Riska Cheese Corn Snack: This flavor of umbaibo has a cheese flavor familiar to Asian snacks. It tastes a bit like the cheese powder from boxed mac and cheese but with a creamy, milky flavor that's mild rather than tangy. Very different than the bolder cheese taste of American cheese snacks like Cheetos. Like other Umaibo, the texture is crispy and light. In this particular package, they're cut into mid-sized rings. 3.0/5.0
umaibo japanese riska cheese corn snack 3.0 tokyofishmarket berkeley
Calbee Yuzu and black pepper shrimp chips: I grew up eating MSG-laden Calbee shrimp crackers, so it was neat to see they are celebrating 50 years. This is the first time I tried anything outside their original flavor. The crispy crackers had a tangy slightly sour seasoning that was more interesting than tasty. Still, adding a yuzu flavor to their line seems appropriate and on trend; maybe this will help them reach 50 more years. 3.0/5.0
japanese calbee yuzu black pepper shrimp chips 3.0
Minamoto Kitchoan Senbei: Crispy Japanese rice crackers from confectionary store Minamoto Kitchoan. First time I've ever had a snack that has a deep umami flavor but is not at all salty (some may even say underseasoned). An interesting one, but not a snack I would purchase. 3.0/5.0
ricecrackers japanese minamotokitchoan senbei 3.0
Yaokin Takoyaki Umaibo: Continuing my quest to try every flavor of Umaibo (a challenge I don’t think will ever end), I tried the takoyaki flavored corn snack. For those who haven’t had takoyaki before, takoyaki is a Japanese street snack consisting of battered octopus balls topped with shaved bonito flakes and a kewpie mayo drizzle. This snack version of a snack had a very smoky seafood flavor, savory and sweet like a deep brown gravy (Worcestershire-like). It isn’t one of my favorite Umaibo as I found the flavor b... (read more) 3.0/5.0
japanese yaokin takoyaki umaibo 3.0
Befco Kuriyama Bakauke Sesame rice crackers: Shaped vaguely like miniature banana or oblong boomerangs, these soy flavored rice crackers were purchased for under $3 from Sunrise Market in Manhattan. Each piece is individually wrapped and is just on the verge of being overseasoned, yet also has a sweet aftertaste. Pretty good overall, but probably not good enough to purchase again. 3.0/5.0
Sunrisemart japanese soy nyc befco kuriyama bakauke sesame rice crackers 3.0
Nishimura Pumpkin and spinach wheat biscuits: Only after I finished this snack and looked up information about it for this review did I discover that these vegetable-flavored biscuits are intended as baby food. Nonetheless, you can safely eat them as an adult. Individually-wrapped servings of pumpkin and spinach flavored biscuits, 3 of each, come in a single package. The biscuits have a crumbly, slightly dry texture and are just a tad sweet. Beyond the color (the spinach crackers are pistachio-green and the pumpkin a light orange), the ... (read more) 3.0/5.0
japanese nishimura pumpkin spinach wheat biscuits 3.0 Sunrisemart