Korean wheat flour crackers: When I saw this bag on the shelf, it reminded me sachima, a Chinese pastry composed of soft fried flour, butter, and sugar (and often raisins). I purchased this bag to see what the Korean version would taste like. Despite the nutrition facts, which state that this contains 0g of sugar, the snack is very sweet. (Also, sugar is one of only four listed ingredients). The crackers are dense and quite hard to bite into, a factor that could be an issue for anyone with dental problems. Some pieces a... (read more) 3.0/5.0
korean ricecracker sachima hmart 3.0 wheat flour crackers
Bang Bar Kkwabaegi: This Korean dessert doughnut is available at the new Bang Bar from @momolongplay at Columbus Circle in NYC. Costing under $4, the doughnut is quite sizable for the price and has a really delicious sweet flavor, even from the half without the cream cheese glaze and butterscotch drizzle. The doughnut has a satisfying texture that's less rich than a brioche but still moist and soft, which I actually prefer because you can eat the whole dessert without feeling heavy. The glaze, while sweet, has ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended donut korean dessert cinnamon nyc momofuku bangbar kkwabaegi 4.0
Bibgo Seaweed Crisps: I broke the first rule of purchasing snacks at an ethnic grocery store (buy products with the least amount of English). Still, Bibgo is a Seoul-based company, lending it some credibility. This snack is unique with its combination of normally soft seaweed with a crisp rice cracker backing. The chips are surprisingly sweet, and initially, I liked the snack a lot. The more I ate, though, the more the rice flavor dominated. I would have preferred better balance with more seaweed flavor. A bag ha... (read more) 3.0/5.0
bibgo seaweed korean hmart 3.0 crisps instafood
Calbee Honey Butter Potato Chips: Back when I lived in Cambridge, I frequently saw honey butter flavored potato chips on the shelves at HMart, and despite my proclivity for odd snacks, this is one I left untouched. Little did I know that in late 2014, honey butter chips set off a frenzy in South Korea, with convenient stores frequently sold out and single bags going for as much as $50 (a 2500% markup) on eBay (google the Munchies article to learn more). After hearing about this craze, my sister and I bought a bag from 99 R... (read more) 1.5/5.0
korean honeybutter chips avoid calbee honey butter potato 1.5
Calbee Takoyaki Corn Puffs: Similar in size and texture to Utz cheese balls but tasting nothing like them, these octopus-flavored puffed corn snacks from Japanese snack brand Calbee actually hail from South Korea. They’re coated in a light brown powder tasting strongly of Worcestershire sauce, giving each bite an initial vinegary and savory hit but ending on an unexpectedly (and slightly overpowering) sweet note. They don’t have as strong of a seafood flavor as I would like, probably because the Worcestershire seasoni... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended octopus korean calbee takoyaki corn puffs 3.5 nijiya