Beijing Tastes Pistachio Flavored Candies: This bag of candies from China contained individually wrapped candies, each covered in a thin striped coating with a candy-cane-like sheen. Inside are crispy layers with a caramelized, nutty flavor. The texture is a bit like a mass-manufactured candy mille feuille. I grew up eating this type of peanut candy growing up and have a nostalgic fondness for it. 3.5/5.0
recommended chinese candy beijingtastes pistachio flavored candies 3.5
Our Little Rebellion Cha-Cha Chili Bean Crisps: I love potato chips, but I also enjoy finding healthier substitutes. This new bean crisp snack fills that void, with a satisfying crispy baked texture and distinct chili flavor that's just spicy enough for snacking by the handful. They are from the makers of Popcorners, and while I generally like the Popcorner product, I actually think these Bean Crisps are even better, since the bean flavor is more distinct, and the chips are crunchier and generally more satisfying texturally. I hope the... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended ourlittlerebellion cha-cha chili bean crisps 4.0
Mr Bartley's Black and White Malted Milkshake: For my last official snack in Cambridge, I had to get one of Bartley's famous malted "frappes" (milkshakes). Over the 9 years I've lived in Cambridge, I've had their milkshake a few times, spaced several years apart. One of my earliest memories is going on a trip with a few members of my undergraduate dorm, walking from MIT to Harvard Square just to get milkshakes to go. Their legendary shakes are thick (and stay that way, due to the incorporation of soft serve instead of ice cream), and ... (read more) 4.5/5.0
drinks cambridge harvardsquare exceptional mrbartleys black white malted milkshake 4.5
Bom pao de queijo: This Brazilian speciality is essentially a baked cheese ball, with a thin crispy coating and mochi-like chewy, cheesy filling. Sized slightly larger than a donut hole, they are snackable and addicting. It's the perfect cross between bread, mochi, and a cheese puff. Recommended! Purchased from Bom cafe in Inman Square, Cambridge, MA. 4.0/5.0
cheese cheeseballs brazilian recommended bom pao de queijo 4.0
Happy Lemon Light Oolong Tea with Salted Cheese: As a frequent patron of Happy Lemon, I've always been curious about their salted cheese drinks (who wouldn't be), but I've been too afraid to try them. On my last trip, though, I decided to give in and ordered the most neutral flavor, a light oolong tea. I expected the cheese to come in solid form as a topping for the drink, but it was actually more like a thick milk that could be stirred to flavor the entire drink. The salted cheese had a slightly savory aftertaste but wasn't highly seas... (read more) 2.5/5.0
drinks happylemon light oolong tea salted cheese 2.5
Meisum Bakery Asian Pastries: I previously reviewed this bakery's mochi peanut dessert, which remains my favorite product. During my last visit to this small Chinatown bakery, I tried the egg tart and pineapple bun, both of which were fairly standard as far as Asian bakeries go. The egg tart was firm and cold, a sign that it had been sitting out for some time. Still, the flavor was not bad but ordinary. The pineapple bun was a bit better, with a nice crispy crumble that was just the right level of sweetness. Overall... (read more) 3.0/5.0
chinatown boston eggtart custard pineapplebun bread meisumbakery asian pastries 3.0