Snacking My Way Round Japan

2006-04-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

These "cat" chocolates come in all different varieties, although none of them are moggy-shaped or feline-flavoured. Along with "blonde cats", these "platinum cats" are the latest on the shelves. I was taken with them because of the stylish box, the promise of "milk and salt" flavour and the blue chocolate. They were disappointing. I liked the shape- nice and thin, lovely just out of the fridge- but the flavour was nothing spectacular. Oh well. Just have to wait for the new "brunette" and "blue-rinse" varieties.
Let's see....4/10

2006-03-30T16:50:00.000-08:00

Is it a gummi? Is it a marshmallow? The manufacturers don't seem to know either because they write exactly that on the packet. And, indeed, they are something between the two. One could also say they have the texture of something resembling a cross between polystyrene and foam rubber. Actually, I liked the texture. Flavour-wise, these ones, as you can see, are "yogurt" flavour (but resembled no yogurt I have ever sampled) and are also available in grape flavour or new green apple. I have also tried the green apple flavour and the tasted the same as the yogurt so...hey-ho. In all, not my favourites. They are incredibly, tooth-achingly, sweet but somehow acidic at the same time. I could practically feel them burning holes in my stomach-lining. They are reasonably priced because they are aimed at the under-10s so that acid-sensation does come cheap, if that's what you're after. Maybe kids just have strnger guts. After all, they do eat, like, worms and stuff, don't they?
I give these: 5/10

2006-03-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

Ahh, can't have a Japanese snack site without a pocky or two. These are your basic run-of-the-mill Pockies. No frills, no bells, no juggling, nothing but pure unadulterated biscuit and melon-flovoured-chocolatesque coating. Dreamy!
Rating: 10/10

2006-03-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

Just what you want in the winter, a nice warming mug of tomato potage. Potage is the moniker given by Japanese to any soup that isn't coloured water. This is instant stuff and I wasn't expecting much. Good thing. Nice colour but not creamy. All the bits that go into making it "potage" rather than "soup" sort of settle at the bottom of your mug so you have watery stuff at the top and sludge at the bottom. Doesn't taste to bad but if you have a big mug, you may need to add two sachets at once. Posters in the supermarkets suggest that this might be an ideal breakfast for your kids.
Rating: 5/10

2006-02-27T19:55:00.000-08:00

Continuing the fruity theme of the last post. Morning fruits, this is. The idea is that you sprinkle this on your yogurt or cereal in the morning (or on your rice and fish, if you are a traditional sort of guy/gal) and you will experience all kinds of benefits. It's not bad. In cluded in the mix are dried bananas, grapes, kiwi, strawberries and mango along with aloe impregnated pumpkin seeds (no idea) and mini chocoballs.
Rebel that I am, I ate this in the evening. Made a change.
Rating: 9/10

2006-02-23T19:48:00.000-08:00

This sorry-looking specimen tastes better than it looks, if sweet and squidgy is your thing. So, it's a light sponge filled with sweet whipped cream. The USP is the (count 'em) three whole strawberries concealed within the cream. In a country where one saves up to buy a punnet of 12 strawbs, you can imagine that this particular snack doesn't come cheap. 250yen is the going price but for that you do get more than your daily recommended intake of fat and carbs, not to mention the Vit C boost from the fruit so it's not all bad. I give it...
Rating: 8/10

2006-02-21T20:16:00.000-08:00

Going to be on me hols for the next couple of weeks so have posted a few snacks in advance to keep your tastebuds tingling.

2006-02-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

"Plum snack" from the local convenience store. They are pink rice crackers in blossom form and taste like sour plums. It was only 100 yen for the relatively big bag, part of Daily Yamazaki's budget range. Good on price, then, but could have been a bit more plummy.
Rating: 8/10

2006-02-18T00:55:00.000-08:00

"Neo-Fruits C" sherbet sweeties. I think the "C" is to hint at some sort of vitamin content. Could also stand for "cavity". Four flavours- strawberry, pineapple, orange and apple. Thin so melt quickly on the tongue.
Rating: 9/10

2006-02-16T02:29:00.000-08:00

Calbee, the King of Japanese crisps/chips/ dried crunchy potato things. These are nori and salt flavour. Nori is seaweed. Taste pretty good but the smell reminds me of the food we used to give my goldfish. Actually they smell like the goldfish. And all in a handy 90g pack.
Rating: 7/10

2006-02-16T02:19:00.000-08:00

No, not sheep crap but Choco Balls. These are the caramel version. Also available year-round in nut and strawberry versions with seasonal variations. The penguin thing on the front is Kyoro-chan. Maybe it's a toucan. I don't know. I'm only interested in what's in the box.
Rating: 9/10 Love these.

2006-02-16T02:13:00.000-08:00

Orange drink to put a smile on your face. 24% real fruit juice. Wooooo! Also goes under the name of "Natchan". Produced by Suntory of whisky fame. Natchan on the rocks, anyone?
Rating: 7/10

2006-02-16T02:08:00.000-08:00

Cherry blossom-flavoured KitKat. Special edition KitKats appear on the shelves in Japan three or four times a year. At the minute there are two- strawberry (yawn) and cherry blossom. Well, spring is coming and we've all got to enjoy those cherry blossoms in some form or other. Why not imbibe the spirit of Yamato with a dry wafer covered in hard, sweet, pink fat?
Strangely nice but a bit on the sugary side.
Rating: 6/10 (mostly for originality)

2006-02-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

The coffee for those who can't stand the stuff. A pleasantly creamy, caramel-flavoured milky drink with the slightest hint of coffee. In a 200ml plastic cup with straw. 144 cals.
Rating: 8/10