21. Cream Soda (2020)
Flavours: watermelon, white chocolate
For some reason, the flavour that came to mind was watermelon rather than the cream soda that I am used to. I have not had cream soda in Japan since I'm not such a big pop drinker, but perhaps this is what it is like here. The most impressive part of this chocolate is the layer of pop rocks that explode in the mouth. It was really smart of Tirol to use this. So that's what I meant by having a soda feel!
In my previous post about Kit Kats in Japan I mentioned that the interesting flavours are hard to find without having to buy a large package, but I've found a couple more loose Kit Kats sold in the convenience store lately.
The first is a lemon flavour. It is sweet and lemony with a accents of slight sourness and salt. The tanginess and the salt to bring out the sweetness make it actually quite nice.
The second find was a hojicha, or a roasted green tea flavour. I found this one goes exceptionally well with the characteristic wafer of a Kit Kat. The package says this is an "adult's chocolate", meaning it is not as sweet as the regular ones, and this is perfect to bring out the toastiness of hojicha.
There are two types of breakfast in Japan, the Western one involving bread and the traditional one involving rice. For me I find it easier to stick a piece of bread in the toaster, cut up some fruit and scoop out some yogurt into a cup in the mornings. I do however enjoy the Japanese breakfast, usually when I stay over at a hotel.
Did you know the famous, widespread chain, Yoshinoya, famous for their gyu-don (beef bowls) serve up a very affordable Japanese breakfast? They open quite early for those that have to get to work early, and the breakfast menu is available until 11am. Items on the menu include salmon, mackerel, salad, a small bowl of their simmered beef, natto, ham and eggs. All of their set meals include rice and miso soup. It's a simple breakfast that at a hotel would cost you a bit, but Yoshinoya is also known for their very affordable prices, so you could eat a full breakfast for only 338-548 yen!
Here I ordered the salmon, natto and natto breakfast (538 yen) and swapped the miso soup with asari jiru (miso soup with clams) for an extra 93 yen. This particular branch also had a side of jako oroshi (small Japanese sardines with grated daikon). Although nothing really stands out besides the volume and price, it sure was a satisfying breakfast of champs.
