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 May 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.
Chicken Ramen
I was excited because this ramen had an indentation specifically for an egg to sit when you pour over water to cook the ramen, only the egg stayed not cooked and the ramen wasn't done all the way either after the three minute cooking time. This would have been a better ramen to cook in the pot of boiling water rather than pouring the ramen over the bowl.
Egg Chicken Shoyu Ramen
This was the winner of the three ramen this month. It had a light and flavorful broth and the noodles were really lovely. I had a friend with me to taste test these ramens, and she described it as “looks like a $0.50 ramen, tastes like a $3 ramen.” I would say that is a fair assessment.
Butamen Shoyu Ramen
Okay, I don't know what happened here but something went wrong. The container for this is smaller than a standard ramen, so once I added to water there wasn't any room for anything else. After the ramen cooked I poured it into a bowl and mixed in the seasoning packet and it turned into this. It did not taste pleasant and I don't know why it looks like curdled milk.
Chicken Ramen Flavored Potato Sticks
Ehh. These were a bit mild flavored and the texture was light and airy. Nothing about these really wowed me.
Yogurt Rusk
I was worried when I saw the description talk about “refreshing sourness,” but there wasn't anything sour about these at all. These tasted essentially like softer white chocolate rice crispy treats, and I really enjoyed them.
Cheese Manju
These had a funk in the aroma that I couldn't get behind, and that funk translated to the taste as well. This bread arrived a little smushed, and I think the bread part would have been pleasant if there wasn't the funky cheese inside of it.
Baby Stay Yakisoba
These looked like baby pretzels and tasted like a less dense raw ramen noodle. These were pleasant and had a nice crunch.
Apple Ripping Gummy
I liked these! They ripped wonderfully and reminded me of a Kit-Kat bar in that regard, but the juicy apple taste was bright and refreshing. These are incredibly soft so there isn't much to the texture, and I am happy that they are individually packed so I don't have to worry about them going stale.
Yan Yan Chocolate Cream Biscuit Sticks
This is like a build your own pocky! You take the biscuit stick, dip it in chocolate, and then dip it in sprinkles. These are fun, but I am not a big fan of chocolate pocky so this ultimately didn't do it for me.
The Verdict: I enjoyed most of the snacks included this month, but the ramens were misses. I would love to snatch up more of the apple ripping gummies and yogurt rusks, and those are totally unique snacks I would not have been able to try if it weren't for this box. That's one of the reasons I really enjoy this subscription, even if the snacks are misses!
To Wrap Up:
Can I still get this box if I sign up today? Yes, this looks to still be available here!
Value Breakdown: At $24.50 for this box you are paying $2.72 per item.
Check out all of our ZenPop reviews and more stationery reviews in the Paper and Stationery Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What do you think of this month's ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.