Nongshim Onion Flavored Rings: I mostly know Nongshim for their portfolio of ramen noodles, but I heard good things about their snacks, and these onion rings did not disappoint. The snack has a savory yet sweet onion flavor that tastes much more true to a vidalia onion than Funyuns. Texturally, they’re crunchy yet light and yielding. It’s definitely not healthy, but it’s a junk food that’s worth the calories. I purchased them at Berkeley Bowl, which doesn’t stock unhealthy snack brands, so I didn’t feel too bad about eati... (read more) 3.5/5.0
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Smash Crispy cinnamon churro Rice Krispie treat: I do love marshmallows and Rice Krispie treats, but I find the Kellogg’s blue square to be overly sweet. This square-shaped Bar from Smash is not as chewy in texture but has a pleasantly spiced cinnamon churro flavor and only 6g of sugar per bar. I would definitely purchase other flavors to try! Purchased from Berkeley Bowl. 3.5/5.0
recommended berkeleybowl marshmallow smash crispy cinnamon churro rice krispie treat 3.5
Pepperidge Farm Apricot Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies: I haven't had Pepperidge Farm cookies in years but had a sudden carving for fruit-jam cookies and purchased these Apricot Raspberry thumbprint cookies from Safeway. They were surprisingly good, with a buttery and slightly crumbly cookie base and just enough fruity sweetness. The interior had a slightly chewy consistency, which worked well texturally with the biscuit. At about 1.5" in diameter, and with 3 cookies per serving, they were satiating too. A good, affordable snack! 3.5/5.0
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Food Should Taste Good Jalapeño tortilla chips: I’m generally a fan of the Food Should Taste Good brand, which in my eyes is Frito Lay for adults. Their range of chips are healthier yet still tasty and familiar, like these jalapeño tortilla chips. The chips are definitely spicy, with a heat that cumulates and overall flavor reminiscent of a good salsa minus the tomato. Well balanced, with the sweet flavor of bell pepper combined with a tasty spice blend. A very likable snack. 4.0/5.0
recommended spicy berkeleybowl foodshouldtastegood jalapeño tortilla chips 4.0
MItchell's Avocado and Lucuma Ice Cream: My quest to try every major ice cream shop in San Francisco has perhaps come to completion now that I've finally stopped by Mitchell's. Located about a 10 minute walk from the 24th Street BART station, Mitchell's has been serving San Franciscans for over 50 years, with a menu of classic flavors as well as exotic tropical fruits. Asian flavors skew Filipino, with ube, halo-halo, macapuno (young coconut), and lacuma, the last of which I was excited to try for the first time. I purchased a s... (read more) 3.5/5.0
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Wild California Mango Jalapeño Crisps: Purchased from Monterey Market in Berkeley, these fruit crisps are a great snack in many ways. They’re sliced just right so that they’re crunchy but not hard to bite into, and the amount of spicy heat is surprisingly potent but well balanced with the sweetness of dried mango. While crisps like these tend to be paired with cheese or dip, I found them to be satisfying all on their own. 4.0/5.0
recommended montereymarket fruit spicy wildcalifornia mango jalapeño crisps 4.0