slope Food Coop, so I haven't had a chance to try their seasonal snack offerings for a long while, which is one of the main reasons I enjoyed shopping there. Normally, puffed snacks made of alternative grains like rice and quinoa (as opposed to the more typical corn puffs) are too soft in texture or have a ... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended traderjoes jalapeño seasoned corn rice puffs 3.5
Lotte Cupcho Doraemon Chocolate Covered Corn Puffs: Cupcho are snacks you can find in konbini (convenient store) in Japan that are accurately named for their plastic cup packaging featuring a popular cartoon character - there seem to be Doraemon and Rilakkuma versions. I didn't know what it was but thought from the picture on the packaging that it was malted milk balls, a flavor I haven't had in a long time but was a favorite of mine during Halloween. Unfortunately, the actual snack was less satisfying – corn puffs similar in texture to che... (read more) 2.5/5.0
lawson kids japanese lotte cupcho doraemon chocolate covered corn puffs 2.5
Tohato Chestnut Mont Blanc Caramel Corn: I honestly had no idea what flavor this snack was – the leaves on the rim of the packaging seem to indicate a seasonal fall snack, but the illustration of a pie topped with what I thought were strips of bacon and a fried egg made me think I was in for something breakfast-like. It turns out it is supposed to be a chestnut mont blanc, a dessert I haven't had before but consists of chestnut puree piped into vermicelli shaped threads, topped with whipped cream. Tohato caramel corn comes in lot... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese tohato chesnut mont blanc caramel corn 3.5
Nissin シスコーン BIG strawberry shortcake corn flakes: Nissin BIG is a popular brand of frosted flake cereal, the equivalent of Tony the Tiger frosted flakes. In Japan, there are much fewer cereal options, always in bags rather than boxes, and less than a handful are aimed specifically towards kids -- in the grocery stores I've been to, the cereal takes up a small fraction of the aisle compared to an entire side that you'd normally find in the states. I've had the standard frosted flakes flavor before, which tastes exactly as you'd expect, but... (read more) 3.0/5.0
japanese nissin シスコーン big strawberry shortcake corn flakes 3.0 cereal nissinworld
Koikeya スコーン Quattro Cheese Corn Snacks: The powdered flavoring on these Cheeto-like Japanese corn snacks is a mix of four different cheese: gouda, camembert, mozzarella, and cheddar, and gives it a unique umami flavor that's particularly delicious. It's much more interesting than Cheetos, though just as strong, with a smoother and creamier cheese flavoring overall. Definitely worth trying! 4.0/5.0
recommended japanese junkfood koikeya スコーン quattro cheese corn snacks 4.0 inegeya
Koikeya スコーン Barbecue Corn Snacks: These snacks are available everywhere in Japan and are like the Japanese-equivalent of crunchy Cheetos, but with bolder flavors. The barbecue flavor has more of a charred than smoky flavor and tastes more strongly of beef specifically (whereas in the US, chips taste more like the glaze you apply to meat). A solid savory flavor that is quite addictive. 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese junkfood koikeya スコーン barbecue corn snacks 3.5 inegeya