Keki Bakery Ube cheesecake : I purchased this "bouncy" ube Japanese cheesecake from Keki bakery in K-town after having tried their classic cheesecake at their Chinatown shop. Stated to serve 3-4, it easily could serve 5-6 if you're mainly in for a small taste. At $15, it's a great deal for the quality; combining the best of a rich cheesecake with a light and airy texture that I'd describe as more fluffy than bouncy (though we ate it the day after it was purchased, so the texture might have changed a bit). Its intense pu... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended cake dessert nyc japanese pastry kekibakery ube cheesecake 4.0
Choya Yowanai Yuzu Soda: Japanese soda flavored with yuzu and lime. Has a pleasantly tangy and sharp citrus flavor that is generally enjoyable, though it does verge on too-sweet if you drink the whole can. Still, it has a sourness that you don't typically find in American lemonade drinks. A great flavor for those who looking for a more punchy citrus drink. Purchased at Bang Bar in Manhattan. 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese drinks citrus choya yowanai yuzu soda 3.5
Tohato Matcha milk caramel corn: I've seen these caramel corn snacks at Asian grocery stores over the years but have never tried them until now. They come in a smaller bag containing about 3 or 4 serving sizes (there is no English on the bag for me to tell exactly). The puffed corn pieces are irregularly shaped, kind of like a miniature version of Jaxx cheese puffs, and have a glazed sugary coating that makes them crispy yet light and airy. The matcha flavor is pretty good; it's a little more bitter than most American ma... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese greentea matcha puffs hongkongsupermarket tohato milk caramel corn 3.5
Kado Tamanegi Santaro onion corn puffs: I purchased these Japanese onion-flavored corn puffs from the Japanese market Midoriya next to Union Square in Manhattan. I was attracted to its cute packaging, which seemingly depicts father-son bonding, but on closer inspection, it appears the father is digging the son up with a shovel. This possible potrayal of vegetarian cannibalism is somewhat disturbing, but I'm more confused by the literal translation of the English label of "tamanegi santoro," which translates to mushroom onions (acc... (read more) 3.5/5.0
Reocmmended japanese midoriya cornpuffs kado tamanegi santaro onion corn puffs 3.5
Choya Yowanai Ume Soda: This Japanese soda is made by drink-maker Choya, who seems to specialize in liquors. This non-alcoholic soda was purchased from Momofuku Bang Bar in NYC, and while it has what appears to be a peach or nectarine on the can, it's ume-flavored, which is a type of Japanese plum. The drink has a really distinct fruit flavor that is unlike any other fruit soda I've had before – slightly tangy, it reminds me of those asian pickled plum candies, but as if all the sourness typically associated with... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks japanese ume plum choya yowanai soda 3.5
Furano Melon caramel: These melon-flavored chewy candies are from Hokkaido, purchased by way of Jmart in Flushing. I love the packaging, which somehow managed to combine the rainbow lavender fields of Hokkaido with wine, a ball of yarn, and a stormcloud. Inside the box is individually wrapped Starburst-sized candies the pastel-orange color of cantaloupe. They have a concentrated melon flavor that I really enjoyed. I also like that the candy is not so sticky that it gets stuck in your teeth. Would purchase other f... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended melon fruit caramel candy sweets japanese hokkaido cantalouope furano 3.5