Ritz Cheddar Cheese Crispers: Since returning to the states, I’ve gotten a chance to satisfy my cheese cracker craving, which typically involves consuming Cheddar Rockets from Trader Joe’s, but I sometimes try new offerings I spot in the cracker aisle. These cheddar crisps from Ritz are an example of an unfortunate purchase - the cheddar had a strange off flavor, and it was quite messy to eat because of the dusted cheese coating. The base of the cracker itself didn’t have the satisfying buttery richness of ritz crackers,... (read more) 2.0/5.0
crackers ritz cheddar cheese crispers 2.0
Shen Zen Tea Ginger Kombucha: There are a lot of local kombucha brewers in Seattle, so I’m getting to expand my drink reviews. This brand, Shen Zen Tea, sells product at Uwajimaya but also holds a stand at the Ballard farmers market on Sundays. The drink combines ginger and lemongrass and is lightly sweetened. It has a prominently fermented sour and tangy flavor. I liked it the more I drank it, and the bottle, while on the expensive side, at around $6, lasted for multiple servings. 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks uwajimaya shenzentea ginger kombucha 3.5
Iggy’s Ginger honeybrew kombucha: From Bainbridge Island, this ginger honey kombucha is pleasantly spiced with orange, lemon, star anise, and cinnamon and has a bright floral honey aftertaste. It’s much milder than other kombucha I’ve had, which brings out the honey flavor even more. The ginger is faint but still refreshing. A portion of sales gets donated to fund bee research. 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks honey iggys ginger honeybrew kombucha 3.5
Trader Joe’s Watermelon Jerky: These compressed and dehydrated watermelon jerky strips are disorienting - they have a chewy texture reminiscent of Fruit Roll Up, yet maintain the fibrous quality of fresh watermelon as it lingers on your tongue. It instantly gets stuck in your teeth. But it does have a remarkable watermelon flavor - sweet and a little bit tangy. I enjoyed it but am not sure I’d purchase it again. The bag is single serving, but it’s sweet enough to want to spread across a few. 3.0/5.0
organic traderjoes watermelon jerky 3.0 fruit
Matcha Man Ice Cream and Taiyaki Black sesame taiyaki ice cream: This taiyaki ice cream shop in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood is the first to serve taiyaki in Seattle and proved popular on a Saturday evening, taking about 25 min from line to ice-cream in hand. They feature classic flavors like matcha and black sesame as well as Thai iced tea and dole whip. Being a big black sesame fan, I had to go for the classic in a fish-shaped waffle cone. The waffle is more western than taiyaki you would get in Japan, which is very crispy. This one instead was mor... (read more) 3.0/5.0
icecream blacksesame seattle matchamanicecreamandtaiyaki black sesame taiyaki ice cream 3.0
Looking for Chai Milk tea with grass jelly: There’s a Taiwanese restaurant In Bellevue named Looking for Chai where everyone speaks Mandarin, photographs of Taipei 101 line the wall, and they have a handwritten menu of about 30 tea drinks written in traditional Chinese before their English translations. When I ordered a milk tea with grass jelly, I realized I had forgotten to specify the sweetness. But the tea was perfect, with an deep herbal flavor barely sweetened and slippery grass jelly that verges on medicinal but exactly as you ... (read more) 5.0/5.0
exceptional drinks Bellevue taiwanese milktea grassjelly lookingforchai milk tea grass jelly 5.0