Yoku Moku Rolled Cigares: In Japan, there is a very strong culture of giving gifts to people you work with. There were several times when I found myself purchasing gift boxes from depachika, the underground food courts in Japanese malls, where you can find everything from boxed chocolates, rice crackers, cookies, and candies in beautifully ornate boxes. I would usually browse all the stalls before picking a few I thought looked the most delicious (which was both very hard, because there were so many options, and qu... (read more) 4.0/5.0
exception cookies japanese uwajimaya yokumoku rolled cigares 4.0
Timeless Tea Beet Lemon Tea: I was hopeful to find a good bubble tea shop but ultimately found Timeless Tea, a shop close to University District, to be disappointing. The teas are on the expensive side (many over $6), though the menu is expansive. My beet lemon tea had a ton of sliced lemons in it, which filled up much of the volume of the cup, and there were so many lemon seeds that it made it difficult to drink. Flavor-wise, it wasn't any better than you would expect the combination of beet juice and lemon water to... (read more) 2.0/5.0
drinks seattle timelesstea beet lemon tea 2.0
Live Kombucha Ginger Kombucha: I hadn't read the label carefully on this package and only realized after I had opened the bottle that it's sweetened with Stevia. The artificial sweetener gives it a characteristic aftertaste that I personally do not find pleasant. The kombucha itself is pretty generic, with a mild ginger flavor. Purchased at Ballard Market. 2.5/5.0
drinks ballardmarket livekombucha ginger kombucha 2.5
Gelatiamo Pumpkin Gelato: This pint of pumpkin gelato was purchased from Pagliacci Pizza, a Seattle-based chain. It is definitely the best pumpkin ice cream I've had – super smooth and creamy, with a seasonal spiced pumpkin flavor that does not disappoint. Very classic but excellently executed. 4.0/5.0
recommended gelatiamo pumpkin gelato 4.0
Trader Joe's Sparkling Cranberry Ginger Beverage: This holiday drink is definitely better suited for being a mixer than for consuming on its own because It's both quite sweet and has a sharp acidic cranberry flavor. I think if it were mixed with a little bit of ginger ale, or even diluted with some tonic water, the overall balance would improve. 3.0/5.0
drinks traderjoes sparkling cranberry ginger beverage 3.0
Koikeya Polinky Corn Soup Flavored Corn Chips: These (crunchy) triangle (!!) snacks have a corn-based flavor similar to Bugles but are covered in a powdered corn potage-like seasoning blend. They mostly taste like MSG. Texturally a cross between Chex Mix and Bugles. Not my favorite corn soup flavored snack but decent. 3.0/5.0
hmart japanese koikeya polinky corn soup flavored chips 3.0