Ginza Akebono Strawberry Daifuku: For the most part, I've been able to try all the major traditional Japanese confectionary treats in my time in Japan, so I generally haven't been going out of my way to visit particular shops. However, if I see that a shop has a line, I'll take a look, especially as there are essentially no tourists in Tokyo now and so any place with a line is a local favorite. I hadn't known about this small shop in Ginza that opened right after WWII (about 60 years old), but their ichigo (strawberry) dai... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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Golden Gate Bakery egg tart: Back in 2010, I came across this legendary Chinatown institution notable for its long lines of Chinese patrons. I ordered a single egg tart and sat on the curb on Grant street savoring the best egg tart I'd ever had. Unlike most I had previously tasted, which tend to sit out in display cabinets, this tart came out hot, giving the custard a glistening glow and a silky texture that was almost pudding-like. Ever since that day, I've gone out of my way to buy another on almost every trip back to... (read more) 4.5/5.0
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Golden Steamer Big Bun with chicken, vegetables, and egg: Served in a scaldingly hot waxed bakery takeaway bag, the big bun from NYC Chinatown’s Golden Steamer takes several minutes to cool down before before consumption. Inside a fluffy and supple steamed white bun is a mixture of savory chicken, pickled mustard greens, and sliced hard-boiled egg. The lightly sweetened bun mixed with the meaty hearty filling, which steam has congealed into an almost meatball-like texture, is hard to beat at $1.25. 4.5/5.0
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Good Health rosemary and olive oil kettle chips: With just four ingredients (potatoes, olive oil, Rosemary, and sea salt), these crunchy potato chips are perfectly executed. They have all the flavor of delicious roasted potatoes in a snackable form factor. As far as potato chips go, these are certainly one of he best I've had and are very accessible (I purchased them at Harvest in Central Square). 4.5/5.0
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Grocers Bottling Co Original Soda: I've reviewed over 100 types of sodas on Tasty Snacking, so it's very rare for me to come across a beverage that has a completely unique flavor. This original soda from Grocer's is one of them. It combines fruit and vegetable juice like apple, carrot, and hibiscus, with spices and herbs like juniper, coriander, bay leaf, and sage, all with a slightly spicy aftertaste from the addition of chili pepper extract. It has a slightly aniseedy flavor that's expertly balanced and surprisingly delic... (read more) 4.5/5.0
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Grocers Bottling Co Celery Soda: I've been finding it hard to write snack reviews recently, mostly because I haven't had the time to seek out specialty items that excite me and motivate me to keep writing. But I finally made it out to Court St Grocers in Carroll Gardens this weekend. I've been meaning to check out Court St Grocers ever since I tried their excellent soda offerings at BYGGYZ (RIP), my formerly favorite sandwich shop in NYC. Unfortunately, BYGGYZ didn't have all Grocers Bottling Co (a spin-out from Court St... (read more) 4.5/5.0
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