Oiwake Dango Strawberry mochi: Before I moved, I tried looking up in advance all the best specialty snack shops in Tokyo, but since arriving, I've found a better strategy is just wandering around and seeing where the lines are. This small confectionary shop in Shinjuku specializes in various types of dango, or mochi. I purchased a pale pink one that unexpectedly contained a whole strawberry as well as red bean. The mochi was very pillowy yet chewy, the strawberry a little tart and not particularly sweet. Overall, I enjoye... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese shinjuku oiwakedango strawberry mochi 3.5
Olipop Strawberry Vanilla Sparkling Tonic: This alternative beverage is not calorie (35) or sugar free (3g) but incorporates lots of unexpected alternative ingredients like kudzu root, elm bark, and Jerusalem artichoke, along with vanilla bean and strawberry essence. Their marketing describes this as beneficial "prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals" to support your digestive health. I didn't really care so much about the ingredients and was mostly drawn to the nicely designed packaging and flavor combinations I naturally gravita... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended pic drinks olipop strawberry vanila sparkling tonic 3.5
Olipop Ginger Lemon Sparkling Tonic: A sparkling tonic designed to support digestive health, this ginger lemon soda has a solid ginger flavor that's pleasantly spiced and acidic. There aren't many other drinks I've had that taste quite like it. I wish it were a little fizzier, and it does have a alternative-sweetner aftertaste because it uses Stevia. Otherwise, I think it's a unique offering for those that are open to low-calorie, low-sugar options with a new spin. 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks pic olipop ginger lemonade sparkling tonic 3.5
Omomo Tea Shop Matcha Cortado: Is bubble tea ever worth waiting an hour in line for? Maybe not, but when 90% of the line is made up of Asian customers in Irvine, it's probably a good sign. This popular bubble tea shop has two locations in Irvine, and this unassuming shop in the middle of a large strip mall, sandwiched between a Ralph's and CVS, unfortunately only takes in-person orders (the other location has an online ordering system). I went with my family and was able to sample four different drinks, but the one I o... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended irvine bubbletea greentea omomoteashop matcha cortado 4.0