中央製乳 愛知の梨アイス Pear Milk Ice Cream: Fruit is generally quite expensive in Japan, and it feels even more so because of the very small portion sizes – there's no so much thing as buying a large 1lb bag of grapes here. Fruits are also very seasonal, so for the most part, I've been eating only bananas and oranges and I seem to have missed pear season. That's why when I saw this pear dessert in the ice cream aisle, I was excited to try it. I had expected it to be a sherbet or even a type of Italian ice from its packaging, but it... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional icecream queensisetan japanese 愛知の梨アイス pear milk ice cream 4.5
今川焼千駄木 Imagawayaki red been wheel cake : I took a detour on my daily walk and came across this small shop with a decently sized line. Since there are no tourists in Japan right now, lines are for sure signs of a local favorite. The little stand only sells imagawayaki, which are enclosed wheel-shaped pancakes filled with red bean. They have three flavors on the menu: red bean, custard, and one other that I couldn't figure out through direct translation (しるあん), and all of them are made to order using a traditional Japanese mold. They... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional sendagi japanese dessert tokyo imagawayaki red been wheel cake 4.5
合食 Fried Squid Snack: These squid-flavored snacks are shaped like the body of a squid sans tentacles and have a bubbled, irregular texture reminiscent of fried multigrain chips. Each pack comes with four sizable pieces that are both remarkably savory yet also have a sweet aftertaste. For fans of chewy dried squid that prefer the crispy texture of chips. Definitely a unique one, which is a rarity for me. I'd get it again, but it's definitely not particularly healthy. 3.5/5.0
recommended seafood japanese fried squid snack 3.5
味自慢 木于卜饅頭: I treated myself to this unusual snack from the Japanese supermarket Tokyo Fish Market without knowing anything about what it was. Guided by just a few words of English, I understand that it's a wheat cake filled with a red bean paste dyed white and yellow and topped with black sesame seeds. Each cookie is generously sized, but at 235 calories each, you would hope so. The snack overall eats a tad dry and is best accompanied by milk (I imagine it would pair well with tea too). It's intere... (read more) 3.0/5.0
tokyofishmarket japanese redbean cake 木于卜饅頭 3.0
宮木製菓 Assorted rice crackers: Purchased from Tokyo Fish Market, this mix of glazed rice crackers and peanuts is very yummy, with a balanced savory sweet combination (but mostly sweet). My favorite is topped with a nori coating. It's like an Asian version of popcorn mix, but significantly better. 4.0/5.0
recommended japanese asian peanuts tokyofishmarket assorted rice crackers 4.0
牧場の瓶ヨーグルト 宮崎 ひゅうが夏 : This is the second time I had a hyuganatsu snack, a seasonal Japanese citrus fruit available in the summers. Though I haven't had the actual fruit, the flavor was quite consistent across the two flavored yogurts I've tried. This brand of yogurt came in a very cute glass jar, the type whose rim is small enough that it requires the use of dainty miniature spoon. It was very creamy and quite rich, probably made using full-fat milk, and had a slightly floral, lemon-like flavor. The texture o... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended yogurt japanese citrus 宮崎 ひゅうが夏 3.5