Sunscreen? Check. Beachwear? Check. A new Japanese snack box full of delicious and refreshing treats by the one and only ZenPop? Absolutely check!!
They've been so kind to *sponsor* this blog post, and sent me a free Japanese Snack Box to review. Are you ready? Let's go!
Each Snack Box includes:
- New and trendy snacks from Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores
- Popular instant noodles and beverages
- Candy and gummies unique to Japan
- Indulgent sweets like chocolates, cookies, or wagashi
- A variety of salty and savory snacks to delight and surprise you
- At least a dozen or more new things to try in every box!
The theme for the August 2023 box is Summertime Snacks: Summertime in the beautiful Japanese inland sea is all about beach fun and relaxing in hammocks with a projector, watching our favorite anime releases. It's the ultimate setup for a perfect night! By the way, have you caught up with the latest season of Kimetsu no Yaiba? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
I'm so ready to enjoy Summer and the deliciousness ZenPop has brought along! (Well, I can see the snacks are already enjoying the sunny beach π)
- Sugomen Wakayama Chuka Soba from Yamadai: Why not enjoy the essence of Japanese summer through the Kansai prefecture? That's what I got to experience with this Sugomen Wakayama Chuka Soba! The soup—made with the renowned "Kurasho Taru-jikomi" from Yuasa Soy Sauce Co. Ltd—had the extra flavour kick I needed to savour this dish despite the hot weather.
- Tsubumi Orange from Sangaria: This was such a refreshing drink! It tasted like tangerine juice and, although I normally don't like my juice with bits in it, I did on this occasion. It's definitely a much needed beverage during this hot Summer!
- Palettie Hyuganatsu Cheese Cake from Fujiya: I truly enjoy bite-sized snacks and I enjoy cheesecakes, so this lemon-y treat didn't go unnoticed. It was made with the finest HyugaNatsu Peel sourced from the west side of Japan, and the citrus flavour had just the right amount of balance with the cream cheese, making the taste very soft.
- Rollcake Butter Cream Flavor from Yaokin: This delectable roll cake was very fluffy and delicious, with a delightful butter cream filling sandwiched between layers of soft dough. Yaokin certainly knows my food weaknesses. Well done, Yaokin; well done.
- Mini Amijaga Umashio Flavor from Tohato: Although ZenPop knows how to entice me with sweet treats, I generally prefer salty treats, and these cutely shaped potato chips were truly a delight! The umashio flavour was quite strong, but that's probably why I enjoyed them a lot more than all the potato snacks ZenPop has bestowed upon me so far.
- Pride Potato JAPAN Kobe Beef from Koikeya: These potato chips were indeed a pride! As soon as I opened the package, I was surrounded by a wonderful meaty aroma and, to be honest with you, if this Kobe beef (which meets the highest standards among the renowned "Tajima Beef" produced in Hyogo Prefecture) smells and tastes like that, I really can't wait to try this delicacy for real! Definitely a symphony of flavors for my taste buds!
- Onigiri Senbei from Masuya: You know I can't resist a senbei, especially if it's as good as this Onigiri Senbei from Masuya! I had the pleasure of trying it the first time in the Snack Revelation box and, since I loved it so much, I'm so glad it made another appearance!
- Mikan Chan from Kawaguchi Seika: Mandarin oranges are one of my favourite fruits, I'm so glad I got to taste them in the form of candy! And how could I not enjoy these fruity treats when they're shaped like a whole peeled mandarin orange, and the package looks so adorable?
- Coconut Sable Mini Suppai Ano Koi no Aji from Cisco: Sadly this was a bit of a miss. The sour taste was too overpowering in my opinion, and I barely tasted the coconut.
- Mini Sapporo Potato Tsubutsubu Vegetable from Calbee: I got to try this amazing snack in the Snack Sledge box first, and I'm so happy it came back, even if it's a smaller version. And, just like last time, I wasn't able to identify the seven different vegetables. Everything was delicious, though!
- Tabekko Doubutsu Coconut Milk from Ginbis: If the coconut biscuits from Cisco were a little miss, these Tabekko Doubutsu Coconut Milk from Ginbis were a big one. Unfortunately I did not like them at all. I do enjoy the flavour of coconut occasionally, but roasted coconut was too much for me. One thing I did like, though, was the fact that the biscuits were shaped like an animal, and had the name stamped on each biscuit. That was cute and cool.
- Umaibo Sugar Rusk Flavor from Yaokin: My relationship with this treat from Yaokin has had its ups and downs, but I think it's time to take it to the next level. It's super safe to say that Umaibo Sugar Rusk was my absolute favourite snack of this box. ZenPop is often saying how certain snacks should bring back childhood memories (or memories from the past), but I've never truly understood the feeling because I wasn't born in Japan and I've never had any of those snacks. Well, I never truly understood until now. Rusks are quite a common snack in Italy, whether you have them for breakfast or as an afternoon treat. I remember as a child, we used to have a slice of bread with butter and sugar on top as a snack. With one bite of this Umaibo, it was like I was suddenly transported back in time. I swear it was the strangest feeling, the taste of the buttery rusk had all the memories of having that treat as a child rushing back to me.
- Swiss Baum from Taisyo Seika: I like peanuts, so how could I not enjoy this heavenly treat? The creamy texture was quite the treat, too bad there was only one!
- Hiroshima Lemon Jelly from Ace: Surprisingly, I enjoyed these Hiroshima Lemon Jelly treats a lot more than I thought I would. Just like grape, I'm not too fond of lemon flavour, but these jellies were an absolute delight! I wish I could have had an entire bottle of lemon soda so it could've lasted a bit longer!
- Hiehiekko Gum from Marukawa Seika: I always enjoy the gums ZenPop adds in its boxes, especially because I rarely eat them otherwise—I'm normally not a gum girl. I certainly had a cool and refreshing experience with Marukawa Seika Hie Hiekko Gum, although I probably give it to the fact that it tasted like ramune. π
- Petit Pudding Jelly Custard Flavor from Kinjo: This Kinjo Petit Pudding Jelly Custard Flavor was such a yummy treat! I like custard snacks a lot, so I definitely enjoyed this!
- Apple Soda Gummy from Yaokin: This was a slight miss, mostly because I am not a fan of apple cider (or anything that has to do with apples in general, hehe) I did enjoy the fizz, though!
- Honey Peanut from Toyo Nuts: I like peanuts—like we've established—so these Honey Peanuts from Toyo Nuts were truly delicious, The sweetness of the honey was quite soft, which blended perfectly with the saltiness of the nuts, making this the perfect combination of sweet and salty (and my favourite, I might add).
- Gumidy Yogurt Flavor from Kanro: Candies with a gummy inside are always a fun treat to have at hand, and the yogurt flavour was quite interesting. So glad there were two!
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I really enjoyed this Summertime Snack box, I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it because of the citrus-y treats, but I actually did.
What are your favourite go-to snacks during Summer? Let me know in the comments!
欑εγΎγ§。♥
It's Matsuri season! If you—like me—aren't able to experience a Matsuri festival, don't worry, because ZenPop made sure that we're able to enjoy this aspect of Japanese culture with the delicious snacks in this month's box!
They've been so kind to *sponsor* this blog post, and sent me a free Japanese Snack Box to review. Are you ready? Let's go!
Each Snack Box includes:
- New and trendy snacks from Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores
- Popular instant noodles and beverages
- Candy and gummies unique to Japan
- Indulgent sweets like chocolates, cookies, or wagashi
- A variety of salty and savory snacks to delight and surprise you
- At least a dozen or more new things to try in every box!
The theme for the July 2023 box is Matsuri Munchies: Ready for Festival seasons? Celebrate the Japanese way with a tasty selection of snacks shipped directly from Osaka to you! Everything from a refreshing drink, a yummy ramen, and savory snacks to cover all your summer festivities!
I apologise in advance for the lateness of this review, as it should have been posted in June. However, the Italian postal service was so jealous of the yummy treats that my box was held at Import Customs for a really long time, and I only received it a few days ago.
Now that it's here, let's not waste any time and let's dive into Matsuri Munchies!
- Ippei chan Yaten no Yakisoba from Myojo syokuhin: I don't know how it's possible, but this Yakisoba tasted like festival. I know it doesn't make sense, but at the first bite I could picture myself in the middle of a festival, with all the sounds and wonderful smells that can be found there. I can't attend a festival, but it certainly doesn't mean I'm not able to enjoy it!
- Policky BBQ flavor from Yaokin: I've had the chance to try this snack in last year's November Nibbles box and somehow the flavour felt a bit different. Although my opinion about this snack hasn't changed, the BBQ flavor was a little more subtle than I remembered, which was nice.
- PET Ramune Desuyo from Hata kousen: Ramune drinks are always fun to have, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint! A tasty drink combined with a fun game, what more do you want? The taste of this Ramune slightly reminded me of the Calpis Melon Cream soda from the Kawaii Snacks box, it was really nice!
- Potemo German Potato flavor from Oyatsu company: In this Matsuri Munchies box, ZenPop introduces "Potemo," a snack with a playful name inspired by the Japanese word "γ" (mo), which means "also/too" in English. The subtle smokiness of the bacon flavour reminded me of a snack I was very used to as a child, so this particular salty treat brought back some happy memories.
- Kotsubu Poteco Umashio flavor from Tohato: I had a bigger version in my Sakura Treats box, so imagine my delight when I found this tasty, salty snack in this box. Since this Kotsubu Poteco resembles the shape of the ring used in a popular game called "Wanage" (or "Ringu Toss") played at Japanese festivals, I can only thank ZenPop for picking snacks that are so much fun! Perhaps I can still play the game using a toothpick as the stick... π
- Cheese Arare zoo chi from Iwazuka seika: What a tasty treat! I like cheese snacks, and the fact that they added peanuts to the mix makes it even more enjoyable. Be careful, though, with its addictive bite-sized shape you may finish your packet before you realise it's all gone!
- Sankaku Cracker Norishio flavor from Yaokin: The mini triangular crackers were quite popular when I was a child, so I was happy to try something that would evoke memories I had as a little kid. I couldn't taste the seaweed flavour too much, but these crackers were absolutely delightful!
- Hi-Chew Assort FANTA from Morinaga: Fanta and Hi-Chew's collaboration created a delightful and exciting snack pack! I really enjoy this type of candy, and let me tell you it IS packed with flavour! This Fanta treat may not be drinkable, but it is surely refreshing!
- Baby Star Ramen Umashio flavor mini from Oyatsu company: I'm normally not a fan of this type of snack, however, this Baby Star Ramen was quite the surprise! Its umami taste of scallops was delectable and a burst of flavourful delight! I'm going to take ZenPop's word and use it as a salad topping, since I like my salads to have a bit of crunch!
- Hora Dekita! Choco Banana Soft Candy from Coris: Leave it to ZenPop to make their boxes extra fun! This DIY snack was quite entertaining to assemble, and very yummy too! And, in case you're wondering, "Congratulations! You made it!" is what Hora dekita means in English.
- Petit Uranai Choco from Chirin seika: I just love this kind of snacks, and I'm definitely requesting ZenPop's assistance to help me with the choices of my fortune telling. Divination aside, these tiny chocolate bites are so good and addictive!
- Mini Bottle from Marta: Lots of ramune treats in this Matsuri Munchies box, and I have to say this was high among my favourites! Encased in a small bottle, these delightful ramune granules were both fizzy and sweet. A unique snack I definitely wouldn't mind trying again!
- Umai bo Yakitori flavor from Yaokin: What an amazing snack! I really enjoy these umaibo treats, and the delectable taste of yakitori (grilled chicken) sauce with this one was simply too good! Too bad there was only one, hehe π
- Pachi Pachi Panic Cola from Meisan: Awww, another snack that reminds me of my childhood! This too was in the November Nibbles box, so I was glad ZenPop gave me another chance to try this popping candy. The cola flavour is not very strong, but the fireworks sensation you feel when you eat it definitely enhances the flavour.
- Donguri Gum Life Guard from Pine: I am not familiar with the 1980s "Donguri Gum" and "Lifeguard", but I surely liked this candy-gum! The candy tasted like pineapple and, although I've never tried the Lifeguard fizzy drink, I agree that the overall taste is one of an energy drink. Truthfully, I feel very energised right now!
- Sour Paper Can Grape from Yaokin: We all know grape-flavoured treats are not may favourite, so this one was a bit of a miss for me. However, I think the texture of this unique paper-like candy was quite interesting.
- Kingyo Jelly Hakutou from Hata seika: Is it a peach-flavoured jelly or a game of "Golden fish Scooping"? Surprise, it's both! It undoubtedly gives Matsuri vibes, and I genuinely liked how this yummy treats combines two of my favourite things, peach and the fish scooping game. We don't have Matsuri in Italy, but we have fun fairs and as a child I used to always enjoy the fish scooping game... Well, I always enjoy it as an adult as well! π
- Petit Shirokuma kun Jelly Rennyu flavor from Kinjo: Let's face it, the adorable white bear with its tiny little crown made me want to not eat this yummy jelly snack. However, ZenPop is counting on me so I had to try it—sorry white bear! The cute thing is that when seen from above, it resembled the face of a polar bear, with the red beans as eyes, cherries as the nose, and mandarin oranges as the mouth. It was milky and very delicious, I should just learn to read all ZenPop's notes beforehand, as not only I didn't notice the face, but I didn't freeze the jelly and missed on a unique experience.
- Korasete Taberu Sherbet Soda Assort from Ace: I loved this, I loved this, I loved this! Have I told you how much I loved this delicious treat? These sherbet nibbles come in three flavours—Coke, White Soda, and Melon Soda—and they were so refreshing! It's really hot in Italy now, so they were a Godsend (thank you, ZenPop!). However, I can't tell you which one was my favourite because they were all super tasty!
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I'm so in love with the Matsuri Munchies snack box, all the snacks are perfect for the season and they truly make you feel like you're part of the fun a Matsuri brings.
I also have a little public service announcement... The awesome people at ZenPop have introduced ZenPlus, a fabulous service where you can stock up on past boxes with an awesome discount! If you missed on some snacks that were featured in my earlier reviews, you can now get them at a very affordable price. This also applies to past anime, stationery, and limited edition boxes, so click the link below to get your hands on some great goodies!
Get previous boxes and a variety of snacks by visiting ZenPlus!
What Matsuri Munchies snack are you most interested in? Let me know in the comments!
欑εγΎγ§。♥
