Universal Yums is a snack subscription box that sends out snacks and candies from a different country each month. The contents of the boxes change each month as they highlight the best snacks from each featured country, but you can always expect a mix of flavors: salty, sweet, spicy, fruity, and more. Only authentic snacks from the featured country are included in this box. Choose from the Yum Box for $17.00 per month, the Yum Yum Box for $29.00 per month, or the Super Yum Box for $45.00 per month. (You also have the option to save by purchasing a 3,6-, or 12-month plan.)
This review is of the Yum Yum box, which is $29.00 per month.
Author's Note: The cost of this box increased last year, but now has gone back to the original prices!
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
While in the midst of summer vacation, it is strange having an entire box of Universal Yums to ourselves, as I generally share the snacks with my students. However, because the boys have had camp everyday this week, my school popularity is still holding steady since the kids have been toting baggies of Indonesian treats in their lunch pails. Not only is this subscription a wonderful family experience, but it's educational too! Keep the treats for yourself or share, either way, you are sure to love this box! Read below to find out what we discovered this month.
What's Inside the Box
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Each and every month we receive a fun, illustrated map that shows where our Yums are coming from. This month we received a map of Indonesia packed with fun trivia. The back side hosts the usual Yum Scoreboard and scavenger hunt. Also included in this box is a helpful pamphlet that guides you through a typical day in the Indonesia via trivia, recipes, photography, and activities. Delicious AND educational!
Fried Noodle Chips - Buy a pack of 2 for $5.20
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I honestly need more sweet and spicy noodle flavoring in my life, or at least more of these chips. Crispy and crunchy like Lay's, these ruffled potato chips have the most delicious sweet and spicy flavoring to them. With heavy notes of onion, garlic, soy sauce, and chili paste, these chips are fantastic by themselves, but even more enticing with a bit of Top the Tater. This small bag was clutch in our household, and the boys were arguing how best to split these up for their lunch box snacks. Good thing we just bought a kitchen scale!
Choco Coconut Wafer - Buy a pack of 12 for $6.00
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Universal Yums doesn't typically send chocolate treats in the summer months in fear of melting, so I was really excited to see this chocolate wafer coated in coconut included. My grandma always had wafers available when we went to visit, but hers surely weren't as exciting as this! With delicious nutty coconut on top of a light chocolate layer, these wafers are taken to the next level and ended up being my second fave this month. What did the kids think, do you ask? Welp, mama liked this snack so much she maybe accidentally gobbled it up before anyone else could even have a taste. Whoops!
Durian & Cheese Wafer Roll - Buy a pack of 20 for $14.00
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After reading the included description for this Durian & Cheese Wafer Roll, I wasn't quite sure I wanted to try it. Durian is a fruit that has been compared to stinky cheese. Because of its odor, apparently some businesses will forbid customers from walking in with it. Hmmm... I read this to my kids and they were instantly out, but I gave it a try. Though a little pungent, the tameness of the wafer and cheese left this treat edible, though definitely not my favorite. What did you think of this snack?
Sugar Coated Coffee Cookies - Buy a pack of 4 for $4.40
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Interestingly enough, though this box is from "Indonesia" we received this package of sugar coated coffee cookies that has "Italian Moment" written on label. This particular snack was include because the word "java" comes from Indonesia, where most of the world's coffee was grown during the 1700s. Today, this island is still known for their coffee, which because of the cultivation time is more mellow and less acidic than regular coffee. If you are a coffee drinker, you will definitely like these cookies. They are comparable to a thin graham cracker in size and texture, but with a light delicious coffee addition. Paired with a nice sprinkle of sugar on the top, these crunchy cookies are perfect when paired with a glass of milk, and sure didn't last long in our house!
Melon & Peach Yogurt Gummies - Buy a pack of 6 for $5.40
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Gummies are one of the boys' favorites treats, so they were excited to try these melon and peach yogurt flavored ones. Coupled with yogurt, these bottle shaped gummies have a creamier taste than others and are very, very fruity. With real fruit flavors, these don't have a fake flavor, and are really delish.
Sweet Corn Tortilla Chips - Buy a pack of 3 for $4.80
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Charlie is obsessed with corn, so you can imagine his excitement when he discovered this bag of sweet corn tortilla chips. With a roasted corn flavor, these traditional chips are given a zing of flavor that we all really enjoyed. Being delicious by themselves, these also are tasty when paired with Fritos Jalapeño cheese dip for a sweet and spicy combo. Either way, these were a definite winner and one my kids want more of.
Choco Banana Wafer Rolls - Buy a pack of 4 for $4.40
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Upon reading our handy dandy pamphlet, I learned that Indonesia is home to over 300 unique varieties of bananas. To highlight this fact, we received a nice-sized package of chocolate banana wafer rolls. I like bananas, but usually in the form of bread with lots of walnuts. I tend to prefer eating them plain while a bit on the green side and HATE banana-flavored taffy. That being said, these were pretty dang good. I found the wafer taste and texture to remind me of a Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Wafer. The addition of banana was welcomed - it spruced up the flavor and tasted natural, not artificial. All in all, we thought these were pretty dang good.
Frosted Choco Cheese Crackers - Buy a pack of 16 for $4.80
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Check out these jazzy little packages. Looking similar to a Pop-Tart, these are actually cheese crackers with cocoa sprinkles. Cheese and cocoa sprinkles?! Hmmm.....how did this pair? Honestly, pretty darn well. The bottom of the cracker almost has the same texture as a saltine with a glistening sugar sprinkle paired with a very slight hint of cheese. Nothing too crazy and drastic, but of a subtle savory note that completes the snack.
Milky Melon Chews - Buy a pack of 2 for $4.80
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Fruity, creamy, and chewy, these melon flavored chews are delicious in this summer heat. The combination of milk and fruit is delicious and not something found all that often in USA candy. While small in size, we received a big bag which the kids split up and brought to camp. The kids raved about them, and are wondering if we can buy more in the Yum Shop. Yay!
Indonesian Fried Rice Seasoning - 3-pack is out of stock at time of publication
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The last item we received was an Indonesian Fried Rice Seasoning packet. This seasoning puts a sweet and spicy twist onto any recipe. It can be used with pretty much any protein or vegetable, and is Indonesia's spicy national dish. We literally had a beef fried rice for lunch today, so I am saving this for next week, but am looking forward to see how it pairs with pheasant. I will keep you posted!
The Verdict
Universal Yums is one of our favorite subscriptions of all time, and this box curation was pretty solid. Overall we really enjoyed the mix of savory and sweet snacks, though are hoping for less cheese-infused snacks next month. I also am really excited about the inclusion of the seasoning packet, as it allows us to create a dinner instead of just a snack. While this box was darn tasty, it also created an enjoyable and educational experience for my family. We already can't wait to see what's in store for August. Where do you think we will be headed next?
Scorecard Picks:
- Favorite: Fried Noodle Chips
- Runner-Up: Choco Coconut Wafer
- Worst Yum: Sweet Corn Tortilla Chips
- Most Unusual: Frosted Choco Cheese Crackers
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, as of this review's publication, if you sign up now you can choose to receive the Turkey or Indonesia box.
Value Breakdown: This box is $29.00 per month (including shipping). I received 11 individually wrapped snacks which average out to $2.64 per item.
Which Universal Yums snack would you most like to try?
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