Trying Fun, New, and Exotic Snacks- Part 2

Hello all!

Today I share with you a continuation of my previous blog in a separate post, where I reviewed many fun snacks I tried from around the world (mostly out of Asia) that I recently got to try as part of an awesome Christmas gift. As with my previous entry, I will update this blog as I go and deliver my takes on various snack foods that I try. Leave a comment for any suggestions for fun snacks to try, and/or your personal takes, and be sure to check out the full series.

In addition, part 16 of my story blog, Dimension Pizza, is nearly finished and will be posted soon. Feel free to give it a read if you haven’t already!

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Link to Part 1: https://www.jetpunk.com/users/aestheticdirt/blog/trying-new-fun-and-exotic-snacks-part-1

We’re starting off strong with Kurmure rice puffs. These snacks are out of Nepal, and have a mild chicken flavor. Like the 2PM fire balls back in Part 1, these don’t have much of an intense flavor as you eat your first one, but it accumulates as you eat them. Unlike the 2PM fire balls, however, this one actually has a decent flavor that increases in savoryness rather than raw heat that does indeed taste like chicken. Overall a nice, simple taste to sit down and enjoy with a cup of chai that grew on me as I ate them.

Final Verdict: 8/10

Similar but not to be confused with the above, we have another variation of the puffed rice snack, this time with a stronger flavor, closer to the classic taste of masala. This snack, manufactured by PepsiCo. India, has a savory heat and is, in many ways, the definition of namkeen. Overall, it was pretty good.

Final Verdict: 7/10

Back in Part 1, I reviewed several different takes on various flavors of the classic potato chip, from hot dog to german bratwurst to french cheese. A couple of you also recommended I try chile limon chips, which sound good but I still have yet to try. However, this time, we have masala chips.

Now, we’ve all had those barbecue potato chips that taste nothing like barbecue, and sit out at a party all day with 2/3 of the bag untouched while everyone fights over the classic or the sour cream and cheddar. Thus, I wasn’t fully sure what to expect with these chips.

These, however, had a strong masala taste which hits as soon as you bite into it. It isn’t overpowering, but comforting, and isn’t fake-tasting like the aforementioned barbecue chips, but had the familiar taste of spices that it so advertised. As far as potato chips go, this one is a winner.

Final Verdict: 8/10

While we’re on the topic of potato chips, I also gave these sriracha chips from the familiar Japanese snack foods brand a try. Now for context, as a kid I LOVED Sriracha sauce. I would do shots of it out of the bottle in the kitchen, often to show off. After eating some spicy garlic as a kid, I grabbed the bottle and shook it up to wash it down with some sriracha as a kid, to my cousin’s shock. I twisted open the little green cap, and it squirted right into my eye.

Yeah, had that one coming.

Anyway, my problem with many Sriracha-themed snacks is that they fall into two categories: either they taste completely like Sriracha and nothing else, since the chili sauce is so overpowering, or they have a small inkling of that Sriracha taste but feel… neutered. These chips fell into the latter group.

Now the flavor itself wasn’t bad. It actually reminded me more of a toned down version of a different sauce I use a lot called Chin Su, manufactured by the same company that makes Sriracha. However, in terms of the Sriracha taste that these chips advertised, they really didn’t deliver. The all-caps STRONG on the bag kind of adds insult to injury, especially considering that Karamucho, like Buldak, is usually known for their spicy products. It was an alright chip, sure, but nothing special.

Final Verdict: 6/10

Getting straight to the point here: I don’t know why so many people go crazy over this one.

I tried this one again very recently, and was not a fan of the red bean paste at all. I found it to have a pretty unpleasant aftertaste with a bland flavor. Now, the mochi texture itself I don’t mind. I had a peanut one that was a solid 5, and I’ve also had mochi ice cream that had an excellent flavor.

I feel like red bean paste is one of those things like taro where, if I grew up in Japan or a part of the world where it’s commonly eaten and first had it at a young age, I would like it.

Final Verdict: 2/10

Ah, Latiao, my old friend. I just had to include this one.

This oily, spongey snack is popular in East Asia, and is very much a comfort snack for me. My personal favorite is WeiLong brand, which has the image of a laughing cartoon kid on the little package, which helps you recognize the packaging if you don’t know Chinese.

The first thing you will notice upon opening the bag is that, the second you open it up, the entire room smells like Latiao. In addition, whatever you touch will now be covered in bright orange oil. Upon biting down on the spongey strips, you’ll be hit with a smooth chili flavor.

This snack is unique and bears a certain je ne sais quoi in the way the texture and flavor interact. After bringing this into work a while back, the reactions were mixed, from my coworker immediately heading to the local Asian market and buying several bags, to my manager spitting it into the trash. This hot snack isn’t a crowd pleasure, sure, but for those willing to try it, I’m willing to give this one a rare perfect ten.

Final Verdict: 10/10

This one was… something.

Now, I love to sit back with a nice lager every once in a while. These were like if you described beer to an alien that had no concept of beer and told it to make a chip. Overall, the combination of peach, beer, and potato chip… yeah don’t try this one.

Final Verdict: 3/10

Meiji chocolates are a popular brand in Japan for a reason; it’s overall a really high-quality chocolate which melts in your mouth. Compared to many Western brands of chocolate, Meiji has a smoothness and milkiness to it that’s hard to find in other brands. The box of little pink strawberry caught my attention for reasons unexplained: I popped one into my mouth and was floored at the sheer quality. I know now why these chocolates are so beloved in the land of the rising sun.

Final Verdict: 9/10

This sticky, chewy confection is a staple of Turkish culture, and is easily the most popular and well-known dessert to come out of Türkiye. This dessert is served after dinner around holidays, and every Turkish person I’ve known raves about the stuff. The reputation, the vibrant color, the name, they all stood out to me for years, and not long ago I saw it in a Ukrainian cafe/market and finally gave it a try.

The little sugary cubes are similar to an incredibly sweet, incredibly chewy gumdrop with a powdery texture on the outside. It didn’t blow me away, but it had a decent flavor which sticks with you. Literally.

From what I hear, the homemade stuff is way better than the commercial ones that come in the box. Maybe one of these days I’ll try making it, or if I ever wind up going to Türkiye, get a taste of the real deal.

Final Verdict: 7/10

This snack, coming from southern India, has a mild chickpea flavor, with a bit of nuttiness and a subtle, aromatic spice which accumulates. The taste reminds me a lot of these chickpea vegetable fritters that I’ve had alongside mint chutney (blanking on the name). I’m also wondering if they have nicotine, since I’ve been eating the entire time I’ve been typing this and can’t stop.

Final Verdict: 9/10

To wrap up, let’s talk about jerky. I’ve tried many different creatures in jerky form at this point: elk, ostrich, alligator, camel… One of my favorites so far is kangaroo jerky, which was fairly similar to venison. Solid 8/10 product.

However, the most memorable jerky I’ve ever tried was a salmon jerky from Alaska about seven years ago. Upron reflection, I had to put this one in. The texture was greasy and it had a smoked yet fishy smell. I took a bite, and came within a couple seconds of throwing up.

The aftertaste stuck with me for a while, and wouldn’t go away short of scrubbing my tongue with steel wool. They say your tastes change every seven years, and you know what? I think I’ll take their word for it.

Final Verdict: 1/10

10/10

- Dubai Chocolate

- Latiao

9/10

- Akabare Stix

- German Brat Pringles

- Gulab Jamun

- Maliban Chocolate Puffs

- Meiji Chocolate

- Mini Murukku

- Slantix

8/10

- Chalte-Chalte

- Chicken Kurmure

- Chocolate-Filled Wafers

- Kangaroo Jerky

- Masala Chips

7/10

- 2PM Cheese Balls

- French Cheese Chips

- Kurkure Chilli-Chatka

- Soan Papdi

- Turkish Delight

6/10

- Sriracha Chips

5/10

- 2PM Fire Balls

- Hot Dog Chips

- Peanut Mochi

3/10

- White Peach Beer Chips

2/10

- Red Bean Mochi

- Whopper Doritos

1/10

- Pustakari

- Salmon Jerky