Man....they rock.
No, not like the band on the packaging of Trader Joe's Presents The Crispy Crunchy Mochi Rice Nuggets. I mean, that's a pretty ridiculous name...though I wouldn't be surprised if a band named that actually existed. There's bands with names like Neutral Milk Hotel, after all. I kinda would want to hear this nugget band though. I bet they could do a killer rendition of "Billie Jean" - you see that bassist with the 'stache and mane? He'd rock that bassline. And I will reward mega Internet points to anyone who can translate what the word bubbles are saying - I assume it's Japanese, because the nuggets are a Japanese product. But you tell me.
Nor are these particular rice nuggets particularly rock-like. Rocks, like stones (and not the Stones). Sandy and I neglected to get a pic of them out of the package, but they do closely resemble the non-cartoony aspects of the bag front - bite sized chunks of rice-type substance. Made from the same kind of glutinous rice paste as most other mochi, these mochi nuggets are crispified and fried. in a way - and this is meant as a compliment - they're more spongelike then the last product I reviewed, its name notwithstanding. Except instead of chewy, it's decidedly more crispy and crunchy while still retaining a slightly springy feel. Add in a little greasy comfort, and it's addictive.
It is worth mentioning that the nuggets are not labeled as gluten-free - according to the back, there's a chance of cross contamination with wheat. And also, of all things...mackerel. I don't even know how to say anything more than that. But there could be mackerel in your mochi. Seems perhaps some quality assurance could be better enforced at the factory, hmm?
I like the nuggets quite a bit. So does Sandy, and our kids too. I'm really hoping these become a thing with some different flavors and varieties coming out. Black pepper would be killer. So would garlic and herb, or even something like cinnamon and sugar. As is, though, the nuggets seem like they'd pair with almost anything, so there's some versatility. At $2.99, they'll be staple in our house for sure.
Bottom line: Trader Joe's Presents The Crispy Crunchy Mochi Rice Nuggets: 8 out of 10 Golden Spoons
David Lee Roth Nugget is screeching "CRISPY!" whilst Afro Tommy Lee Nugget is uttering "CRUNCH!"
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteI think maybe it would be nice alternative to croutons. Also they should sell actual mochi (chewy) minus the ice cream to have nice variety of mochi. I agree it needs some flavoring too
ReplyDeleteThese are so freaking good. Even I thought they reminded me of something familiar, just couldn't put my finger on it. Bugles don't really come to mind for me either. I don't know. Salty, crunchy, slightly greasy. Just really really good.
ReplyDeleteThese were too greasy for me so I toasted them in the oven. Lots of oil came out. They became super crunchy, too!
ReplyDeleteI bought these because lots of people have been raving about them. As soon as I put them in my mouth I thought they were way too salty (and I like salty snacks). I also thought the texture was too dense. The overall flavor reminded me of a cross between a frito and a cornut. Not a fan.
ReplyDeleteI like these, but being that they're so greasy, I feel a bit guilty after eating them. I didn't realize they'd be fried. I probably wouldn't have bought them if I knew that. They're pretty salty-tasting too, although the nutrition labels shows that there's only 75mg of salt per serving. Tastes a lot saltier than that. The japanese on the front says "ku-ri-su-pii" and "ku-run-chi" (crispy, crunchy) from left to right.
ReplyDeleteI knew I could rely on What's Good at Trader Joe's to tell me why these tasted so dang familiar! EXACTLY like Bugles! Why? How??
ReplyDeleteAltogether a very mysterious snack, but I feel much happier eating these yummy bites now that I placed that eerily familiar flavor.