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

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

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.


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  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