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ZenPop Japanese Sweets + Ramen Mix Pack Review – August 2018

Jessica Hapak
ByJessica HapakSep 1, 2018 | 3 comments

Zenpop box

ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack
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ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack is a monthly subscription from Zenmarket that sends unique Japanese ramen + sweets handpicked by their staff in Japan.

Zenpop open box

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.)

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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 August 2018 Review

Zenpop info sheet 2 Zenpop info sheet

This box comes with an info sheet that explains everything included! This month’s box has an overall energy drink theme.

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Spicy Shio Tonkatsu Ramen

This ramen was a mashup of tonkatsu ramen and shio (salt) ramen, and the marriage of the two made for a very delicious broth. There was a hint of gochujang that supplied an occasional note of heat, but I wouldn't really classify these as spicy. The broth was excellent but I found the noodles to be thin, very soft, and a bit bland.

Zenpop traditional 1 Zenpop traditional 2

CupStar Tonkatsu Ramen

This is the classic Tonkatsu ramen and it was packed with flavor! It actually had some small pieces of dried pork, and I thought the broth was creamy and super flavorful. The noodles in these were the only disappointment, as they were thin and very soft.

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Candemina Gummies

These gummies had the unique combination of being really firm and hard to chew, while also being coated in sugar. Chewing one of these made my teeth hurt, and they had that standard energy drink flavor. I did think it was neat that these were in the kanji character for “power,” which is a nice touch.

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Tabe-ko Aquarium

These crunchy chocolate cookies are in the shape of marine animals and they are delightful! I normally don’t reach for chocolate, especially chocolate cookies, but these had a light crunch that combined with a really creamy flavor, even though these weren’t cream-filled cookies. Two thumbs up for this one.

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Poricky BBQ

These pocky-esque sticks tasted like meat broth flavored crackers with a tiny whimper of spice and seasoning. There is nothing like American BBQ, and also not as tasty as some other Japanese BBQ flavored snacks I have tried.

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Lifeguard Soft Candy

The texture of these reminded me a lot of Red Vines, and the flavor definitely was similar to an energy drink. I wasn’t a fan of this.

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Suppa Mucho Vinegar Chips

I love salt and vinegar chips, but I usually want them to be so acidic that my lips pucker and I can only eat a few at a time (growing up, this was in the form of a chip brand called Poore Brothers, which was my dad's favorite and is a brand I can't find anymore). These did have a bit of a salt and vinegar taste, but it was much milder with a bit of sweetness.

Zenpop gum 1 Zenpop gum 2

Fruit Soda Gum

This is basically just bubble gum, but I did get an essence of fruit soda flavor. If you don’t think about it too hard, it is a nice change from the regular minty or sickly sweet gum flavors here in the states.

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Puccho Cola

These cola-flavored candies reminded me of cola Hi-Chews! The texture is really similar, and as you chew you really do get a bit of a fizzy mouthfeel like you just drank a sip of soda. These were interesting and delicious.

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Hunter’s Food

I don’t know what it is with Japan and energy-drink flavored snacks, but these too tasted similar to a Red Bull. The texture was a bit unique as the gummies are firm, but they have a light candy shell that you bite through.

The Verdict: This month’s box from ZenPop was an interesting mix of tasty and strange, but overall I am surprised by the amount of energy drink flavored snacks Japan has to offer—I don’t think there are such things here in America? That is just what I love about this subscription, however. It is so fun to try new snacks and branch out of my comfort zone, and it is fun to get a box of goodies shipped straight from Japan!

To Wrap Up:

Can I still get this box if I sign up today? No, but sign up for the September box here!

Value Breakdown: This box costs $24.50 + free shipping, which means that each of the 10 items in the box has an average cost of $2.45.

Check out all of our ZenPop reviews andthe Food 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?

Starting at $25.00
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If you can't decide if you want something sweet or something savory, then ZenPop's Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack is for you! This pack will satisfy your sweet tooth and also give you a savory fix. It includes two bowls of authentic Japanese noodles, such as ramen, udon or yakisoba, as well as six popul... read more.
Jessica Hapak
Jessica Hapak
I am a staunch believer that pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza and when I’m not working as a family law attorney I enjoy hiking the Louisiana trails (alligator sightings are a favorite!) or relaxing with Duchess, my cat. I’m a sucker for anything labeled a mystery box and I’ve never met a bath bomb I didn’t like.

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3 comments

Mlog

Thank you for your reviews on this box. I got my teenage son a 6-month subscription. He just received his August and just loved it!

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Mlog

His August box (I meant). It is late, I should be not typing right now. 🙂

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Mlog

Omgosh. See what I mean? haha. –I should NOT be typing right now—