Yakult Probiotic Beverage Review

Not really an Asian snack so much as an everywhere in the world BUT the United States snack, Yakult is a probiotic drink that's especially popular throughout Asia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

• Texture: A very nice palate cleansing tartness, not creamy or filmy like other milk products. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Flavor: Nice and tart with a fragrant flavor that tastes like a tart creamsicle. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Packaging: These come in little plastic 'milk bottles' that are about 3 inches tall. The peach colored body and red foil lid of the jar is a classic design that's common to all forms of Yakult, no matter what region they happen to come from. However, similar drinks made in China, Taiwan, and Korea mimic the Yakult packaging to trick unsuspecting buyers. Don't be duped! Rating: 8 out of 10.
  
  
• Availability: I rarely find Yakult in the U.S., even at grocery stores. Most of the time I find Chinese/Korean/Taiwan knockoffs at Asian grocery stores. I have found Yakult (manufactured in Mexico) in some Japanese markets. Rating: 3 out of 10.
  
  
• Origins: Depends on where you're located. If you're in the U.S., chances are that your Yakult will be from Mexico. If you're in Europe, it'll probably be from the U.K. If you're in Japan, it'll be made in Japan and if you're in China, it'll probably be made in China. Check your packaging! Rating: 0 out of 10.

Technorati Tags: yakult, probiotic, asian, junk food, snacks, beverage

Chocolate Fingers by Garden Co. Review

Yet another snack from the good people of Garden Co., these finger cookies are chocolate covered cookies that can be described as less sweet versions of 'Finger' by Cadbury

• Texture: Very crispy and light cookie center which snaps and breaks cleanly. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Flavor: A slightly sweet vanilla shortbread cookies covered in chocolate.  Not too creamy, nor is it sweet enough to make your mouth ache. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Packaging: These come in little plastic gift bags and each cookie is wrapped up like old fashioned candies. Rating: 10 out of 10.
  
  
• Availability: I rarely see Cadbury Fingers in the US much less Garden Fingers.  Good luck on finding these (tell me if you do!). Rating: 0 out of 10.
  
  
• Origins: Garden is a very famous and well established baked goods company (like Hostess or Wonderbread) in Hong Kong.  They are best known for their white bread, cookies, and crackers.  Anybody who's been in the general vacinity of the bakery has smelled the welcoming aroma of fresh baked bread.  Their manufacturing practices are pretty open and public tours through their bakery are often given. Rating: 10 out of 10.

Technorati Tags: garden, cookies, chocolate, asian, snacks, junk food, hong kong, chinese

Malkist Crackers (麥芽酥) by Garden Co.

Malkist crackers are basically soda crackers with a coating of caramelized sugar on one side.  Malt extract is also used to flavor the crackers, giving them a slight beer flavor.

• Texture: This snack is crispy as long as the crackers are kept in an air dry container. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Flavor: Like a saltless beer flavored saltine covered in brown sugar. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Packaging: Rather plain looking clear plastic wrap packages of two rows of crackers. These are packaged like all the other soda crackers made by Garden, so it's easy to confuse them. Rating: 5 out of 10.
  
  
• Availability: Available in most Chinese grocery stores. Rating: 8 out of 10.
  
  
• Origins: Garden is a very famous and well established baked goods company (like Hostess or Wonderbread) in Hong Kong.  They are best known for their white bread, cookies, and crackers.  Anybody who's been in the general vacinity of the bakery has smelled the welcoming aroma of fresh baked bread.  Their manufacturing practices are pretty open and public tours through their bakery are often given. Rating: 10 out of 10.

Technorati Tags: garden, crackers, cookies, malt, asian, snacks, junk food, hong kong, chinese

Azuki (Red) Bean Ice Cream

A popular treat in Asian countries and the Pacific Islands, red bean
ice cream is always a wonderful treat. The only way I can describe the
flavor of red bean ice cream to those who have never tasted it is
something between vanilla, cream, strawberries, and cotton candy. There is nothing
'beany' or gritty about azuki bean ice cream

• Texture: A good azuki bean ice cream like that made by maeda-en of California will be creamy smooth like a good Haagen Dazs with bits of soft red beans dispersed throughout. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Flavor: A blend of vanilla, cream, strawberries, and cotton candy that can only be described as comforting and homey. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Packaging: Most commercially available azuki bean ice cream in the US come in rather plain looking ice cream cartons. There may be pictures of red beans and the package will most likely be maroon colored. Just look for the phrases 'azuki', 'adzuki', or more commonly 'red bean'. Rating: 5 out of 10.
  
• Availability: I've seen red bean deserts in practically all the Asian grocery stores I've been to. Chinese stores will tend to have Chinese brand red bean popsicles rather than ice cream. Japanese stores will generally have azuki bean ice cream or even mochi ice cream if you're lucky. Rating: 7 out of 10.
  
• Origins: Maeda-en ice cream is made in Irvine, California so it's safe to eat. Rating: 10 out of 10.

Technorati Tags: japanese, chinese, asian, ice cream, red bean, azuki, dessert

Beer Pretz by Glico

Most people who have had some kind of exposure to Asian snacks know what Pretz are.  Here's an extremely hard to find (in the US) flavor that just unluckly happens to be my favorite flavor.

• Texture: Crunchy without being too dry, tough, or brittle.  Not at all floury or gritty, a very nice cross between a butter cracker and pretzel. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Flavor: There's honestly nothing unique about Beer Pretz.  No they do not taste like beer, rather they go well with a nice cold glass of the frothy stuff. The only way that I can describe the flavor is that they're kind of like heavily salted and peppered crispy french fries. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Packaging: There's two Japanese versions of Beer Pretz, the red box and the black box.  I personally like the black box version because it's spicy spicy spicy! Be aware that there's also a Thai version of Roasted Pretz that looks like black box Beer Pretz, there's even a glass of beer on the box.  You'll want to avoid these at all costs!  It might help if you can differentiate Thai script from Japanese writing. There's no flavor at all to these, not even a sprinkling of salt and msg. Rating: 8 out of 10 for indistinguishable box designs.
  
• Availability: I haven't seen Beer Pretz in the US in the last 4 years.  It's even been impossible to find in Hong Kong in the last 2 years.  Good luck finding this if you don't have any Japanese connections. Rating: 0 out of 10.
  
• Origins: 100% made in Japan (unless you pick up the Thai version) so these snacks are safe to eat. Rating: 10 out of 10.

Technorati Tags: japanese, snacks, junk food, beer, glico, pretz

Tohato Caramel Corn

Tohato Caramel Corn Snacks are basically cheese puffs that aren't cheese flavored.  These corn snacks come in a variety of flavors with the original being Caramel Corn.  Just imagine corn puff shaped caramel covered popcorn...mmm...

• Texture: If you get your hands on a fresh bag, then the corn puffs are always light, airy, and crispy.  The outside is coated with a crunchy caramelized coating of sugar which provides a nice contrasting crunch to the softer corn grit insides. Afterwards, the snack quickly disintegrates and melts in your mouth.  A perfect light afternoon snack. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Flavor: Very yummy flavors including Caramel Corn, Chocolate, Matcha (green tea), Mango Pudding, Strawberry, Vanilla Ice, Chestnut, Honey Roasted Nuts, Almond, and other flavors. Surprisingly, all of the flavors are quite pleasing and none of them taste like disgusting artificial flavors.  Also there's no funky corn grits aftertaste. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Packaging: Tohato Caramel Corn come in short brightly colored bags with a cute face in the middle.  There are also special  bags designed for holidays like boy's festival and christmas. For some reason I can't explain, the packages remind me of an owl... Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Availability: This is a very common snack and can be found at almost all Asian grocery stores. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Origins: 100% made in Japan! Rating: 10 out of 10.

Technorati Tags: snacks, tohato, japanese, caramel corn, junk food, asian

Vitasoy Soya Bean Milk

What kid from Hong Kong doesn't like Vitasoy Soy Milk? This stuff is like the asian version of nesquik. Vitasoy comes in plain, chocolate, malt, coconut, honeydew, and now mocha flavor. Note that this is different from the big boxes of Vitasoy that's sold in the US at Whole Foods. That stuff is absolutely disgusting.

• Texture: Thinner and less phlegm inducing than western soy milks like Silk and American Vitasoy. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Flavor:
  
  
  
  • Plain: There's really no flavor to this except a light soybean flavor that's really not noticeable. As this is a kid's drink, it is loaded with sugar cane juice (not high fructose corn syrup) and has a nice creamy flavor. A classic that can do no wrong. Rating: 10 out of 10.
  
  
  • Chocolate: While there is definately a chocolate flavor, it really doesn't taste like what Western chocolate milks. It tastes more like a cocoa powder/carob mix. Rating: 7 out of 10.
  
  
  • Malt: Malt vitasoy is one of my favorite flavors. There is a very distinct and yummy malt flavor that's really hard to describe, but it leaves you wanting more and more and more... uh yeah, anybody who's tasted malty drinks like Horlick's knows what I'm talking about. Rating: 10 out of 10.
  
  
  • Coconut: I have to admit that this is one flavor that I find completely unpalatable. Coconut milk is just one thing that does not need to be made creamier. Rating: 0 out of 10.
  
  
  • Honeydew: This is a really unique (weird) flavor. Usually I don't like honeydew vitasoy, but once in a great long while I do get the urge to drink packs and packs of this stuff. It's like eating an everlasting creamy honeydew candy. This is one vitasoy flavor that leaves your mouth smelling like a fruit salad. Rating: 7 out of 10.
  
  
  • Mocha: I think this flavor is relatively new as I haven't seen this anywhere in the states yet.


• Packaging: Not much to look at. Each box is the size of a normal juice box and they come in different colors depending on the flavor so they're easy to distinguish from each other. One thing that I don't like is how easily the straw bends and gets a hole when I'm trying to get it out of the plastic wrapper. This makes it impossible to drink the rest of the soymilk once the level of liquid in the box is below where the break is in the straw. Rating: 6 out of 10.


• Availability: This is a very common drink that's available at any Asian grocery store. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Origins: Vitasoy is currently produced in Guangdong, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. There was a sour milk incident ten years ago with milk packaged from the Guangdong plant. I'd buy the Hong Kong produced milk just to be safe. Rating: 5 out of 10.

Technorati: soymilk, vitasoy, junk food, drinks, beverages, snacks, soy

Dried Pork Floss

Pork Floss is basically shredded pork that is flavored with soy sause and sugar that is then cooked over dry heat until the meat fibers become so dry and dehydrated that it resembles fluffy bits of wool. The pork floss is often eaten as a sandwich filling, sprinkled on top of congee, or just eaten straight out of the jar. Pork floss on toast goes wonderfully with a cup of milk tea. :)

• Texture: Dry and a little crunchy. Kind of like eating cotton candy where once you put the pork floss into your mouth, it 'dissolves' into a juicy bit of pork jerky. Does not tend to get stuck in teeth, but eating this snack can get a bit messy if you're not careful. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Flavor: As this is flavored with soy sauce and is basically concentrated bits of pork jerky, it is very savory and flavorful. Even though the main flavoring is soy sauce, it's mellowed out with sugar so pork floss is never overly salty. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Packaging: Pork floss is usually sold in tiny soup bowl sized tubs or giant gallon sized tubs. It's very hard to miss unless you're aware of some other food that looks like bits of yarn. The packaging is nothing special to look at. Rating: 5 out of 10.
• Availability: This is a very common snack that's available at any Asian grocery store. As far as I know, it's still not sold in any supermarkets. Rating: 8 out of 10.
• Origins: Made in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, or Thailand. So eat at your own risk! Rating: 2 out of 10.

Technorati: pork, jerky, pork floss, pork fu, Junk Food, snacks

Haw Flakes

Haw flakes are a kind of candy made from dried berries of the Hawthorne flower. They come in various sizes depending on the compnay that produces them. My favorite kind look like little packets of firecrackers. They come in ten packs of cylindrical stacks wrapped with pink, green, and yellow paper. However, they're always shaped into thin round wafers. They're brownish/redish colored and taste like dry non gummy versions of fruit rollups or fruit leather. That is if fruit rollups were made from real fruit...

• Texture: They start out dry and kind of crunchy. This is really hard to explain, haw flakes aren't really crunchy like a potato chip, but more like crunchy with a bit of chew. The plastic wrapped kind of haw flakes tend to be sticky and moist, these aren't really crunchy. Warning: this snack does tend to stick to teeth. Do not eat more than one at a time. They also leave your mouth with a rough feeling. There's really no aftertaste. Rating: 5 out of 10.


• Flavor: Even though haw flakes are made by several companies, they all taste the same, though some may be sweeter. Rating: 7 out of 10.


• Packaging: Depending on the brand of haw flakes, they may be wrapped in plastic or paper. I personally think the paper kind is pretty nifty. They look like little firecrackers, they're ultra portable, and they're stackable. The plastic wrapped kind come in long rolls of discs and they have to be sealed up or put into a ziploc bag after they're opened. Rating: 10 out of 10 for the firecracker haw flakes.


• Availability: This is a very common candy and can be found at all Asian grocery stores. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Origins: Most likely made in China or Taiwan. Though I've eaten these for more than a decade and haven't gotten sick from them, eat at your own risk. Rating: 5 out of 10.

Technorati: Sweet, Fruit, Junk food, Candy, Dried Fruit, Snacks, Haw Flakes, Chinese

Aji Ichiban Black Sesame Fish Fillet

Aji Ichiban's black sesame fish fillet consists of a savory black sesame illing sandwiched between two thin layers of dry cod jerky cut into thin strips.

• Texture: Dry and chewy like any good jerky, but neither tough or stringy. The little black sesame seeds may tend to leave behind specks of black in between teeth. I like to eat these like I eat oreos, yummy filling first and then the outside layer. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Flavor: Salty and savory, this snack doesn't have a very strong or distinctive flavor. However I just can't stop at one, kinda like potato chips. There is a slight fishy smell, but it really isn't that noticeable. Each bite into the sesame seed filling releases a bit of toasted sesame flavor. Rating: 7 out of 10.


• Packaging: The jerky is sold by weight, either prepackaged in flat packages or half pound bags. At their store locations, you can pick whatever you want and fill your provided aji ichiban bag to the brim. The plastic bags are clear with orange edging and Aji Ichiban in both chinese and english printed on the center of the bag. Be sure to keep everything in a ziploc bag once you open the package though. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Availability: Very hard to find outside of Hong Kong or large chinatowns. This type of jerky is also made by many Chinese and Japanese brands, but they may use different recipes. YMMV. Rating: 2 out of 10. Aji Ichiban USA


• Origins: Origins are unknown, so eat at your own risk! Rating: 0 out of 10.

Technorati: salty, fish, Junk food, seafood, asian, Snacks, sesame

Kasugai Flower's Kiss Candy

Kasugai Flower's Kiss Candies come individually sealed in pretty pastel colored wrappers. The packaging claims that they make your breath smell as fresh as a flower so you can kiss.

• Texture: Flower's Kiss is a round hard candy that's a little bit bigger than Starburst hard candies. Be careful not to cut or puncture your mouth on the shards if you bite down on the candy. Rating: 5 out of 10.


• Flavor: The packaging says that plum flavoring is used. I found that it tasted like a cross between apricot and peach. The candies are not too sweet and a bit tart. They remind me of jolly ranchers. All the candies are the same flavor regardless of what color wrapper it has. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Packaging: The wrappers are very pretty and the product seems to be targetted more towards female buyers. Flower's Kiss Candy wrappers come in pearlescent blue, pink, and yellow. Each wrapper has a picture of a different type of flower on it. There are 19 in total, try to collect them all! Each bag contains approximately 27 pieces of candy. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Availability: This is a very common candy and can be found at almost all Asian grocery stores. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Origins: 100% made in Japan! Rating: 10 out of 10.

Technorati: Candy, Fruit, Junk food, Japanese, Sweet, Snacks, Kasugai

Kasugai Gummy Candies

Kasugai gummy candies are one of my favorite things in the world.  These gummies come in a variety of flavors. The gummies are individually wrapped and they are all made in Japan. The are 9 flavors in total.

• Apple
• Grape (Red Grape)
• Kiwi
• Lychee
• Melon
• Muscat (Green Grape)
• Pineapple
• Peach
  
• Strawberry
• Orange
  
• Prune
• Blueberry
• There is also a multiflavor pack available.
  
  

• Texture: Kasugai gummies are always soft and chewy. If they are kept in their individually wrapped packages, they will never be tough or hard. The gummies are very squishy and each bite fills your mouth with a yummy fruit flavor. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Flavor: I can honestly say that I love all the flavors, even though I hate eating real lychees and grapes. The candies are so fragrant that eating one in a small room will fill the room with the scent of fruit! As with most
  Asian candies, they are not too sweet and leave your mouth feeling refreshed. The flavors do not taste fake or artificial and the sensation of biting into one is like biting into the most ripe and delicious fruit whose flavor
  is so concentrated that it leaves you with a heady sensation. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Packaging: The backgrounds of the bags are all closeup pictures of fruit. They can be a bit difficult to find if you don't read Japanese, but they all have Kasugai written in the top left hand corner of the bag. If it says Kasugai and the contents are squishy, then you've found it. Each gummy is beautifully wrapped and cushioned with a bit of air. Rating: 8 out of 10.
  
• Availability: While they are available in most Asian grocery stores, the variety of flavors usually leaves a lot to be desired. Your safest bet is to buy them from a Japanese grocery store where there will be the largest selection. As far as I know, these candies are not available in normal supermarkets.
• Origins: 100% made in Japan so these snacks are safe to eat. Rating: 10 out of 10.

Technorati:
Candy, Fruit, Junk food, Japanese, Sweet, Snacks, Kasugai

Demae Ramen

The Asian version of Top Ramen, Demae Ramen is a favorite of many people in Asian, from rich to poor. Overseas, instant ramen noodles do not have the same reputation of being unpalatable or food that only college students eat. While it is still far from being considered 'good eats', it is served in diners and family restaurants, usually with some meat, an egg, or vegetables over the top. The reason for this may frankly be that the Asian top ramen range offers more flavors and is better tasting. Instead of just seasoning powders and dehydrated vegetable and meat chunks, many flavors come with packets of sesame oil or garlic paste. Some also come with shrimp, beef, or chicken flavored sauces. While the seasoning packets still contain more msg than they should, Demae Ramen does contain real spices like chili powders, scallons, lemon grass, and sesame seeds which is a lot more than I can say about Top Ramen.

• Texture: Cook in boiling water for about three minutes and your noodles will be just right. Perfect for slurping (carefully!). The noodles are long and continuous so it is possible to wind an entire bowl of noodles onto your fork. Beware of splashing and possible stains. Rating: 10 out of 10.


• Flavor: The right amount of water per packet of noodles is just at or a little below the top of your noodles. Many diverse flavors with lots of spices. This may be a little too intense for those who are used to the bland taste of the American version of ramen, so dilute to suit your taste.
  
  
  
  • Sesame Oil: The flavor is actually savory pork broth with sesame oil and it is the most common flavor found in both Chinese and Japanese grocery stores. Rating: 9 out of 10 for being a classic.
  
  
  • Beef: The beef flavor is the same as Top noodle beef except that there are little bits of green onion which gives a nice kick to an otherwise bland flavor. Rating: 6 out of 10.
  
  
  • Chicken: Unlike beef, the chicken flavor does not in anyway resemble the American chicken flavor. While neither one actually tastes like chicken, the Asian version will knock your socks off with the combination of garlic, green onion, and sesame oil. There are also little bits of green onion and sesame seeds in the sauce. Rating: 9 out of 10, aromatic but refreshing.
  
  
  • Pork: This flavor tastes like stir fry shreaded pork. Unlike the sesame oil (pork broth) flavor, this one has the rich aroma of just cooked pork in every bite. Rating: 6 out of 10 because I really don't like pork that much.
  
  
  • Curry: While this may be called curry, keep in mind that this is not like the Indian curry you may be thinking of. Nor is it the Japanese style of curry. This is the Chinese type of curry otherwise known as the bland yellow powder with one flavor curry. I found this flavor to be a bit more salty than the others so you may have to use an extra bit of water. Rating: 7 out of 10.
  
  
  • Satay: Mmmm yummy beef satay. Beef, garlic, and tumeric come together to make this one of the stronger flavors. Like the curry flavor, satay is a bit saltier than the rest. Rating: 9 out of 10.
  
  
  • Prawn: Tastes a bit like a concentrated liquid version of Calbee shrimp chips. Those with sensitive noses or who have not been exposed to 'exotic' flavors like shrimp may want to stay away from this one. Rating: 6 out of 10.
  
  
  • Spicy: This stuff really is spicy, start out by adding only a bit of the chili powder packet. Do not use the whole packet until you've tasted the soup first! Rating: 6 out of 10, spicy, but otherwise unspectacular.
  
  
  • Seafood: I have never come across any type of seafood that I haven't liked, but this is just one of the worst ramen flavors. I'll even say that it's worse than chicken top ramen. Extremely bland with only a salty savory flavor, there's no hint of seafood or spices. I might as well have just left my noodles in it's cooking water and eaten it that way. Rating: 2 out of 10.
  
  
  • Tonkotsu: Tonkotsu soup is a Japanese soup base that gets its flavor from pork bones, garlic, and onion. The flavor is very rich and savory. Beware though that real tonkotsu is high in fat! There's even a packet of pork flavored oil (it might be lard/palm oil) for authenticity. I suggest that you just add half of the oil packet to get a bit of the flavor. Rating: 8 out of 10.
  
  
  • Miso: I have not been able to find this flavor in the states.
  
  
  • Spicy Seafood: Like the seafood flavor except with a chili powder packet to make it really spicy. Grab some tissues for this one. Rating: 5 out of 10.
  
  
  • Roast Beef: Yummy! Just as the name suggests, it's like a cross between the traditional beef flavor and tonkotsu mixed with some extra spices. Rating: 10 out of 10.
  
  
  • XO Sauce: For those who are not familiar with Chinese cuisine, XO sauce is a mixture of shrimp and other seafood soaked in chili oil. XO ramen indeed comes with a little white packet of XO sauce for you to squeeze into the soup base. Be aware that this is the spicy XO sauce. Rating: 10 out of 10 because XO makes everything taste good.
  
  
  • Teriyaki flavor: Mmm grilled beef. Need I say more? Rating: 10 out of 10.
  
  
  • Tokyo shoyu: Soy sauce flavor with a packet of seaweed. Savory and light at the same time. Rating: 8 out of 10.
  
  
  • Spicy Tonkotsu: So spicy that chili is not only in the soup, but also mixed into the noodles! In case you couldn't tell by the red orange color of the noodles. Rating: 8 out of 10.
  
  
  • Teriyaki Chicken with Garlic: Very garlicky! Comes with a separate teriyaki sauce packet. Rating: 9 out of 10.
  
  
  • Laksa: A Southeast Asian specialty. Laksa is a curry based flavor which usually contains fish, shrimp and various kinds of seafood, tamarind, coconut, and spices. Even more so than the prawn flavor, this one may be a bit odd or even offensive to those with a sensitive palate. You've probably never tasted anything remotely like this unless you're familiar with Southeast Asian cuisine. Rating: 10 out of 10 because I like weird foods.
  
  
  • Tom Yam Goong: Thai hot and sour shrimp soup with lime, lemon grass, and chili. Very hot! Rating: 10 out of 10.
  
  
  • Chili: Here's a Korean inspired flavor. Very spicy and a bit sour. This is one of those flavors that's difficult to describe. Rating: 7 out of 10.
  
  
  
  


• Packaging: Even with all the different colored packages, the 出前一丁 logo and cartoon noodle guy is unmistakeable. The Demae Ramen packs also have the flavor in English on the front. Be aware though that Nissin also makes udon noodle packs that look very much like the ramen packs. Rating: 7 out of 10, the brand is easily distinguishable, but double check to make sure you've got the right flavor.


• Availability: With the exception of the more exotic flavors, the noodles are found at all asian grocery stores. The most common are chicken, beef, sesame, and seafood. Some of the flavors near the middle or end of the list are extremely hard to find, unless you live by a large Asian community. Rating: 5 out of 10. It's more likely that I'll find twenty dollars lying on the street than find miso or teriyaki flavored ramen at any local Asian grocery stores.


• Origins: Be sure to check where your noodles were manufactured. The locations I've seen are Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and China. Rating: 5 out of 10.

Technorati : Cup Noodles, Instant Noodles, Junk food, Nissin, Ramen, Snacks, Top Ramen

Calbee Shrimp Flavored Chips

A classic snack that is easily found in most Asian grocery stores and 'non-ethnic' supermarkets in the states. Despite it's name, these are not really shrimp chips so much as french fry/cheeto shaped snacks. Do not confuse them with 'haw peen' which are actual deep fried shrimp chips.

• Flavor: 'Shrimp Flavored Chips" used to be called 'Prawn Crackers' several years ago before Calbee America was established. Despite the name change, the flavor is still pretty much unchanged. Some may find the shrimp flavor unsettling unless they're used to eating asian snack foods. Personally I don't think it tastes anything like shrimp and it really isn't that strong or noticeable anyways. It's also baked so it's lower in calories and has less seasoning (msg) than most American brand chips. A wonderfully light and not too salty flavor. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Texture: Light and crunchy. Kind of like a cheeto except with more crunch and without the tendency to stick to your teeth. The chips aren't covered with a lot of seasoning and it's not tinted or colored so you'll never be left with dirty hands or clothes. This snack does not tend to leave behind any crumbs and it doesn't break apart easily in the bag or in your hands. Rating: 10 out of 10 for a very pleasant tactile experience.


• 
  Packaging: A standard chip bag filled with air for extra cushioning. The bag is white with pink dots and a large central picture of the chips against a yellow background.
  Compared to the size of most snack food bags, this may seem a bit small. The Japanese bag has a solid red background with a shrimp on the center of the bag. There's also a wasabi version with green dots instead of pink, and a garlic flavor with an orange background. Rating: 8 out of 10.


• Availability: Finding this snack used to be a problem if you didn't have access to an Asian grocery store. Now these chips are available at most supermarkets and even some wholesale retailers along with Calbee's other famous product in the US, Snow Pea Crisps. Rating: 9 out of 10.


• Origins: Rest assured that these chips are made in the states and are not from China or other countries where food safety regulations are either non existent or often violated. Rating: 10 out of 10.

Technorati : asian, calbee, chips, crackers, shrimp, snack

Rating System

Foods are rated in the following categories

• Flavor


• Texture


• Packaging


• Availability


• Origins
  

Ratings range from 0 to 10 with 0 being the worst and 10 being absolutely amazing.