Dominique Ansel Bakery Blooming Matcha Latte: To celebrate their 7th birthday, the Dominique Ansel Bakery in Soho recreated several desserts normally exclusively available at their other locations around the world, including Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo. This blooming matcha latte from Japan consists of a marshmallow whose petals unfurl when placed into the hot beverage. At the center of the sakura marshmallow is what seemed to be a sugar cube, acting as the pistil. The beverage itself has a rich but slightly bitter flavor distinct... (read more) 3.5/5.0
drinks nyc dab latte marshmallow dominiqueansel greentea tea dominiqueanselbakery blooming matcha 3.5 recommended
Choya Yowanai Ume Soda: This Japanese soda is made by drink-maker Choya, who seems to specialize in liquors. This non-alcoholic soda was purchased from Momofuku Bang Bar in NYC, and while it has what appears to be a peach or nectarine on the can, it's ume-flavored, which is a type of Japanese plum. The drink has a really distinct fruit flavor that is unlike any other fruit soda I've had before – slightly tangy, it reminds me of those asian pickled plum candies, but as if all the sourness typically associated with... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks japanese ume plum choya yowanai soda 3.5
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
Trader Joe's Roasted Coconut Chips: I wasn't expecting to write a review of this, in the same way I wouldn't really think to write a review for dried raisins I was going to put in my oatmeal or chocolate chips I planned to add to fresh-baked cookies (if I made cookies at home, which I don't). I purchased these toasted coconut chips from Trader Joe's so I could put them in chia seed pudding I usually make for breakfast. But these salted coconut chips are really delicious straight out of the bag. They have a tasty toasted fla... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended tjs traderjoes roasted coconut chips 4.0
Furano Melon caramel: These melon-flavored chewy candies are from Hokkaido, purchased by way of Jmart in Flushing. I love the packaging, which somehow managed to combine the rainbow lavender fields of Hokkaido with wine, a ball of yarn, and a stormcloud. Inside the box is individually wrapped Starburst-sized candies the pastel-orange color of cantaloupe. They have a concentrated melon flavor that I really enjoyed. I also like that the candy is not so sticky that it gets stuck in your teeth. Would purchase other f... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended melon fruit caramel candy sweets japanese hokkaido cantalouope furano 3.5
Way Better Snacks Sweet Chili Whole Grain Corn Tortilla Chips: I got these chips with my lunch and was pleasantly surprised by how good they were. They have a kind of sriracha flavor that is mildly sweet and whose heat builds up over time, and the chips have a satisfying crispy texture that feels healthy yet flavorful. The chips contain flax, quinoa, chia seeds, broccoli, and radish seeds. I don't really like plain tortilla chips because I never buy dips - these are multigrain chips that stand on their own! 4.0/5.0
recommended chips sriracha spicy multigrain waybettersnacks sweet chili whole grain corn tortilla 4.0