Tokyo Snack Review

The Japanese enjoy a good snack and there are many innovative and intriguing things on offer. I’m going to review the ones I sample.

TOKYO SNACK REVIEW – BEVERAGE SPECIAL!

Mitsuya Cider

• PRICE: Y150

• REVIEW: “But Kieran,” I hear you say. “You don’t drink.” Well, there’s no alcohol in this. I have absolutely no idea why it’s called “Cider” when it’s actually a very nice lemon-ish/lime-ish soft drink. I saw it described as “like Sprite, but softer” and I think that’s pretty accurate. I like this stuff a lot.

• VERDICT: Epic Beverage Win!

Honey’s Bar – Strawberry & Honey Smoothie

• PRICE: Varies, but a large one is Y360

• REVIEW: Situated on platforms 15/16 in Shinjuku JR station is Honey’s Bar…

They sell various fruit smoothies containing a generous dollop of honey. These are very nice. Well, the strawberry one is; I’ve had that twice now. Recommended.

• VERDICT: Beverage Win!

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Smoked Cheese

• PRICE: Can’t remember, but it’s not important; I won’t be buying more.

• REVIEW: As a big fan of sausage-shaped Austrian smoked cheese, I was excited to try a miniature version. I wish I hadn’t. Tough, tasteless and made my fridge smell of bacon. Avoid.

• VERDICT: Epic Snack Fail.

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Anna Miller’s Takeaway Pecan Pie

Check the fancy packaging…

• PRICE: Normally Y583, but if you get there within about an hour of closing, they knock 30% off to sell the day’s stock, so this was Y404.

• REVIEW: It’s expensive, but you get a pretty big slice of pie for your money and you get a free plastic fork too. The main goop on the pastry is more in line with treacle tart than the traditional pecan mixture, then there’s the usual pecan stuff on top. It’s pretty rich and that combined with size meant it took me the best part of an hour on and off to get through. It is really nice though.

• VERDICT: Snack Win.

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Apple Rolls

>no picture<

• PRICE: I forget. No more than Y200 though.

• REVIEW: Bland cakey bit and nowhere near enough apple.

• VERDICT: Snack Fail.

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Meiji Macadamia

• PRICE: Y210

• REVIEW: “King of nuts” indeed. Nice dark chocolate wrapped around generous-sized pieces of macadamia nut. The only downside is that you only get ten in a box.

• VERDICT: Snack Win.

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Apple & Raisin Croissant-y Thing

• PRICE: Y126

• REVIEW: In a word: disappointing. The croissant bit was OK, if a little dry, but the apple and raisins were limited to the two small seams you see in the picture. Cheap and OK in a pinch.

• VERDICT: Snack Indifference.

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“American Soft” Chocolate Chunk & Brazil Nut Cookies

• PRICE: Around Y200

• REVIEW: “CHEWING!” it says in big letters on the bit of packaging I’ve torn off. Yes, you do indeed have to to some chewing. You only get four and they’re not as big as you might hope, but they’re soft, tasty and don’t skimp in the chocolate and nut.

• VERDICT: Snack Win.

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Melon & Chocolate Chip Cake

• PRICE: Y116

• REVIEW: I’ll admit to cheating a little here: I know theses are nice as I had them on my last trip. They’re big (roughly the size of a Big Mac, just shorter and wider), cheap, tasty and filling. They don’t seem to be sold in that many places, so I tend to grab them when I see them. Easily Top Snack so far.

• VERDICT: Epic Snack Win!

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