Calbee Grill-A-Corn Lobster in Supreme Soup Flavored Corn Chips: Purchased from Hong Kong Supermarket in Chinatown, these Cheetos-like corn snacks have a remarkably concentrated lobster flavor that I think most people could identify blind. The seafood flavor is immediately distinctive from other more popular seasonings you might stumble upon in Asian grocery stores, like squid or octopus. I'm not sure where the soup part comes in, and there isn't anything particularly Chinese about the overall taste; it has a creamy flavor, as if you're eating lobster... (read more) 3.0/5.0
hongkongsupermarket junkfood seafood chinese calbee grill-a-corn lobster in supreme soup flavored corn chips 3.0
Lotte Chocolate Caramel Choco Pie in Ginza : The iconic snack Choco Pie from Korean brand Lotte is available in most places shops in Japan. This particular Ginza chocolate caramel cake flavor is part of a special edition "around the world" series which takes iconic desserts from various cities around the world. For example, it previously featured the NYC cheesecake. I've never actually heard of a Tokyo-specific chocolate caramel cake (and a quick Google Search comes up empty). This is a very decadent Choco Pie, with chocolate cake i... (read more) 3.0/5.0
japanese desserts inegaya lotte chocolate caramel choco pie in ginza 3.0
Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss coconut almond in chocolate dessert: Haven't had a chocolate-covered ice cream bar in ages but my newly lactose-free dad was craving ice cream, and these coconut-based non-dairy bars were on sale at Whole Foods. Its dark chocolate coating is mixed with chopped almonds, and the whole product is organic. Overall, a really good quality product. Isn't overly rich (like a Haagen Dazs) but still decadent. Classic coconut + chocolate flavor combination. Would eat over most other ice cream bars, non dairy or otherwise. 4.0/5.0
recommended organic icecream lunalarrys coconut bliss almond in chocolate dessert 4.0 wholefoods
Nabisco Chicken in a Biskit: Taking advantage of a major sale on Nabisco's Flavor Originals, I purchased two snacks from my childhood: Chicken in a Biskit and Better Cheddars (review forthcoming). I always wondered why the American junk food industry has not seemed to embrace meat-flavored snacks, and Chicken in a Biskit is one of the few I can readily name. The buttery biscuits are coated with a salty, chicken-flavored powder that I always imagined to be ground up bouillon cubes. Always addicting, but needs to be ea... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended nabisco chicken in a biskit 3.5
Trader Joe's popcorn in a pickle: This is a prime example of purchasing a novelty snack that had a glimmer of promise. Luckily, this one turned out worthwhile. The flavor is very distinctive, with a briny and herby (dill) flavor. I imagine this would go perfectly with a sandwich, burger, or hotdog. As a seasonal item, it definitely begs for a summer picnic or barbecue. Nonetheless, I enjoy eating it on its own but recognize that people who aren't big fans of pickles should steer clear. Luckily, I'm not one of them. 3.5/5.0
traderjoes pickle popcorn dill briny picnic recommended snack 3.5 in a
Uji Lavender soft serve in Taiyaki cone: The best lavender ice cream I've ever had was in Hokkaido, Japan at Farm Tomita, where their lush, seemingly endless fields of lavender are the basis for wondrously floral and creamy soft serve. I have yet to find anything that comes close, but the seasonal lavender flavor at Uji, a Japanese ice cream shop in Berkeley, is a strong contender. The trick is their careful balance - the lavender does not overpower (which otherwise would lead to a mouthful of perfume-flavored cream), yet the flav... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional uji lavender soft serve in taiyaki cone 4.5 ujitime