ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack is a monthly subscription from Zenmarket that sends unique Japanese ramen + sweets handpicked by their staff in Japan.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack
The Subscription Box: ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack
The Cost: $24.50 a box with free worldwide shipping. Save with longer commitments.
The Products: 2-3 variations of noodles and 6-8 Japanese snacks, candies, or goodies
Ships to: Worldwide
ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack April 2018 Review
This box comes with an info sheet that explains everything included, and I really appreciate having the English translation describing what I was I was about to eat. This month talked about how April is the time of cherry blossoms blooming, the school year starting, and new employees beginning at new jobs in Japan, which is why this months theme is “Fresh Starts.”
Kagoshima Chicken Shoyu Ramen
I forgot to take a picture of these when I was eating them for lunch, but I really liked them! As I eat more types of ramen I am learning that I really like Shoyu ramen, and this ramen had great noodles, too. This would have been perfect with a soft boiled egg and some green onions.
Suan La Tang Noodles
This ramen is a hot and sour soup with very thin noodles, and I wasn't the biggest fan. I prefer my noodles to have a little more heft, and these were very thin. I am not normally a hot and sour soup person, but the broth wasn't unpleasant. This is a type of ramen I have never tried before, so I am happy that I got to experience it.
Fettuccine Gummy in Fruit Punch
These noodle gummies were really chewy, and I enjoyed the texture of the sugar coating. These definitely tasted fruity, but I don't think they tasted like the American fruit punch flavor I am used to. Now I want to try the Japanese fruit punch!
Anpanman Coro Coro Cookies
I wasn't a big fan of these. These mini cookies tasted like the biscuit part of a pocky, but it lacked sweetness since there was no flavor coating. The faces on the cookies were cute, though!
Harvest Rich Matcha Sandwich Cookies
The matcha flavor in these cookies is very strong, so the flavor was very earthy and not very sweet. I liked the cookie part, but the filling was almost too earthy for me. Definitely a unique snack I was happy to try, however!
Little Gang Popping Candy
Hands down, these were my favorite of the bunch. These are just like Pop-Rocks, only the popping is stronger than the American version. I could feel popping at the back of my throat for a solid thirty seconds after swallowing, and it was delightful.
Grilled Corn Snack
I like corn, so this corn snack was pleasant. There was a satisfying crunch in every bite, and since I like the taste of corn I liked the taste of these. I would buy these if I saw them in a store.
Burning Cola Gummy
These are… interesting. They are cola-flavored gummies that have a fat burning compound in them. They are described as a candy that can help you lose weight as you eat them. These were a hard-chew kind of gummy, and after you start eating them the cola flavor fades to something that is almost bitter. I didn't like these.
Puchi Basil Salt Rice Cracker
These rice crackers are like very dense mini rice cakes. I am not a rice cake fan, so these weren't my snack of choice. As I chewed they became powdery, and I needed water after eating one. I think if you like rice cakes, however, you would enjoy these. The basil flavor was a unique twist, too.
The Verdict: A lot of the snacks in this months box were personal misses for me, but I am not mad about it. Part of the fun of this subscription is trying things from another country I otherwise would have never been exposed to. The popping candy was awesome, and I would love to get my hand on more. I am excited to see what next month has to offer because the world of Japanese snacks is vast and I want to try them all.
To Wrap Up:
Can I still get this box if I sign up today? No, you will receive the May box. Check out a snack preview here!
Value Breakdown: At $24.50 for this box you are paying $2.72 per item.
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