Calbee Yuzu and black pepper shrimp chips: I grew up eating MSG-laden Calbee shrimp crackers, so it was neat to see they are celebrating 50 years. This is the first time I tried anything outside their original flavor. The crispy crackers had a tangy slightly sour seasoning that was more interesting than tasty. Still, adding a yuzu flavor to their line seems appropriate and on trend; maybe this will help them reach 50 more years. 3.0/5.0
japanese calbee yuzu black pepper shrimp chips 3.0
Out the Door Bubble tea: I rarely eat in the Ferry Building in SF, but on this rare occasion, I decided to try a bahn mi at Out The Door. I got a bubble tea to accompany my sandwich and am sad to report that it was terrible. The tea was super sweet, and the boba somehow managed to be both hard on the inside and mushy outside, a combination I didn’t know was possible. Worst of all, it was expensive because it’s the Ferry Building. The sandwich wasn’t too much better, by the way-they use normal French baguette instead... (read more) 1.5/5.0
avoid drinks boba bubbletea milktea outthedoor bubble tea 1.5
Furuta Green Tea Cookies: I was lucky to find these crumbly green tea sandwich cookies at Niniya Market for a very reasonable price just over $3. The biscuits are lightly sweetened and more substantial than normal Oreo-like sandwich cookies, and the cream filling has a much more natural matcha flavor than most packaged snacks I’ve had. Great value and taste! 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese matcha nijiya furuta green tea cookies 3.5
Ring Tofu Donuts Yuzu Lemonade: I was surprised at how overly sweet this housemade yuzu lemonade was given the light, barely sweetened flavor of Ring Tofu’s donuts. It reminded me of a slightly more tart version of korean citron tea. Definitely stick to the Donuts. 2.5/5.0
drinks losangeles ringtofudonuts yuzu lemonade 2.5
Riska Cheese Corn Snack: This flavor of umbaibo has a cheese flavor familiar to Asian snacks. It tastes a bit like the cheese powder from boxed mac and cheese but with a creamy, milky flavor that's mild rather than tangy. Very different than the bolder cheese taste of American cheese snacks like Cheetos. Like other Umaibo, the texture is crispy and light. In this particular package, they're cut into mid-sized rings. 3.0/5.0
umaibo japanese riska cheese corn snack 3.0 tokyofishmarket berkeley
OO Tea Jasmine milk tea with boba: OO Tea is a Taiwanese import of the brand “Wushiland.” As far as I know, there are only two locations in the US: one in a San Gabriel strip mall in LA and another in a Ranch 99 in San Diego. I went to the latter, which was an unassuming bubble tea stand without any seating; my order was taken in Mandarin, not English. Wushiland uses organic milk for their milk teas and it shows. I ordered their jasmine milk tea and found it to be the single best version of milk tea that I’ve ever had in the ... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional sandiego bubbletea milktea ootea jasmine milk tea boba 4.5 drinks