ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack is a monthly subscription service from ZenMarket that sends popular and unique Japanese noodles and snacks handpicked by their staff in Japan.
(This box was sent to us at no cost for review. Check out the review processes 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: $25/one-time purchase. Save with longer commitments
The Products: 2-3 bowls of noodles, 6-10 Japanese sweets + snacks
Ships to: Worldwide for free!
ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix "Sunny Days" Pack June 2019 Review
Every box begins with a nice thank-you note from the creators, as well as a coupon!
Each box also features an info sheet that gives a short blurb of the snack’s origin, popularity, or relevance to the theme. The sheet also provides common allergy ingredients as well as special instructions for the best eating experience.
Shall we dig into our summer flavors?
Mini Shoyu Wantan Men – Buy a 12 pack for $45.67
Through ZenPop, I've experienced many types of ramen bowls, and these bowls that include mini dumplings are always such a fun find while eating! Wantan Men is another name for ramen with wonton, or a type of dumpling filled with a thin pastry wrapper. This ramen used the shoyu flavor, or a soy sauce broth, one of the most familiar forms of ramen.
It was a hearty meal and finding one of those little wontons made the eat 10x better, though I wish they were a bit meatier! The broth was clear, and as usual, I skipped the fat for a clearer soy sauce taste.
Hiyashi Tanuki Udon – Retail Value $2.70
Udon is my favorite Japanese noodle dish. The dish is of a flavored broth using soy sauce and mirin, called kakejiru and thick wheat noodles. Served hot and topped with shrimp tempura, udon, in my opinion, will always top ramen. I was so happy to see this in the info sheet, and was surprised to see it was eaten cold?!
This noodle bowl used a drainage system, and suggested rinsing the noodles in cold water, then pouring the kakejiru sauce. The noodles were so nicely cooked, chewy, springy, and fresh, and paired so well with the savory-sweet udon base. Topped with little tempura bits gave the perfect crunch needed. Delicious!!
Senjaku Polar Bear Soda Gummy – Retail Value $2.24 (£1.99)
Yes! Gummy time! These *adorable* gummies are in the shape of polar bear paws, filled with a light blue sweet soda flavored jelly.
Country Ma’am Choco Mint Cookies – Retail Value $3.25
I had a nice laugh at the Ma'am name in these cookies! These little cookies in the chocolate chip mint flavor are dipped in chocolate and filled with a mixture of dark chocolate cookie, chocolate chips, and mint chocolate chips. Sometimes, mint choco flavors can be too toothpastey, but this was a lovely mixture!
Kasugai Peas – Buy 3 1.41oz packs for $18.99
What more to expect from the most simple, yet so delicious snack? These little balls of joy are crispy, crunchy, hot, and have just the right amount of spicy bitterness kick to them.
Grape Ramune Candy – Retail Value $1.75
This little bottle mimics the iconic Japanese ramune, or fizzy soda that is activated by popping a glass marble through the drink! It's filled with little yellow and purple tablets that have that sweet grape flavor I love with a tiny bit of fizz to remind us of that cool summer drink.
Puccho Soft Candy Chews – Retail Value $2.98
These candies are the next level up of Hi-Chews, a popular fruity chew! They include little fizzy bits and bits of hard candy inside the chew to give a menthol-like refreshing flavor and a fun fizz when melting in your mouth. Isn't the color so pretty, too?
BBQ Scorn Share Pack – Retail Value $4.90
I discovered this snack a while back from a previous subscription... oh man. The BBQ flavor in this wonderfully savory snack is the perfect amount of sweet and salty, with a smokey taste I loved! Even though these are for sharing with different people, I ate these all on my own~ but no regrets 😉
Verdict: I must say, this month's curation was just fit for the summer days! Starting with a new way of eating my favorite Japanese noodles—cold udon had the best refreshing taste I thoroughly enjoyed. The pairing of the crunch of tempura pieces and chewy, springy noodles with the subtle sweetness of the udon soy sauce flavor was simply divine. The refreshing ramune soda candies and cool mint cookies were so fun to eat, all the more to cool the hot wasabi peas! Another delicious curation.
(*´∀`*)
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Unfortunately, you have to sign up by the last day of the month… but subscribe to the August box here!
Value Breakdown: For $25, you receive 2 bowls of ramen/soup and 6 sweets + snacks, so you’re paying about $3.12 per snack. I calculated a retail value of $27.96, which exceeds the original subscription price. I consider a large part of the subscription’s value the ramen meals and experience of the curation, but that is just my personal opinion.
Check out all of our ZenPop reviews to learn more about the various subscriptions ZenPop offers!
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What do you think of May’s ZenPop Ramen + Sweets Mix Pack? What was your favorite cool flavor?
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