Bungeo Samanco Gold Label 붕어 싸만코 골드 라벨

Bungeo Samanco Gold Label 붕어 싸만코 골드 라벨's mainly red package.
Notice the label stamped on the upper right "자일로스 설탕" (Xylose Sugar).

Back of the Pack... Gold Label (Premium Style).

The wafer design and size still looks the same.

Every food judgment starts with a bite.

After taking a bite and savoring it, the difference between Bungeo Samanco Gold Label  붕어 싸만코 골드 라벨 and regular Bungeo Samanco 싸만코  became apparent. See the pic below for the visual difference.

As you can see, the bean paste 팥 in Samanco Gold Label (left) is more refined and pasty. However, plain Samanco's bean paste 팥 is syrupy and contains soft whole beans. 

Before anything else, for the sake of comparison, I already made a review of the plain Bungeo Samanco 붕어 싸만코 here.


Product Name: Bungeo Samanco Gold Label 붕어 싸만코 골드 라벨... just with an additional 골드 라벨 (Gold Label) Premium Style making it sound more superior.


Hole in the Pocket: PhP 50.00 in Mashitta (Korean Restaurant)


First Impression: Because I adore the regular Bungeo Samanco, I think another version in "gold label" would still be good. The only difference in the package is the color. Gold Label is red/red orange whereas regular Samanco is cream-colored/off-white.


Taste buds say:  It's still a delicious overload, but the new consistency of the bean paste somehow improves the eating experience because there'd be less bean skins/pulp getting caught in your teeth and less roughness, thereby making the whole eating experience smooth and richer in flavor. Bungeo Samanco Gold Label (붕어 싸만코 골드 라벨) also uses Xylose Sugar 자일로스 설탕 which is a healthier alternative to ordinary sugar because it's not readily absorbed by the body which means less carbohydrates stored as fat.


Reminds me of: Bungeo Samanco 붕어 싸만 before it became Gold Label 골드 라벨...;)


K-rating: 5/5 ... perfect made better.

Goraebap 고래밥

Here's the front and back of Goraebap 고래밥's box.

Of course, I wouldn't pass on the opportunity to show my English prowess. The matching activity doesn't only help in teaching English names of animals, but also introduces you to 4 of the sea creatures that you'll meet inside. It also has a website: www.goraebab.com, but I can't open it. I wonder why... must be my settings or something.

I like how most Korean snacks have this kind of packaging / box where it opens in the middle (like a box of Kleenex). Look! Cute drawings inside too! Must be an activity, but I'm too lazy to try and translate. ^^;;

~ Funky Sea Creatures ~

I tried to "catch them all", but I missed three: turtle, octopus, and shrimp.  I'll update this as soon as I open my second box. *pinky promise*

Product Name: Goraebap 고래밥...  고래 is Korean for "whale" and 밥 can mean "rice", "meal", or "food" depending on how you use it in a sentence. Most blogs and info in the net translates Goraebap 고래밥 as "whale food", of course it doesn't literally mean that you're a "whale" if you eat it. I think its name goes with the whole theme of marine animals. By the way, typing 고래 밥 in google translate gave me "Bob whale" and was a quick laugh. Kkk...good thing I don't have a fat friend whose name is Bob cause I'd be tempted to you know..secretly call him 고래밥 behind his back. >_<;


Hole in the Pocket: This was from ♥. Surely it's not more than Php 70 in your friendly neighborhood Korean store.


First Impression: How cute is that 3D whale with a bump on its head? Although whale food in reality is mainly krill and plankton, they might actually snack on fish or squid every now and then. I doubt they eat turtles, dolphins or octopus though. The package gives me an impression that the whale is thinking about its food and is quite happy about it.  


Taste buds say: The box says 볶음양념 맛 ("stir-fried in sauce flavor")... and it tastes like a generic "vegetable" flavored snack with a little more zing. Still delicious though and much closer to "chicken barbecue" in flavor if you ask me. It's crunchy and you'll actually feel like a whale devouring small sea creatures for pleasure. I find it more satisfying to throw 5-6 pieces (sometimes even more) into my mouth and chomping away.


Reminds me of: Vegetable snacks (e.g. Regent's Snacku Rice Crackers).


K-rating: 4/5 ... 'coz I'm tired of categorizing animal crackers.

Maxwell House Coffee 맥스웰 하우스 커피

Maxwell House Coffee 맥스웰 하우스 커피... 오리지날 (Original)

Here's the English side of it.

Product Name: Maxwell House 맥스웰 하우스... I'm concluding that "original" in Korean can either be spelled as "오리지널"  or "오리지날" probably depends on how you pronounce it. Could it also be that "original" in Korean may also mean "natural" in flavor? Such as in the case of this coffee drink, original might mean pure black coffee without milk and other artificial flavors (hazelnut, caramel, etc.).

Hole in the Pocket: PhP 30 - 35.00 / can (Mini Stop).


First Impression: "Good to the last drop" eh? Let's see...


Taste buds say: It's plain iced / cold black coffee. It tastes a little better than instant coffee + water + sugar, but only by a few points... kinda "blah".


Reminds me of: Plain iced coffee


K-rating: 2/5 ... I'd only buy it if I were too lazy to make my own coffee.

Any Time 애니 타임 Candies

Any Time 애니 타임 Sugar-free (무설탕) Hard Candies at 10 calories a piece.

Xylitol in between minty flavors.

It tastes as cool as it looks.

Product Name: Any Time 애니 타임... Yep, you can pop them into your mouth "any time" for a blast of flavor and minty goodness.

Hole in the Pocket: I got it for PhP 4.00/piece at Prince Mart. They didn't have a pack.

First Impression: Looks like regular candy. Although the flavor isn't written on these individual wrappers, I'm guessing it's written on the package, which they didn't have at the time. I'm just gonna describe them according to my taste buds.

Taste buds say: Cool and refreshing! They're not like ordinary mints that uhm...well... tastes like toothpaste or something. The xylitol (white strip in the middle) gives that cooling sensation that complements the two layers of flavor. The blue one tastes like bubblegum + barley mint, whereas the red one tastes like peach + strawberry. I prefer the blue Any Time 애니 타임 candy! Plus, xylitol is better than sugar because it lessens the risk of getting cavities.

Reminds me of: Fox's crystal clear candies in mint or fruit flavors and Fres mouth perfume candies.

K-rating: 4/5 ... as good as hard candy gets!

Custard (Lotte) 카스타드 (롯데)

Lotte's Custard (Original) 롯데 카스타드 오리지널

~ 행복 찾기... Finding Happiness ~

Individually wrapped custard cupcakes for your happiness.

The custard wasn't overflowing, but it was soft and delectable.

Product Name: Custard 카스타드... plain creamy custard.

Hole in the Pocket: I dunno, this was a direct import from ♥. Just check your friendly neighborhood Korean grocery store. 

First Impression: Packaging is simple and kind to the eyes (with all the green). The custard cake looks packed with creamy filling. Also looks like mamon (Filipino sponge cake).

Taste buds say: Yummy, a little on the sweet side, but still tastes good. I like eating it with tea or other unsweetened drinks (water? yes, that too). Although it's not good to eat when you're trying to fight hunger, because you might need 3 - 4 pieces to even feel a wee bit full. It's just great as a light snack in between meals.

Reminds me of: Mamon and other custard cupcakes...^^;;

K-rating: 3/5 ... simply custard.

Yangpa Ring 양파링

Yangpa Ring 양파링's front... O.R.O... Onion Ring Original!

I love Korean illustrations and drawings. From what I can see and read (a little bit), Yangpa Rings 양파링 are best eaten with  drinks, such as cola 콜라, fruit juice 과일주스, and yogurt drinks 요구르트. It is also best dipped in island dressing 아일렌드 드레싱 or tomato ketchup 토마토 케첩.

This is one of the few honest picture of products that I know. No exaggeration in colors or appearance. 

~ Onion Rings ~ *munch munch*

Product Name: Yangpa Ring 양파링... Yangpa 양파 is "onion" and Ring 링 is well... "ring".

Hole in the Pocket: I'm not sure probably ranging from PhP 50-70 'coz it's quite big.

First Impression: Simple enough and no photoshop in the product's appearance. Nice illustrations and tips at the back of the pack too.

Taste buds say: It's kinda bland, but rightfully so. It's not overloaded with flavoring powder and there's the subtle taste of onion. That might be why they recommend dipping it in Island dressing or tomato ketchup. In my case, I dipped it in tomato ketchup and the flavors were complementary. Goes well with cold beverages too (I like it with fruit juice!).

Reminds me of: Typical onion ring snacks, but Yangpa Ring 양파링 is less "powdered" or "seasoned".

K-rating: 4/5... great munch!

Bungeo Samanco 붕어 싸만코

Bungeo Samanco  붕어 싸만코 since 1991.

The fish pops out! What you see is what you get.

Bite into a fin without worries of dripping all over the place. Bungeo Samanco  붕어 싸만코 is compact and creamy.

3 Layers of Yummy Goodness: crisp wafer, sweet red bean paste (팥), and soft vanilla ice cream. 

Product Name: Bungeo Samanco  붕어 싸만코... 붕어 is a fish (Carp) and 싸만코.... hmmm.... 싸만코.... if I use my limited Korean language skills, I'd say it means cheap (싸) only (만) nose (코), but that is WRONG. According to a my boyfriend who did a search online ('coz he also had no idea), a guy asked the Binggrae company what 싸만코 meant, he said that 싸만코 was like an "ice cream in a sandwich" or "sandwich type of ice cream." If anybody knows the exact meaning... share the knowledge! ;)

Hole in the Pocket: Php 40 - 60 (prices vary in each store)

First Impression: If I didn't know any better, I'd say this was "fish flavored ice cream" (as most people think too whenever I introduce it to them). But why would a fish flavored ice cream last for many years, right? So it's not fish flavored, but rather it's like the ice cream version of 붕어빵, a fish-shaped Korean pastry.

Taste buds say: Delicious overload! One of the best ice creams I've ever had (one of the cutest too)! Biting into the wafer and savoring the bean paste with the vanilla ice cream is oh so heavenly...~

Reminds me of: Nothing I've ever had before.

K-rating: 5/5... It's worth the raves!

Magic Pop 매직팝

A Bundle of Magic Pop. 15 pieces of 100% natural and healthy circular discs to munch on.

매직팝 (Magic Pop) Korean Snack 

One rice pop is as big as a single-serve salad plate.

Somewhat bigger than a CD, so it's probably right to say that it's wider than 한예슬 Han Ye Seul's face.

Product Name: Magic Pop 매직팝... It's probably because it magically pops out from a machine like a flying saucer or a frisbee. As a matter of fact, it was the popping sound that attracted me to check out the Magic Pop stall in the first place... okay, okay.... also the "free taste" area and because it claimed to be a Korean snack. ^^;; By the way, don't confuse 팝 ("pop" in hangul) and 밥 (meaning "rice" in Korean), they  also sound different.

Hole in the Pocket: Php 39.00 

First Impression: It looked like those Japanese rice cookies. Upon reading Magic Pop 매직팝... I found myself singing inside my head in the tune of f(x) / Big Bang feat. 2NE1's "Lollipop". Instead of saying "lollipop", of course I changed it to "magic pop". Oh gosh, there's also Hyuna's "Bubble Pop". The Magic Pop stall also plays on loop a video of Jan Di from Boys Over Flowers selling Magic Pop on the street (Yeah! That proves that it's a Korean snack...^o^). Here's a facebook page dedicated to it.

Taste buds Say: It's crunchy and light. By light I mean, not too salty or sweet, it's just the right sweetness and saltiness combined. You can actually be heard munching on it even from 5 feet away, so avoid eating it in a quiet place where you'll most likely make an echo or be clearly heard (e.g. church, classroom, cave, theater, etc). Magic Pop is something to keep one's mouth busy on nibbling and because it's not deep fried or loaded with flavoring, it's a healthier choice (low calorie and zero oil) compared to sodium-rich junk foods. However, if you're looking forward to feeling full... this is not the snack for you.

Reminds me of: Kettle Corn's Sweet and Salty Twister popcorn to a lesser extent. 

K-Rating: 4/5... not bad, not bad at all.

Japagetti 짜파게티

Packs and packs of Japagetti 짜파게티

How I cook it: (1) Boil the noodles and dried veggies in 600ml of water for 5 minutes; (2) While boiling, take 6-8 spoons (depends on how concentrated you want to taste the 'jjajang' / sauce) of hot water and use it to dissolve the black powder; (3) After dissolving the powder (now, you have the black sauce), mix the olive oil in; (4) Strain the noodles and veggies; (5) Put the noodles and sauce together, mix well.

Instant Black Noodles

Product Name: Japagetti 짜파게티... I think it's a combination of 짜장 (black fried sauce) + 스파게티(spaghetti)...but I dunno, it's ramen..maybe 짜장라면 isn't catchy and 짜장면 is the original or actual dish being imitated by this instant noodle.

Hole in the Pocket: Php 45-50

First Impression: The pack says 올리브 짜파게티 (Olive Japagetti) because it uses olive oil in its sauce. Nothing cute about it, but it has the aura of "Korean style Chinese food". And no, the actual Japagetti doesn't have that much vegetable or meat.

Taste buds say: Delicious especially when eaten with 김치 (kimchi) or 계란  튀긴 (fried egg). Some complain that it's too bitter or has a "burnt" taste, but I think that's because they make the mistake of not diluting / dissolving the black powder in 6-8 spoons of water, which makes the fried black bean sauce flavor way too concentrated. I have also seen how others add shrimp to Japagetti 짜파게티, it looks good so maybe I'll give it a try soon.

Reminds me of: Any dish cooked with squid's black ink and soy sauce.

K-rating: 4/5 ... tastes like 짜장 but not exactly 짜장면.

Spaghetti Ramyeon 스파게티 라면

Spaghetti 스파게티 (Italian Type Spaghetti)

Here we've got (top-bottom): dehydrated veggies,  liquid soup (액체스프), and  the powder soup (분말스프).

How I cook it: (1) Boil the noodles and veggies for 6 minutes; (2) After 6 minutes, strain the noodles and place in bowl as seen below.

Strained noodles and veggies (yep, it has corn 옥수수!) Finally, add the liquid soup first, mix it a little bit, then  it's time for the powder soup. Mix them altogether and you have yourself a Spaghetti Ramen!

I know it doesn't even begin to resemble the spaghetti in the pack, but what did you expect? Kkk.

Product Name: Spaghetti 스파게티... it didn't say 스파게티면, but they do mention it's a Spaghetti Ramen. 

Hole in the Pocket: I'm not sure how much it's sold in groceries, but I'd estimate it between Php 45-60.


First Impression: Green, white and red... this is definitely Italian type Spaghetti! But I doubt the spaghetti in the picture was ramen... no curls?!


Taste buds say: A tad too sour and not at all sweet, but saucy enough. It's not spicy, so there's no need to prepare a pitcher of water. It has a lot of texture thanks to the dehydrated corn and carrot pieces, plus it included macaroni 마카로니! You don't only get spaghetti, but macaroni 마카로니 as well.


Reminds me of: Spaghetti with too much tomato sauce...!


K-rating: 3/5... just spaghetti, not spaghetti-licious.

Milkis 밀키스 Carbonated Milk and Yoghurt Drink

Product Name: Milkis 밀키스, like a “kiss” 키스 from a “milk”..??? 우유키스... breastfeeding...^^;;

Hole in the Pocket: Php 25

First Impression: White, blue, moon and stars make for a good can. “New feeling of soda beverage”? Let’s see...

Taste buds say: Milkis doesn’t only have a “kiss” of milk... it’s probably 50% skim milk (more like a “slobber”), 30%carbon dioxide and 20% artificial sugars/flavors. Did it give me a “new feeling of soda beverage”? Mmm...er... yeah...it did give me a new feeling... a weird feeling... but nonetheless it’s still “new” compared to drinking garden variety carbonated drinks. Kudos to Lotte for thinking outside the box and coming up with this milk soda, which some people compare to vanilla ice cream + Sprite. I read that it comes in other milk fruit flavors as well, so far I haven’t seen them being sold here, but when I do you can bet your behinds that I’ll be posting a review here. Drinking Milkis made me wonder if there’s already carbonated coffee in the market...? *burp*

Reminds me of: Yakult + Sprite... it is made of yoghurt after all. Glad Milkis was able to balance the flavors. By the way, if you’ve tried drinking Magkeolli 막걸리 (Korean rice wine), they look the same. You can troll someone with Milkis, make them think that you’re handing them a bowl of Makgeolli.

K-rating: 3 / 5... unique but not exceptional.