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
Fitz's Root Beer: I went to a conference in St. Louis earlier in the year, and since people are always talking about St. Louis barbecue, I checked out a recommended spot called Pappy's Smokehouse. Alongside my meal, I chose among around 8 different flavored sodas from a local brand called Fitz's, including an atomic purple Grape Soda and intriguing cream soda. I ended up going for root beer, a classic and usually my top choice if there isn't a ginger beer option. The soda is made with cane sugar rather tha... (read more) 2.5/5.0
soda drinks rootbeer stlouis fitzs root beer 2.5
Garden of Eatin Pumpkin tortilla chips: I'm not bothered by the flood of pumpkin-flavored snacks that characterize this season, so I was intrigued by these pumpkin tortilla chips from Garden of Eaten, a brand I generally enjoy. These chips felt more sweet than savory, with a pronounced pumpkin spiced flavor that reminded me of pumpkin flavored candies. I would have liked it more if the pumpkin flavor was more natural tasting and subtle, while being slightly more seasoned. They have a serving size of 8 chips, which I find laughably... (read more) 3.0/5.0
gardenofeatin pumpkin tortilla chips 3.0
Churro Cone Charcoal black sesame churro ice cream: Like a pop-up version of Chikalicious's Dessert Club (now closed), this standing-room-only shop has a variety of ice cream flavors served in churro cones. The charcoal black sesame (legally referring only to the color rather than the additive, as that is no longer legal in NYC) contains shards of savory black sesame which pairs nicely with the creamy and sweet black sesame soft serve. The churro cone, purchased at the end of the day, was a bit dry and verging on stale, but I appreciated that... (read more) 3.5/5.0
dessert nyc ice cream blacksesame churrocone charcoal black sesame churro ice cream 3.5