Hakkaisan Purple Amasake: This is a sweet drink made with fermented purple rice, giving it its distinctive color. I tried the regular version made from white rice rice previously in Brooklyn (by way of Japan), but without trying both side-by-side, it's hard for me to say if the flavors are different. I can say that this beverage has a nice acidity and natural sweetness that comes from the koji rice itself (no sugar is added), and it's a fresh refreshing drink. I don't know if most people would enjoy the acidity, b... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese drinks rice koji Daiei hakkaisan purple amasake 3.5
Meito Hokkaido Pumpkin Pudding: This is a pudding 3-pack from Japan, which is really more like flan or panna cotta compared to American pudding. It has a rich golden color from the pumpkin squash it's flavored from, which gives it a unique nutty flavor and takes away a bit of the guilt of eating dessert, though it's definitely sweet. It has a sweet syrupy caramel base, like traditional Japanese pudding you buy from the store. I liked it a lot, though, and would purchase it again! 3.5/5.0
recommended pudding japanese meito hokkaido pumpkin 3.5
Megmilk Snow Matcha Pudding: This is a delicious green tea pudding with a panna cotta-like texture (that is, much softer and looser than most store-bought pudding). It comes with a brown sugar packet so you can add as much sweetness as you'd like, but I preferred it without any additional flavoring. The matcha flavor is very distinctive, with its characteristic bitterness rounded out by the dessert's creaminess. Will definitely be purchasing again! 4.0/5.0
recommended japanese Daiei matcha megmilksnow pudding 4.0
Hokunyu Mandarin Orange Yogurt: This is one of my favorite yogurts that I've tried in Japan. Available in normal grocery stores, it is a tart and creamy yogurt containing whole mandarin orange slices. A very interesting combination of soft yogurt with juicy fruit that I hadn't had before. Highly recommend! 4.0/5.0
recommended japanese Daiei hokunyu mandarin orange yogurt 4.0
Pringles Consomme potato crisps: These are a Japanese exclusive flavor of Pringles, retaining much of the familiar taste and texture of the American classic but with an addictive onion soup-type taste. It's just as flavor-saturated as the American type and generally very tasty as far as junk food goes. Would recommend trying them if you come to Japan! 3.5/5.0
recommended chips japanese pringles consomme potato crisps 3.5
Snow Brand Black Sesame Pudding: This is the final unique flavor I've been able to find of this brand of Japanese pudding / custard. The black sesame has a sweet flavor, lacking some of the savoriness you would get in a true black sesame dessert, but satisfying as a sweet dessert. The texture is excellent and barely set, which I am especially impressed by for a packaged product. Worth trying! 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese custard lincos snowbrand black sesame pudding 3.5