Rich Romance - February 2024
Every year when the February box is being put together, our team can’t help but think of the modern tradition of giving chocolate on valentine's day. In Japan, it’s common for girls to give chocolate to their person of interest, for then to receive chocolate in return on “white day” (March 14th) where those who received chocolate give something back. Don’t worry, with ZenPop you receive a box with chocolate snacks, and in march, you receive another box! No need to send anything back.
Super Triple Buta Shoyu Ramen from Acecook
Allergens: wheat, dairy, sesame, soy, pork Cooking time: 3 minutes How to cook: 1. Remove half of the lid and take out three bags. 2. Open dried ingredients and powder soup bags over the noodles, pour boiling water up to the indicated line, and cover. 3, After 3 minutes, add seasoning oil, loosen the noodles, stir well, and enjoy. Indulge in Acecook's "Super Cup 1.5x Triple Pork Soy Sauce Ramen," a heartwarming feast celebrating its 35th anniversary. This bowl brims with a unique "triple pork" blend of pork fat, black pork extract, and pork belly chashu. Relish the rich pork bone soy sauce soup, amplified by a generous lard-based oil and succulent pork belly chashu, for a pork-packed experience. Perfect for warming up from within, each bite delivers the sumptuous sweetness of pork fat, balanced by the robustness of black pork extract and soy sauce.
Sakusaku Kakugiri Zeitaku Ringo from Pokka Sapporo Food
Allergens: apple Did you know fruit is quite pricey in Japan? Even in regular supermarkets, one or two apples can easily hit a price of 7-8 dollars. It is then no wonder this apple juice with diced apple pulp is named “Luxurious crispy diced apple”. It’s created to give you that beautiful sensation when you bite into a fresh big beautiful apple.
Potato Chips Zeitaku Chocolat from Calbee
Allergens: dairy, soy Processed in a facility that also processes egg, wheat, shrimp, and crab Another luxurious product or “zeitakuna” as it’s called in Japanese. This is exactly what it looks like, chocolate dripped over potato crisps. To live up to the luxury name, the salt is mainly sourced from Lorraine in France, and the crisps are jagged in order to soak up as much chocolate and flavor as possible. The ultimate sweet,salty, crispy experience.
Chip Star S Wonder flavor from YBC
Allergens: soy, pork Processed in a facility that also processes shrimp, crab, wheat, egg, and dairy Wahoo, it’s a’me, Chip Star! While grabbing a super star in Mario makes you invincible, eating a tube of chip star makes you, well, at least satisfied and happy! This collaboration item with Nintendo on their new “Super Mario Wonder” game, gives you a look into Japanese product marketing as it has a special “Wonder Flavor”, (which may or may not be curry flavor, don’t tell YBC you heard it from us).
Ghana Noukou Nama Chocolate Houjun Milk from Lotte
Allergens: dairy, soy Processed in a facility that also processes egg and wheat *The alcohol is contained in this product This is the team's favorite chocolate available in stores at the time of writing. Our procurement team referred to it as “department store level chocolate” but for a more reasonable price. After all having a taste, there were no objections, it’s a multilayered treat, rich with cocoa and a melty middle that does not get boring with time. Department stores can keep their expensive chocolate!
Seiza Choco from Yaokin
Allergens: wheat, dairy, soy Processed in a facility that also processes egg, peanuts, shrimp, beef, chicken, pork, and apple This cookie and chocolate snack comes with cute zodiac characters. Here are the names in Japanese: Aries (牡羊座, Ohitsuji-za), Taurus (牡牛座, Oushi-za), Gemini (双子座, Futago-za), Cancer (蟹座, Kani-za), Leo (獅子座, Shishi-za), Virgo (乙女座, Otome-za), Libra (天秤座, Tenbin-za), Scorpio (蠍座, Sasori-za), Sagittarius (射手座, Ite-za), Capricorn (山羊座, Yagi-za), Aquarius (水瓶座, Mizugame-za), Pisces (魚座, Uo-za)
Honey Butter Tarou from Kadou
Allergens: wheat, dairy, soy Processed in a facility that also processes chicken Now why is the mascot for this corn snack a king with lots of fancy clothes and property? Well, let’s consider the facts. He is made of corn, and the snack is flavored with honey and butter. Now what does corn, honey and butter all have in common with kings? Well, they’re rich! Get it? It’s not just a funny wordplay, the snack truly has a rich flavor all with a satisfying crisp.
Aji Cheese from Yamato
Allergens: wheat, dairy Processed in a facility that also processes egg, dairy, soy, and shrimp These cheesy puffs have been crunched and enjoyed by the Japanese for decades. It’s a nostalgic snack all generations can relate to, and now it’s your turn to join the fun! The name Aji, means flavor, so it couldn’t be a more straightforward honest snack when it comes to what it promises you on the inside.
Chee-ZACK from Yaokin
Allergens: dairy, wheat Cool name aside, this cheesy snack provides not just that cheesy crisp we all crave, it also has a level of creaminess you don’t regularly find in cheese snacks like this. And topped with the cat wearing sunnies, is there really anything stopping you from trying these out?
Soba Meshi from Yaokin
Allergens: wheat, soy, shrimp, egg You may have heard about Yakisoba, but have you heard about Soba Meshi? It’s essentially a combination of two dishes, using the rice of one and the soba noodles of another to create a unique fried platter. This snack emulates the texture and flavor with puffed rice, snacks and flavor sauce!
Kaizoku Kinka Choco from Yaokin
Allergens: dairy, soy Processed in a facility that also processes wheat, egg, peanuts, and walnuts Is it real pirate gold? Only one way to find out, go ahead, bite into it! Lately the pirate manga/anime “One Piece” has recently bloomed (more) thanks to a live-action Netflix adaptation, as well as the main story reaching some big story climaxes. While this coin may not be the one piece, perhaps it’ll inspire you to seek out your treasure?
Ichigo Short Choco from Tanseidou
Allergens: dairy, soy Ever wanted strawberry shortcake but then changed your mind for chocolate instead? Well, here you get the aesthetic of a japanese “Ichigo Shortcake” as they say here, but all the flavor of a strawberry chocolate chunk. It’s small but it’s feature packed, it even comes with a fortune telling under the lid! Use a translation app on your phone to read it, or practice your Japanese.
Yakiniku-san Tarou from Kadou
Allergens: wheat, squid, soy A jerky snack inspired by the aromas of a “Yakiniku” steak house. In Japan it’s common to go out for drinks after work, and while not the cheapest option, yakiniku is a popular option. Friends and co-workers alike gather to enjoy a well deserved rest, while grilling their own slices of meat. While not fried in front of you, this jerky has a delightful smokey flavor. Close your eyes and imagine the Friday night kampai! (cheers).
Dagashies Combo
Ramen-ya-san Tarou from Kadou Allergens: wheat, dairy, soy This snack packs a punch, literally! It’s a ramen snack with a boxer on the design that say’s “umai” which means “tasty”! Do not worry though, the flavor is not “boxer broth” it’s chicken flavor (Though they do say everything tastes like chicken…). Grape Soda Gummy from Yaokin Allergens: gelatin How cute is this grape soda flavored gummy? It’s got fizz on the outside to emulate the soda-ness, it’s not just the shape you see? Grape flavor in Japan is modeled after the kyoho grape, so if you think it tastes different from the grapes you know, it’s because it’s a different fruit entirely! Marshllow from Yaokin Allergens: gelatin Processed in a facility that also processes wheat, egg, dairy, and peanuts Settle down ghostbusters fans, it’s a different marshmallow man on the pack. This cutie goes by “Mashuroo” is tiny, friendly and has a multicolored twisted snack for you! Eat up and enjoy or else Mashuroo will be sad! What’s that? You don’t care about Mashuroo’s feelings? And you’ll only recognize their existence the moment before you tear open the pack? And once the snack is swallowed, Mashuroo will fade from your mind forever? … Anyways, it’s got a nice soft texture and tastes great to coffee! Felix Gum from Marukawa seika Before Mickey Mouse, there was Felix the Cat. While on the big screens around the world, Mickey is still very present and Felix has faded from memory, much like a bubblegum you’ll find wrapped inside this package. However, just like this gum is full of flavor the moment you chew it, Felix was an icon of the silent film era who is largely known as the first animated moviestar. And just as Felix lives on forever in dagashi wrappers like this one, so will the strawberry flavor live on in your memory.
Dagashies Combo 2
Rilakkuma Gummy Aka-ringo/ Ao-ringo from Tanseidou Allergens: gelatin, soy, apple You may recognize Rilakkuma but perhaps not know why he’s famous? Well, you’re not alone, like many of the Sanrio characters, Rilakkuma became famous by being a cute, relaxed bear. Imagine how nice that is, becoming internationally recognized just by being… chill? Perhaps if you relax hard enough, one day, it’ll be your face that sticks on an apple flavored gummy? Fruit Candy from Kikko seika Many people dream back to the good old days as we grow. The Japanese culture of “Dagashi”, nostalgic candies that persist through the generations help connect young and old to memories that may have faded without the flavor to remind you of that time. This candy is reminiscent of those big glass jars from the candy stores of the 60’s. They come in a variety of colors and flavors, so it’s fun to see which one you get.
