Nong Shim Banana Kick Snack: Who would have thought that banana flavored puffs, airy and porous with a slight glaze and crispy texture, would be such a delicious snack? I'll admit that I purchased this bag from the narrow, never-ending aisles of Manhattan's HMart solely based on its cute packaging. Yet there was also a driving curiosity for what a sweet fruity version of a cheese puff might be. Texturally, they are far more interesting than Cheetos largely due to its crispy yet light consistency. Its flavor taste of ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended puffs hmart korean nongshim banana kick snack 4.0
Tao Kae Noi Spicy Hi tempura seaweed: This version of the TKN seaweed snack is backed with a layer of fried tempura, giving it more rigidity and bite. The flavor is a bit like ramen seasoning packets but with a more prominent nori flavor. While the bag is resealable, the entire package can easily be consumed in one serving – not because it's particularly tasty, but because there isn't much in it. 2.5/5.0
hmart japanese taokaenoi spicy hi tempura seaweed 2.5
Befco Nori-flavored Bakauke Rice Crackers: This is my first time eating Bakauke, a Japanese rice snack with a glazed exterior and oblong shape. The type I purchased from Hmart was flavored with soy sauce and nori. While the seaweed flavor was distinctive, the soy sauce was overpowering and made the crackers salty overall. 2.5/5.0
hmart japanese ricecrackers befco nori-flavored bakauke rice crackers 2.5
Nice Choice Egg Soft Flour Cake: With a quintessentially lost-in-translation Chinese name, this brand of sachima is a great deal. The cakes are very substantial (you could share one with a friend) and have a satisfying chewy consistency. For those who have not had sachima before, it's a rectangular Chiense treat with fried dough and melted rock sugar that lends a chewy and slightly crispy texture. As one of the less expensive snacks at HMart, Nice Choice is indeed a nice choice. 3.5/5.0
hmart asian sachima nicechoice egg soft flour cake 3.5 recommended
Tong Tong Bay Roasted dried squid: A delicious, chewy snack with a slightly smoky flavor. Good amount of seasoning, and high level of umami. 3.5/5.0
recommended hmart seafood tongtongbay roasted dried squid 3.5
Nissin sesame sable cookies: I grew up eating the very buttery coconut biscuits you get in a silver foil package from Asian grocery stores. These cookies have a slight resemblance, with a biscuit-like base and glazed, coconut flavored top, but it's not as sweet as the normal coconut cookies, and the black sesame balances out the sweetness. At five cookies to a serving, it's not the most filling snack, but the flavor is memorable, and it's reasonably priced. 3.5/5.0
nissin coconut sable sesame japanese asian hmart 3.5 cookies biscuit recommended