Kumori's Cookies Made with Meji Chocolate

2019 brought out the cookie monster in everyone. From palm-size to super fudgy, there are several kinds of cookies baked to meet every foodie's fancy. And just when I thought I couldn't love Kumori more, it joined the cookie craze and launched three cookies worth every penny (and calorie).

Hello, Kumori. 

Kumori has been known for its divine Hanjuku Cheese, premium pastries and delightful beverages. And it made the holiday season merrier when it released three great cookies topped with Meiji Chocolates!

Supermarket Find: Mini Meiji Products

The Philippines has been known to be a tingi-tingi market hence the popularity of sari-sari stores in villages and provinces; and growth in number of convenience stores in cities. Honestly, I prefer supermarkets as I get to see more things there and I always get excited whenever I see a new product (and believe me, you do not want to see my super giddy self in a supermarket). But I guess it has been quite a while since I last visited a supermarket. (Then again, it was just a few weeks ago.)

Look at what my mom bought from our local supermarket!

Mini Meiji products!!!

Hello Panda may not really look that small so here’s a pencil for scaling purposes. It’s only 18 grams.

 

Yan Yan also has a mini version (Yan Yan Kids). It’s only 30 grams!

Cute! <3

I guess I need around 5 of each to satisfy my grumpy tummy.

-Gluttonshopper

Shopping Destination: Marukai Market

I have expressed my love for anything Japanese in several blogs entries. The word sashimi alone makes me smile for hours! So just imagine my thrill when I stepped inside a Japanese supermarket. I was beyond ecstatic! 

The first thing I saw inside the market are some clothes for older women. It shows, I guess, the target market of the shop. There are signature bags as well though I'm not really sure if those are popular brands. Being a person who cares more about what to eat, I went straight to the kitchenware and I had a blast!

Ceramic knives!!!

Plates everywhere! 

 

There are a lot of sushi and sashimi plates though I find it a tad pricey at $1.25 and higher. 

There are a lot of cute figurines too and those kimono dolls. 

I also saw the Aquazinger thermos bottle my colleague T brings to work. 

Cheap Thrill: Mini Stop Choco Strawberry Ice Cream

Remember the creamy and oh-so yummy Hershey’s Dark Chocolate of Mini Stop? Well, I do and I can still recall how my small eyes widen every time I get to have it for dessert. I could say that I’m lucky that my place is very near a Mini Stop branch and that I could buy it while wearing my pajamas.

After work, I passed by Mini Stop to buy some snacks when I noticed something new. NEW ICE CREAM! Choco Strawberry… hmm… sounds yummy. 

 FAIL.

No, it was not the ice cream that failed me. When I went to Mini Stop to buy one, it was out of stock. :( I guess that proves that the ice cream was indeed good. 

 

My second attempt to buy was a success. I still remember that it was right after my dental appointment. (Way to go, right?)

Gone to the dark side of… chocolates.

I just love dark chocolates for it made me feel less guilty of finishing a box of it in one go.

I often do the grocery shopping whenever I’m not very busy. I’m proud to say that I could shop a month’s worth of supplies in less than 30 minutes. Yes, I have mastered the grocery near our place. However, there are also times when I just look around hoping to see something new or interesting (as long as it is reasonably priced, I will buy it). Thus I was so happy when I saw my favorite chocolates KitKat and Macadamia... DARK and BITTER.

I'm in love!

And I love you too! (Great! I'm a two-timer!)

At first I was afraid that these might just be like the failed attempts of chocolate brands claiming that the chocolate beneath the wrapper with screaming DARK/BITTER/PURE COCOA is indeed dark; but in reality, it was still milk chocolate… only with its sweetness level toned down one tiny bit.

I.was.wrong.

Looks dusty but who knows, that might be the "secret ingredient" :)

Meiji’s Macadamia Bitter truly used dark chocolate. The word bitter was a bit too strong though. The chocolate’s taste was similar to Meiji’s Dark Chocolate bars… one of my cheap thrills. It was dark but not extremely dark to the point that it is no longer enjoyable. (Note: This one though is a bit pricier compared to the chocolate bars because of the macadamia).

Let's play a game! Which one is dark?

As for Nestle’s Dark KitKat… I was impressed. It is longer compared to the normal milk chocolate KitKat and (biased) it is definitely better. I love dark chocolate and Nestle managed to come up with an affordable chocolate that is quite dark (but not too much that will make you go blaaaah!) yet something the little tykes could enjoy.

Both chocolates has something to munch on (macadamia for Meiji and waffle for KitKat) making it delicious snacks that will make you eat it for… hours (well, with some chips, water, and soda—well, that’s what I call the I-will-just-relax-and-watch-a-movie snack).

Then again, the unforgettable truffles of Risa Chocolates and the delectable chocolate goodness of Royce are still my favorites.