4 Store-Bought Chips You Really Want to Try (and 1 to Leave on the Shelf)
Shopping at the toko: love it! I can spend hours getting lost among the shelves filled with the most diverse products. Take the chip aisle, for example. So many (insane) flavors! These are four of my favorites — and unfortunately, I also came across a rare, truly disgusting specimen. Consider yourself warned.
Calbee Potato Chips Swiss Wings Flavor
A slightly strange name, perhaps, because when you think of Swiss cuisine, raclette probably comes to mind first. But for many Hong Kongers, this name makes perfect sense; this version of chicken wings has nothing to do with Switzerland, but is hugely popular here. Swiss Wings is similar to chicken wings with soy sauce, but with a sweeter sauce. And as a chip flavor, it’s absolutely delicious. Four o’clock Cup-a-Soup as a pick-me-up? This is the better option for your afternoon slump. It’s also great that these are ridged chips, because let’s be honest: they’re so much tastier than smooth chips, right? A little sweet, nicely salty, mmm! On the pricey side, but then again, this isn’t your everyday bag of chips. 70 grams, €2.55, available at Amazing Oriental.
Calbee Potato Chip Satay Beef Noodles Flavor
From the same Hong Kong brand, I picked up this limited-edition chip flavor. I had high expectations. But unfortunately: stale noodles. No, this really isn’t good. I tried them again a little later. Even worse than the first time; you’re better off leaving this bag on the shelf. 70 grams, €2.55, available at Amazing Oriental.
Teriyaki Potato Chips
Oohhhh, these are delicious! I actually expected that, because I love the Japanese teriyaki sauce (this recipe with pineapple and teriyaki chicken is heavenly!). You can really taste the lightly smoky, sweet flavor in these chips too. The chips themselves are also a little thicker than usual — a winner! 100 grams, €1.99, available at Tjin’s.
Wasabi Nori Potato Chips
Koikeya is my brand, for sure — this is another one I highly recommend. Spicy from the wasabi, but also mellow thanks to the nori (seaweed). Perfection in a bag. Delicious with a Japanese beer. 100 grams, €1.99, available at Tjin’s.
Kara Mucho Hot Chili Potato Snack Ridged
For some people, it can never be hot enough. I understand that with a spicy Thai soup, but chips that make you want to dunk your tongue in a bucket of cold water after just one chip? After trying the hottest chips from the supermarket, I’d had enough of those vicious mouth-burners for a while. But when someone recommended these Kara Mucho chips to me, I gave in anyway. And honestly, these thick-cut ridged chips are remarkably crunchy and, although generously coated with red chili pepper and more, they’re actually very manageable. Sweet and spicy, delicious. Pricey again, though: a small 60-gram bag costs €2.30. Available at Tjin’s.
