Dydo Melon Shake: There were always tons of Dydo vending machines in Tokyo selling discounted drinks at most street corners or metro stops. Perhaps because drinking in public is considered a bit of a faux paus in Japan, lots of the vending machines sell very small bottles for quickly quenching your thirst. This small melon shake came in a stout aluminum can / bottle and is an uncarbonated combination of melon and sugary milk. It had an unmistakable cantaloupe flavor but tasted more like candy than a drink.... (read more) 2.0/5.0
drinks vendingmachines japanese dydo melon shake 2.0
McDonald's McShake x Doraemon Yogurt Shake: Doraemon is a much beloved Japanese cartoon character, a fixture of children's television and merchandising that is pretty impossible to escape in Japan. This year marks the cartoon's 50th anniversary, which has led to many partnerships and exclusive products. McDonald's in Japan currently has a line of celebratory Happy Meal Doraemon toys, but I opted for their special Doraemon yogurt milkshake; a small drink cost 120¥ or about $1 USD. I can't say I've actually had a shake from McDonald'... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks fastfood japanese mcdonalds mcshake x doraemon yogurt shake 3.5
Tea Hut Avocado Shake: Managed to stop by Tea Hut during my last trip to SF, a great little bubble tea shop in Cows Hollow. This drink epitomizes the ideal version of an avocado shake; super fresh and creamy, refreshing but doesn't leave you feeling overly full or heavy. Consistency was perfect. While it's easy to default to tea drinks at a boba shop, this was a good reminder that classics like fruit shakes can also be well worth a trip. 4.5/5.0
exceptional drinks sf sanfrancisco teahut avocado shake 4.5
Juice Bar Collective Peanut butter banana shake: Juice Bar Collective is probably my favorite food spot in The Gourmet Ghetto in Berkeley. It's a small worker-owned collective that offers a variety of veggie (and a few meat) entrees like polenta, lasagne, and bahn mi. This may be surprising given the name Juice Bar, but they also had some fantastic beverage options to accompany your meal. The peanut butter and banana shake I had with soy milk had just the right amount of peanut butter without affecting its smooth, creamy consistency. Much ... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks shakes berkeley juicebarcollective peanut butter banana shake 3.5
Sweetheart Cafe Avocado Slush with Boba: A creamy drink that tasted more like milk than avocado. The standout component was still the boba, which remains singular in its chewy consistency. Overall, though, I would recommend another beverage at this Berkeley favorite just a block away from Sather Gate. 2.5/5.0
drinks boba berkeley shake sweetheartcafe avocado slush 2.5
In-N-Out Neapolitan Shake: A not-so-secret item available at fast-food chain In-N-Out is the Neapolitan shake, combining their strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate shakes to create an insanely sweet and thick concoction. When I was a grad student at Stanford, I ordered this shake once in a while when I found myself eating a quick meal at In-N-Out, getting through about 1/4 before feeling stuffed. Having the drink again after 5 years away from the bay area, I had a similar reaction, yet it still manages to have the tas... (read more) 3.0/5.0
drinks shakes milkshakes innout neapolitan shake 3.0