Crown Churroz

I'm waiting for a Spanish interpretation of Tteokbokki 

The Attraction

A Korean interpretation of a "Spanish" snack. You got to try it, no?

The Review:
I wasn't looking for a churro snack when I was walking down the snack aisle at my local Korean grocery, but there it was front and center. Mixed it with all these other snacks that offer Korean flavors, there was this snack that stood up and proclaimed, "I'm not like those other snacks. My origins are from Spain!" Based on the packaging, the manufacturer went out of their way to really drive that point across, even going as far as using Spain's national colors. How could I not review this for my legions (does more than 2 readers count as legions?) of adoring fans in sneakasnack world?

They look like a long uncut version
of  Bissli Pizza

I peel open the bag and the essence of sweet cinnamon comes drifting out of the package. The smell is familiar, but how many delicious snacks smell like sweet cinnamon? I stick my hand in and pull out a "mini churro" looking "Churroz". Visually, the makers of Churros, Crown, has done a good job of capturing it's physical likeness. I take a bite and the initial crunch tells me the first difference between this snack and the real deal; "Real churros don't crunch like this!" Churros (the real snack, not this product being reviewed) sometimes does have a crunch on the outside from being fried, but then it has a softer texture beyond that. I know its a lot to ask for from a prepackaged snack, but it's one of my favorite characteristics of a real churro.

Flavor-wise, it taste very similiar to the fried snack it tries to emulate. Actually it reminds me of a cereal here in the states, Cinnamon Toast Crunch. As I pickup a few more to snack on, it dawn on me that not only does it taste like that cereal, but it tastes like another Korean snack I've reviewed not too long ago, Haitai's Sindangdong Tteaokbokki, sans the heat and red coloring. The crunch and sweetness are very similiar. Even the shapes aren't too off either.

If only it was like a churro...more

The Sweet:
Cinnamon, sugar...even when it's bad, how bad is it really?

The Bitter:
Doesn't bring anything new to the crowded snack arena

Conclusion:
Starting with a foundation of sugar and cinnamon is a pretty strong base to start with, but it's where you take it from there that really determines how strong of an impression that snack makes, especially when you already have a proven formula like churros to model your product after. Although Crown's Churroz captures a big part of the taste of what it's like to eat the real thing, where it takes a steep dip in that experience is it's choice to go with a crunchy texture. Part of the joy for me of eating a real churro is that soft, chewy texture. It's such a big missing component for me in this snack that it makes me want the real thing more....and isn't the whole point of a snack like this is to fill that snack gap, not make you long for the genuine item more?

Video of the Week

And the best burger goes to....

Well....technically, it's not really a video. It's more of a great chart The Chicago Tribune put together rating the best burger from various burger chains around the States. It even calculates how fancy or not fancy the burger is. I know what I'm having for lunch this week.

Lotte Toppoki Snack

That's one big mouth dog

The Attraction

Maybe it was the red shiny dog on the outside of the packaging or it was the unusual amount of hits I got from people checking these dukbokki snacks I previously reviewed. Anyway, I thought it was fine time to try see what a spicy version of what that snack might taste like. 

The Review:
I must apologize; I know I've been doing a lot of Asian snacks lately, but it's been awhile since I found a snack that caught my interest at the local supermarket. (I can see my friend Gabby's eyes roll as she sees this product. I'll work harder to throw some more diversity to my snack reviews, OK, damnit?!

I open this bag and immediately there is a sweet / fried smell creeping out of the bag. It's almost as subtle as that shiny red dog on the outside. I take a peek inside and I see these "chips' that look like mini-churros or penne. Interesting. hopefully they taste like dry, uncooked pasta.

I pick a lucky toppoki from the bag and give it a bite. There is a nice crunch and as expected, there is a sweet flavor that comes through first and at the very end...a slight spiciness.

Pasta time

"What!? That's it?! That's the 'Crazy' heat indicated on the outside of the bag?!"

I must have become the Superman of spicy snacks if that was considered spicy. I plop down in front of my computer and start to form my review while continuing to munch on these snacks.....next thing I notice is about 7-10 pieces later the heat has built to the point where I'm starting to salivate a good amount. That is what is tricky about the spicy-sweet combo....sometimes it just sneaks up on.

The heat seems to build steadily at about 10% increments until it gets to the point where your brain finally tells you, "Hey, this is sorta spicy, homey"

I'm a hottie (when I'm with my friends)

The Sweet:
Great snack if you like a sweet / spicy mix

The Bitter:
Need to string a bunch of these together to start feeling the Bern, burn.

Conclusion:
If the heat you were getting from the other Korean style snacks like this wasn't doing it for you, start munching on a few of these and it's only a matter of time before your mouth starts sweating. It's actually remarkably similiar tasting to other dukbokki / toppoki snacks, but this item punches up the heat about twice that of other similiar products I have tried.....all doing it while it's slightly sweet flavor gives you a false sense of security. This is like that date you meet on Craigslist that joins you for dinner, have great conversation with, only to have them ruffie you and take your watch later; it's stealthy, but good.

Video of the Week 

How quickly can we get to Shanghai?

Now, I don't know the movie Tron terribly well, however, the visuals are quite memorable. That's why without even seeing the movie or it's sequel, I would consider flying to Shanghai to check out this ride in the Disneyland over there. That and check out it's skyline and eat like a beast. Did I mention the food?

Crown Caramel Maple Corn

Here we go again!

The Attraction

A few weeks ago, I reviewed another Crown product called "Big Caramel Corn Choco", and to my surprise, despite it's "unusual"appearance, I fell in love with that product. I have since purchased that snack multiple times, so it was only natural when Crown had a new Caramel Maple Corn offering, I was hot to try it out.

The Review:
The expectations were high when I brought this sucker home. I will say that the color difference really made a big impact in the way I viewed this snack. Seeing the chocolate version really turned my stomach, but the lighter color appearance of these corn puffs seemed way more palatable.

They look tiny 3/4 donuts

I crack open the bag and and sure enough, the scent of maple syrup fills the air. This was very similiar to the Choco version of this snack. This is looking good. I pickup a corn puff and take a bite.

Much like the first version I sampled, there is a tremendous crunch with my initial bite and as the flavor profile takes shape, the maple syrup essence comes screaming through. There is nothing subtle about these flavors. "Hi, I'm maple syrup flavor! What's your name, fool!?"

This could spell trouble!

The Sweet:
Crown just keeps on hitting it's stride, flavor-wise

The Bitter:
It's on the sweeter side, but's it's still damn good.

Conclusion:
Why should I have ever doubted this? With the amount that I loved the chocolate flavored version of this snack, was there anyway I wouldn't have enjoyed this maple syrup version? On it's own, it's solid and this review isn't about comparing the two against each other, but...

..if you had to twist my arm, the chocolate version is still the winner, but if Crown keeps cranking out new flavors, I will gladly be there to try them out in hopes of finding a new love.

Video of the Week 
Working on it!

Haitai Calbee Honey Butter Chip

I'll be home for Christmas!

The Attraction

Does any avid reader of this blog really need the reason as to why I'm reviewing this baby? For those of you that aren't, these are the original snack chips that started the Honey Butter craze in S. Korea. (Here's a summary). The time......has come.

The Review:
I've been searching high and low in the Korean markets around here in the New York area to see if I could locate a bag of these chips to complete my snack trifecta as I have previously have reviewed Haitai's version of the chip, Honey Tong Tong and Calbee's version of the Honey Butter Chips. I really needed to review the original and collaborative version between the two snack manufacturers to reach a final verdict. Although I've struck out here in the States, this is where my pal Hayley comes in to save the day.

She was heading over to S. Korea to visit her family and said she would hook me up if she came across it. In my mind, I had imagined my poor friend Hayley going to every store in S. Korea looking for these chips, striking back alley deals to get the next shipment, rerouting delivery trucks, etc. Unfortunately, it wasn't anything as dramatic as that. She said she walked into a convenience store and there they were. OK, not as cloak and dagger as I had hoped, but I really appreciate her getting me these. Thanks Hayley!

After snapping a few of the obligatory photos, I carefully tear open the bag to see what these K-Pop stars were going crazy about. As I open the bag, like the other two competitors, the smell of butter and sweetness comes pouring out. Ah...it's all coming back to me; that time when I reviewed those other honey butter chip offerings, but will these taste THAT different? Let's not waste another moment...

I pickup a chip and take a bite.

The sweetness of the honey starts the ride, but as the sweetness hits a crescendo, the slight saltiness of the butter slices through the sugar and brings the flavor back down to earth as the flavor ride draws to a close. It leaves your mouth and mind wanting to have another one to see if what just happened was real. Usually most snacks go the savory or sweet route exclusively, but these honey butter chips throw a curve ball with it's unique and roller-coaster like flavor combination. OK, maybe I'll have a couple more to be sure.

Go towards the light!

The Sweet:

Great sweet and savory mix, both very subtle.

The Bitter:
Can't seem to be able to get these in the States.

Could this possibly live up to the hype?

Conclusion:
Do these live up to the hype? I really don't think any snack can after getting so much publicity in Asia, but these are tasty. It's very unique in it's flavor profile and I can certainly see why people would be a fan; whereas many snacks play it straight, either savory or sweet, these Honey Butter chips are schizophrenic and keeps your taste buds off-balance.

As to how these original Honey Butter Chips compare to the solo efforts from Haitai and Calbee, it seems like the perfect compromise between the two snack makers. After having all three products, I would guess that the flavor of these original Honey Butter chips are from Haitai's recipe as it seems very similar in their refined flavor and not as strong as Calbee's version. The chip or the method of applying the flavor onto the chip maybe Calbee's contribution to this joint effort, as Haitai's snack vessel to distribute their solo Honey Butter flavor is a thicker, triangular shrimp-like chip, as opposed to Calbee's conventional and more streamlined potato chip.

This is all speculation, by the way, but it certainly sounds a lot more poetic this way, doesn't it?

Like Jagger / Richards and Lennon / McCartney, some collaborations are just magical and are so special because jointly they could accomplish what they just could not do so alone. So is the case with these Haitai / Calbee Honey Butter Chips. Haitai is the Ying to Calbee's Yang, and although individually they can create great products, sometimes, even in the snack world, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Video Website of the Week
As the year draws to a close, this week I will be sharing Noisey's 50 Best Albums of the year. Other than listening to #3, I can't say I've heard of any of the other albums. Perhaps it'll only be a matter of time before I tell kids to "keep that racket down" and that music now is "crap" compared to when I was a kid. Oh, how cruel Father time can be...

You know you are old when you've
heard of only four of the artist on the list

Man Mi Bakery's Wal-Nuggets

Man Mi Bakery's Wal-Nuggets

It was just another ordinary day at lunch when all of a sudden my friend Grace whips out a container that she wants me to try.


"Wal-Nuggets?" I read on the box
"Yes. It has a weird name, but it's good!" she replied


The Attraction
It was free, it was in front of me and I was curious.

The Review
Upon first inspection, these "nuggets" remind me of these other freshly made pastries that I've had in the past that are usually filled with strawberry cream inside and are also freshly made. The pattern on the pastry is that of a shell of a walnut, which the product cleverly derived it's name from. The first bite into the cushiony pastry reveals a red bean paste filling with (surprise) some walnuts pieces inside. The walnut pieces actually does a nice job breaking up the consistency of the nugget by adding some resistance to the filling and presents a nice contrast to the smooth, creamy bean paste (think crunchy peanut butter).

The Sweet
A soft, spongy exterior that gives way to a not too sweet red bean paste interior makes the Wal-Nugget an easy snack to enjoy. I'm not a big fan of red bean, but the filling with the addition of some walnuts bits had just the right consistency and it wasn't too long before the container was empty. For about $2-$3 a box, this snack won't break your snack bank.

The Bitter
You have to be at least OK with red bean paste. In addition, I believed many other Korean bakeries offer a similar product, but this particular version can only be purchased at Man Mi Bakery in Flushing, New York.

I think the "make it or break it" for any food item is if you would purchase the item if you just so happen to come across it. There are some items that you would go out of your way to have and others that you would clearly avoid, but as in life, not everything in the food universe is that black and white. Where does the Wal-Nugget fall in the wide spectrum of gray that spans between the two? The white space that I call my grocery basket.

Korean Snack

I loved the idea that I had no preconceived notion as to what this may or may not taste like. I don't even know what the dish is that the snack is trying to emulate, so I didn't have a frame of reference to say whether it succeeded in making it taste like the item or not. When was the last time you ate something without any idea what it may taste like at all? 

The Attraction
It's looks sort of like Italian ziti, but with an egg in it. Portable ziti, in a bag? OK, count me in! It also didn't hurt that there was absolutely no English on the bag other than "SO HOT" in caps.

The Review
First, when I cracked the bag open, it had a slightly sweet smell. Yes, that was my first thought too, sweet? I was definitely not expecting that. Ziti isn't sweet, but then again, this wasn't suppose to be like ziti. I take my first bite and in addition to being greeted with a nice crunch, I start to think that the smell should have tipped me off. It was sweet! It reminded me of a cereal I've had before, perhaps Sugar Smacks. Then as I come to the tail end of consuming my first bite, I get a hit of the heat. I think my brain was confused by this combination; sweet and spicy? What is this? It wasn't a punch in the face of fire, rather it was more of like a firm tap on the shoulder that said, "I ain't no cereal, fool!" I had to have another piece to confirm that what I just tasted was real.

The Sweet
From the crunch to the slightly sweetness to the spiciness, this was a pretty perfect balance. The sweet and spicy combination worked well. It wasn't too much of one or the other. Neither one was over the top and dominated the other. Even now as I try to imagine that flavor, it's difficult to recreate; I can imagine the cereal taste of it, but when I try to imagine the spiciness, my mind tends to drift into a savory spicy and that's not it at all. It's a sweet spicy.

The Bitter
If there is a downside, it would be that the packaging has no english on it. Some might say that since the product is from Korea and probably intended for Koreans, that there's no need for it. Other than that, it's hard to find something to complain about.

I have no idea if this product taste like what it suppose to taste like in comparison to the real dish it is trying to capture the essence of, but what I do know is that I found myself eating one and then another and then another. That says about all you need to know about what I think about this snack.