Oyatsu Box Review April 2014

Just received my 3rd OyatsuBox today!  It's such a unique box that the whole family enjoys.  We have a blast "taste testing" everything inside.  The box contained 11 Japanese candies and snacks.  

 Strawberry Cake TOPPO ~ Yum!  These taste great!  They are described as an "inside-out Pocky".  The inside is a strawberry shortcake flavored chocolate.  The chocolate is surrounded by a pretzel layer.  The outside pretzel isn't salted and tastes good.

 One Piece NW3 Collector's Card & Gum ~ Inside are two pieces of gum and 2 special edition cards.  The cards are really neat and have a sparkly prismatic look one one side.  The back side is numbered and illustrated as well.

 Amaika San-Taro ~ This Japanese snack is made of a strip of cod paste marinated in a hearty layer of sweet squid flavor.  It's a popular snack food in Japan and can be found throughout the country.  The Amaika brand version is twice the size as other regular editions.  I'm not brave enough to try this one, but I can always find students adventurous enough to sample!

 Umaibo ~ This month's flavors are Natto and Teriyaki Burger.  From what I can find, Natto is fermented soybeans.  It has a very strong smell and taste!  The teriyaki burger Umaibo tastes good, but has a strong after taste!

 Babystar Ramen Bites Yaki Soba ~ Babystar brand noodles have been around since 1959.  This bag has Yaki Soba flavored noodles.  They look like a dried chow mein.

 Litchee Hi-Chew ~ This is a limited edition Hi-Chew flavored like lychee.  This tropical fruit grows in Asia and makes a great flavoring for candy.  The Hi-Chew candies are definitely one of my favorites in the box!

 Plum Somen ~ I never knew noodles could be prepared like this!  This package contains noodles with a unique, tasty sour plum flavor.  Definitely a different experience!

Puku Puku Tai ~ Inside is the candy version of Taiyaki.  Taiyaki is a fish-shaped hot cake traditionally filled with red bean paste.  This candy version is a fish-shaped wafer filled with a puffy chocolate.  My husband and I really enjoyed this!

Ume Mints ~ These were also a big hit with the family.  Ume is a sour plum flavor.  I liked this flavor much better than the Plum Somen.  Apparently these mints are very popular among the older generation.  My 9 year old loves them too!

Soy Butamen ~ Butamen is the name of the pig mascot on this container.  Inside are soy noodles that are sold in dagashi (candy) stores all over rural Japan.  It also came with a small plastic fork.  To fix, add around 180ml of hot water, cover and wait for 3 minutes.  Do NOT microwave!

Taro Kyabetsu ~ Kyabetsu means cabbage, but there is no cabbage in this snack!  The bag is filled with corn pugs infused with bits of nori (dried seaweed).  It's also flavored with Okonomiyaki sauce, which seems like a thick worcestershire sauce.  I'll make my husband try these because I'm not a big fan of seaweed.  

OyastuBox is $25 a month and ships for free on the first of each month.  The shipping takes 10 - 14 days from Chiba Japan.  I think this box is so much fun!  OyatsuBox is a division of Oyatsu Cafe.  If you like the snacks in the box, you can order most of them from Oyatsu Cafe.  My kids really enjoy learning about the different types of Japanese candy and snacks.  I'm considering ordering the Mexican Candy Box for them too.


If you know of any other interesting boxes from other countries, please comment below.  

Oyatsu Box Review March 2014

In my second month of receiving this box, I am totally amazed with the variety of candy and snacks available in Japan.  Here's a look at the March 2014 Oyatsu Box!

BabyStar Guru Guru Monja ~ Monja is a specialty of the Kanto region of Japan.  To prepare, put the noodles and soup mix in the tub.  Then pour hot water up to the line and stir until thick (about 15 seconds).  Finally, pour in the remaining pouch of Furikake and enjoy!  The picture shows not to microwave.

Kabayaki-san Taro ~ This is made of a simple dried cod-fish base, with the flavor of grilled eel.  These little snacks are very popular in Japan, and can  be found in every convenience store nationwide!

Kimchi Ramen ~ Kimchi is a type of pickled cabbage which originated in Korea and has become very popular in Japan.  This tub contains lots of bite-sized Kimchi ramen bits to snack on.

Umaibo ~ This is the second month for Umaibo and the adorable mascot, Umaemon.  These two new flavors taste like Tonkatsu (blue) and Takoyaki (red).

Crunky Matcha (Green Tea) ~ Crunky is a popular Japanese chocolate infused with crispy wafer bits.  This special limited edition version is made from tasty Matcha chocolate.

DonDon Yaki ~ This is a traditional Japanese food, made of Okonomiyaki wrapped around a wooden stick.  The delicious flavor is faithfully reproduced in this bag of Japanese crackers!

 Glico Salty Lychee Gum ~ This inventive creation from Glico combines chewing gum with a tasty, salty Lychee taste.  Lychee is a sweet fruit native to Asia with a ton of health benefits.

 Morinaga Pineapple Ramune Candies ~ This is filled with lots of yummy pineapple ramune candies!  The bottle is shaped after a traditional Japanese Ramune bottle.

 Wata Pachi Melon Soda ~ This is a fun and unique snack from Japan.  It is melon soda flavored cotton candy, mixed with pop rocks.  The delicious cotton candy melts away in your mouth while the powerful pop rocks explode!

Yaokin Mochi Pie ~ Mochi is a chewy and soft Japanese rice cake.  This taste has been wrapped up in a delicious chocolate pie!

 Coris Whistle Candy ~ Each pack of Coris Whistle candy contains 8 ramune flavored hard candies, that make a whistling noise when you blow through them.  Each pack also contains a bonus prize toy!

Description Sheet ~ Thank goodness for this paper with detailed explanations of the candy and snacks.  I copied the descriptions of each item under every picture I posted.  

I can't wait to try these snacks!  Some of them scare me a little, based on the words "cod-fish", "eel", and "pickled cabbage", but someone in my family will try them!  Oyatsu Box seems to be so unique and fun.  I really enjoy this box.  It shipped from Japan on the 1st and I received it in Kentucky on the 12th.  Less than two weeks shipping.  

http://youtu.be/43N_tDGDSC0
Click on the link above to watch my You Tube video.

February in Review

This was the first month I have ordered and received multiple subscription boxes.  I have enjoyed all of them!  Below is a brief summary of each box.  I'm keeping this as a personal reminder of what I liked and didn't.  This will help me decide which subscriptions to keep and drop in the future.

1.  Socialbliss Style Box
          Faves - scarf, stylus pen, and wallet
          Perks - 2-day shipping with tracking via USPS, great packaging, able to subscribe for 3 months
          Drawbacks - There is a wait list to sign up for the box.  You can access the invite page through
               my link.  I will receive $10 credit if you subscribe.
               http://www.socialbliss.com/campaigns/inbound/NHw0MDAyMg==

2.  Gizmo Crate
          Faves - Bluetooth wireless speaker, Krave turkey jerky, cable clips
          Perks - 2-day shipping with tracking via USPS, coupon code for next month "BLOG10", free
               shipping, offers multiple subscription plans
          Drawbacks - This months shipping was delayed due to late shipping from a vendor.

3.  OyatsuBox
          Faves - Pineapple Hi Chew, Peach Pocky, Russian Roulette Gum
          Perks - Comes with a detailed description of each candy/snack, which is handy because the
               labeling is in Japanese, free shipping
          Drawbacks - Does not ship with tracking information, shipping time is longer

4.  iDiscoverBox
          Faves - Everything!  (2 cases and screen protector)
          Perks - Awesome price, nice packaging, offers multiple subscription plans
          Drawbacks - No tracking information

5.  Loot Crate
          Faves - T-shirt, information magazine
          Perks - tracking information, lots of coupon codes online, themed box, offers multiple
               subscription plans
          Drawbacks - might not use all of the stuff

6.  KawaiiBox
          Faves - Squishy & Re-ment
          Perks - My daughter loved it, tracking information, offers multiple subscription plans
          Drawbacks - might not use all of the stuff

7.  Nerd Block
          Faves - T-shirt, Playful Gorilla 80's stickers
          Perks - tracking information
          Drawbacks - might not use all of the stuff

8.  Kawaii Monthly
          Faves - konnyaku sponge, Tohato chocolate caramel corn
          Perks - Comes with a description of all items, contents teach you more about Japanese culture
          Drawbacks - long shipping time, no tracking information


Next month's additions:  Ipsy, Candigirl Box, Quarterly Tina Roth Eisenberg, Quarterly Nina Garcia, Quarterly Bill Nye

April's addition:  Bulu Box Weight Loss

Boxes of interest: My Bakers Box, Einstein in a Box, Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, QBox, Meme Box, & Plated

Oyatsu Box Review ~ February 2014

I just received the very first OyatsuBox from Oyatsu Cafe in Chiba, Japan!  It took a little over two weeks to get here, but I think the weather and President's Day slowed down the shipping process.  This box is $25 a month, with free world-wide shipping.  Since shipping is free, there are no tracking numbers or shipment notifications.  February's box contains 11 unique candy and snack items.

  

Thank goodness the box comes with a description sheet!

Dagashi Super Pack ~ This big multi-pack lets you try 10 kinds of Dagashi (classic Japanese snacks).  Included are Umaibo (mentai & cheese flavors), Mochi-taro, Choco Daifuku, Kakinotane-Choco, Classic Grape Gum, UmaiJelly, Happy Pandaro, and a very cute and rare Mini-Umaibo (roasted corn flavor).

Festival Pineapple Hi-Chew ~ This special edition of Hi-Chew tastes just like the pineapple eaten at Japanese Street Festivals.  Each piece is infused with sweet hard candy bits, which give each piece an extra burst of flavor.

Black Black Mints ~ Black Black Mints are super strong with a big dose of caffeine!  Perfect for studying or long nights of work.  Each pack contains 50 mints in a cool plastic case.

Russian Roulette Gum ~ A totally unique invention and great fun to play with your friends!  Each pack contains three pieces of chewing gum.  Two pieces have a sweet and delicious liquid center and one piece is insanely sour.

LOOK Sparkling Lemonade Chocolate ~ Each piece of delicious chocolate is infused with a Lemonade flavor that actually fizzes and sparkles as you eat it.

BIG Black Thunder ~ Black Thunder is a Japanese chocolate bar with the tagline, "Delicious taste in a flash of lightning!"  This BIG version is for the serious fan and bears the tagline "Double the lightning strike!"

Big Katsu ~ This fun snack emulates the breadcrumb coating on Japanese Katsu (cutlet).  The large flat strip is slightly spicy, with a texture similar to American beef jerky.

Peach Pocky~ This peach flavor Pocky's packaging features a character from Kobito-Zukan (Dwarf Encyclopedia), which are little dwarves inhabiting Japan.

One Piece Gum & Poster ~ One Piece is the anime series that has taken the world by storm.  OyatsuBox is proud to present the awesome box of One Piece gum and a bonus collectable poster.

Strawberry Kit Kat ~ This Japanese only version of the world-wide favorite features the classic Kit Kat wafer biscuit covered in a deliciously sweet strawberry cream chocolate.

Pokemon White Chocolate Corn Puffs ~ Pokemon shaped corn puffs with a white chocolate flavor!  Each pack comes with a limited edition sticker featuring your favorite Pokemon characters.

Overall, my whole family is very excited to try everything in this box.  I really don't care about the value of the Oyatsubox, because I'm more interested in the experience it provides.  My kids have now received a package from Japan, seen Japanese products (writing and all), and will get to try some very different candies and snacks.  I consider this experience worth the $25!  

www.oyatsubox.com

You can check out my video unboxing here:  http://youtu.be/aNVEEDhIXbY

OyatsuBox

The pictures of the Mountain Dew Cheetos and Strawberry Kit Kat drew me in.  When I found out Oyatsu Café started a Japanese snack monthly subscription box, I had to subscribe.  OyatsuBox is shipping right now as I type!  This is a box I believe the whole family can enjoy.  We all seem to have different tastes in food, so I'm sure there will be something in the box for everyone.

Have you seen Japanese snack food?  They have such a wide variety of flavors and options for candy and snacks.  There are quite a few weird and wacky food creations that come from Japan!  Oyatsu Café is a popular online candy & food store.  Their new subscription boxes ship at the beginning of the month from Chiba, Japan and contain 7 - 15 candies and snacks.  The cost is $25 a month and can be paid via PayPal.  Shipping and handling is free.

I'm not sure if I subscribed in time to receive the first OyatsuBox.  I guess I will find out in a few weeks!  Come back to see pictures of what is inside!