Calbee Jagarico Double Cheese: I've favorably reviewed Jagarico potato sticks before on this blog but a quick recap – they are tubular, crunchy potato sticks that have a concentrated potato flavor I've found to be the closest to french fries of any off-the-shelf snack. I really liked how this Double Cheese flavor had a creamy mild cheese flavor that's quite different than the more assertive cheddar flavor you find on American cheese-flavored snacks. The packaging says it's a combination of cheddar and cream cheese, whic... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended hmart japanese calbee jagarico double cheese 3.5
Bibble and Sip BBB Black Sesame Bun: I love pineapple buns, and this was an inventive reimagining of the classic pastry flavored with black sesame. The "pineapple" crust was less thick and crispy than traditional buns, giving it a more consistent but pleasant texture. Inside, the bread was black and contained a mixture of egg custard and black sesame filling. The bread itself was lightly sweetened, with most of the sweetness coming through in the egg custard filling which reminded me of salted egg yolk. It's all topped with a ... (read more) 3.5/5.0
pastries recommended blacksesame pineapplebun bibbleandsip bbb black sesame bun 3.5 nyc
Chi Forest Grape Delight Sparkling Water: Grape soda was one of my favorite flavors growing up, and I found this fizzy grape drink to be a less guilt-inducing alternative. It's refreshing and lightly carbonated, without any calories or sugar. Like other Chi Forest drinks, it's completely clear and looks like sparkling water, but has a concentrated fruit flavor. 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks chiforest grape delight sparkling water 3.5
Chi Forest Lychee Fizzy Sparkling Water: This zero sugar, zero calorie drink is sweetened with sucralose, so it still tastes sweet despite not having sugar. The lychee fizzy was my favorite as it's a less common flavor typically found in grocery stores but still captures the spirit of the asian fruit. It reminds me of a less intense version of lychee jelly cups I had as a kid. A good option for people looking for fizzy, fruity 0 calorie drink. 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks chiforest lychee fizzy sparkling water 3.5
Calbee Sukiyaki JagaRico: I love the crunchy Japanese potato snack JagaRico, which is a staple in any convenience store and comes in many different flavors. I hadn't seen the Sukiyaki one before, though, and found it especially addictive. It has a meaty, roasted flavor reminiscent of soy and shiitake, inspired by the hot pot dish typically consisting of sliced beef, mushrooms, onions, and other vegetables. JagaRico more generally is a nice option when you're looking for a potato snack with more bite than a crispy po... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended japanese potato calbee sukiyaki jagarico 3.5
Tia Lupita Foods Cactus Salsa Verde Tortilla Chips: Made with cactus, these tortilla chips have an extra crispy and light texture that's quite addictive. The salsa verde flavor is punchy on its own, with acidic tomatillo and a bit of heat (no need for an extra jar of salsa). Excited to try some other flavors from this brand! 3.5/5.0
recommended chips PCC tialupitafoods cactus salsa verde tortilla 3.5