Koikeya Strong Grilled Seafood Potato Chips: Koikeya has a line of STRONG potato chips, I guess indicating that they're bolder than regular potato chips. The ridged style is thinner than Ruffles, and more generally, I find that Japanese potato chips don't have the same substantial bite that American potato chips tends to have. This flavor reminded me a little bit of shrimp chips but it definitely had a slightly richer flavor, the type you get from imitation crab sticks. It was pretty decent but not one I find myself drawn to purchasi... (read more) 3.0/5.0
potatochips junkfood japanese lawson koikeya strong grilled seafood potato chips 3.0
Lay’s Cucumber Potato Chips: One thing I find overwhelming but also awe-inspiring is that no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to try every flavor of Lay’s potato chips. These cucumber-flavored chips were purchased at an Asian grocery store and originate from China. Perhaps this is unsurprising, as crushed cucumbers, flavored with salt and vinegar, are a perennial side dish in Chinese restaurants. These chips are both savory and sweet, with a remarkably true-to-name flavor. They taste more vegetal than sal... (read more) 4.0/5.0
Kamman chinese chips potatochips junkfood lays cucumber potato 4.0 recommended
Lotte Kokal Corn Soup Snack: I don't know what it is about corn soup that inspires corn-soup-flavored snacks in Asia, but I'm certainly not complaining. These Korean snacks are exactly the same size and shape and Bugles – conical corn snacks that are most definitely not healthy. The corn soup flavor leaned more salty than sweet, tasting of what I'd imagine concentrated corn-soup-flavored soup mix powder might taste like sprinkled over fried corn snacks. Not one of the better corn soup snacks I've been adding to my re... (read more) 3.0/5.0
korean hmart junkfood bugles cornsoup lotte kokal corn soup snack 3.0
Meller Caramel chocolate chews: Not-quite chewy caramel candies with a chocolate filling. Texturally comes closest to American Nips candies, but with a waxier texture and bite as if it had been sitting out a little too long. The sugary milk chocolate on the interior holds it shape when you bite into the caramel. Overall, passable as a mass manufactired candy - neither good nor bad, it meets expectations. Purchased from the Copenhagen airport with loose Danish kroner coins. 2.5/5.0
candy danish junkfood meller caramel chocolate chews 2.5
Pringles Takoyaki Flavor: These special edition Pringles were originally released in the Kansai region of Japan, but I was able to find them at an Odaiba vending machine in Tokyo. With the vending machine, you pay 200¥ (about $2 USD) and press a button to randomly get between 1 and 3 mini Pringles cans. I ended up with one but luckily still received the flavor I was looking for, which is meant to resemble the Japanese street snack takoyaki, battered octopus meatballs drizzled with mayonnaise and a sweet and tangy b... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended chips junkfood japanese pringles takoyaki flavor 3.5 octopus
Riska Mentai Corn Snack: I love that Japanese culture is seemingly contradictory. There is the upmost respect for serenity and simplicity, along with an obsession with quality and workmanship (e.g., tea gardens, sashimi and sushi rice, Yurbai melons) - yet, at the same time, it can be loud, brash, and colorful (e.g., manga, Pachinko). This purple bag of Mentai (cod roe) puffed corn snacks is sensory overload all on its own, with multiple exclamation points, bold lettering, and metallic silver foil highlighting. I... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional japanese mentai cod roe fish seafood junkfood riska corn snack 4.5 tokyofishmarket