Kit-Kat Attack

My favorite part of any Little Tokyo visit? Hitting the markets to find new and unusual Kit-Kat flavors.

I think everyone knows by now that Japan takes the cake in Kit-Kat flavors, manufacturing all sorts of different varieties across the country. (Read about it here.)

I'm not about to spend $20 for a Shoyu-flavored Kit-Kat (although I'm DYING to try it), so a $3 bar at one of the Little Tokyo supermarkets will have to do.

Above, a recent haul from downtown. Chestnut, Strawberry, white chocolate, some sort of coffee flavor, among others. But that's just the surface -- I look at roundup and want to try them all.

Ad Age recently wrote about the Japan Kit Kat phenom as well:

Nestle has upped the ante for the most creative only-in-Japan product by creating 19 unique flavors for Kit Kat, one of the best-selling chocolate candy bars in the world and the No. 1 brand confectionery brand in Japan.

Besides the regular chocolate variety, which must seem mundane to Japanese by now, Nestle has come up with variations that reflect the local produce and palate of each region. There are some staple flavors like miso, soy sauce and green tea, but the list doesn't end there.

Kit Kat varieties now range from yubari melon and baked corn from Hokkaido island to green beans and cherries from Tohoku in northeastern Japan to uzu fruit and red potatoes from Kyushu island at the southern-most tip of the country. The Kanto region, including Tokyo, contributed the sweet potato, blueberry and kinako (soybean) flavors.

The strategy started three years ago with a handful of flavors but has escalated into a national phenomenon. It's also unique to Japan, so Kit Kat lovers in other countries shouldn't expect to see exotic local flavors. (Kit Kat is owned by Nestle, but is produced in the U.S. under license by The Hershey Company).

Each flavor is only sold in the region for which it was created, a distribution strategy that has turned limited edition Kit Kat packages into coveted souvenirs for domestic travelers.

Yes, we've written quite a bit in the past about our Kit-Kat obsession -- including our 2007 haul from Friend of Franklin Avenue, Santos. Roundup here.

Break Me Off A Piece of That Kit-Kat Bar

I'm still kicking myself. Santos has Pumpkin Kit-Kats -- you heard that right: Pumpkin Kit-Kat!!! -- with our names on it. But sadly, by the time I finally emailed her back yesterday, she was already halfway back to Guam.

Pumpkin = delicious. Crazy overseas Kit-Kat flavors = awesome. That's right: Deliciously awesome treat, now no longer within my reach. They're still sitting in her L.A. fridge... and next time she's in town, I don't care how old the Kit-Kat is: I'm eating it.

Meanwhile, Santos reviews the latest flurry of Kit-Kat entries here. Chestnut, Green tea maccha, strawberry, wine, white chocolate/maple syrup... and yup, pumpkin:

how do i put this? at once completely repellent, and compelling at the same time. NOT to be mistaken for pumpkin pie flavour, the smell of pumpkin assails you the minute you rip open the wrapper. the flavour tastes like real pumpkin, not artificial, but is so strong and so unspiced, it's like eating raw pumpkin covered in chocolate. only not as pleasant. it reminds me of kabocha squash tenpura. wrapped in greasy chocolate. mmmmmmMMMM. and the lingering squashy taste only makes me crave it more. gaaaaaah.

I can't wait!

Another Kit-Kat Haul

Our recent San Francisco stay took us to Japantown -- and I, of course, immediately sprinted to the Japanese grocery store to scout out some Kit-Kat flavors.

Regular Franklin Avenue readers know that we're obsessed with the wacky, weird and different Kit-Kat varieties found in Japan, some of which make it here via importers.

We were not disappointed. This biggest find: That bag of Maple-flavored Kit-Kats. They don't disappoint; the Maple flavor is subtle (perhaps too subtle). My favorite may be the Green Tea Kit-Kats, as seen in the bottom row.

Also picked up: Milk Latte Kit-Kats and Dark Chocolate Kit-Kats.

Piece of That Japanese Kit-Kat Bar

As you may know, I love unusual candy flavors -- and I especially love bizarro Kit-Kat flavors from overseas. The Japanese market close to my hotel in New York sold two varieties of Kit-Kat I'd never had: Vanilla Bean and Green Tea. The Vanilla Bean flavor was fantastic: No chocolate, just pure vanilla-flavored goodness. The Green Tea flavor was chocolate, with a green tea middle. Good, but hard to make out the Green Tea flavor.

Also at the store, I spotted something I KNEW I had to bring back for the Kid Formerly Known As Blogger Toddler:



Thomas the Tank Engine Pocky!

A Kit-Kat Bounty

Wow. How great are Franklin Avenue pals Matt and Christy? They recently traveled to Tokyo on vacation -- and BROUGHT BACK Kit-Kats for us, even though I didn't even ask!

Best souvenir ever? Pretty damn close.

Regular Franklin Avenue readers know how obsessed I am with unusual Kit-Kat flavors -- particularly the ones coming out of Japan, which sells the strangest varieties of them all.

I've mostly settled as of late with finding the unusual varieties sold at Japanese grocery stores here in Little Tokyo. But this is the mother lode.

The package from Matt and Christy included Blueberry Kit-Kats; Strawberry-Banana Milkshake Kit-Kats, Green Tea Kit-Kats; Bitter Almond Kit-Kats; and... Aloe Vera Kit-Kats. Can't Wait!

Break Me Off a Piece of That "Office" Gag

Last week's episode of "The Office" (awesome, as always) featured a running gag in which office dolt Andy (Ed Helms, above) couldn't remember how the old commercial jingle "Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a piece of that..." went.

Apple Sauce? Grey Poupon? Driven mad, Andy finally settles on "Fancy Feast."

Of course, the joke's funny, because everyone knows it's "Kit-Kat Bar," right?

Apparently not. I've noticed quite a few people hitting Franklin Avenue this weekend, Googling the words "Break me off a piece of that."

So I checked it out on Google myself, and discovered why: Strangely enough, Franklin Avenue is fourth on the list, and the first to actually mention Kit-Kats (this post, about our love for obscure Kit-Kat flavors).

Break Me Off a Piece of That Obscure Kit-Kat Bar

Thanks to Santos, who's in town from Guam and her many travels. Santos passed along a treasure chest of Kit-Kat and Mentos flavors from overseas (esp. Japan) that are impossible to find here in the States.

Above, check it out: Bitter Chocolate, Strawberry, Cappuccino, Azuki Bean, Raspberry, Chestnut, Mild Bitter & Orange, and Pumpkin flavored Kit-Kats!



Mentos flavors from the Philippines (which you may be able to find at spots such as Arko Foods or Seafood City): Dalandan Fresh and Juicy Ponkan.



More Mentos: Fuji Apple and Grape.

Coffee: It's Not Just for Coffee Anymore

My slow road toward coffee addiction began in college, when I tasted a mocha beverage at a nearby coffeehouse (which were just beginning to become the rage). It was coffee... but with a chocolatey accent. Not bad. I eventually moved on to lattes... and then, the mother drug.

Now I drink way too much every day. But with an infant in the house, it's what keeps me going. (Although, to be fair, I was already downing way too much coffee long before Blogger Baby showed up.)

So clearly I'm excited about the new coffee-centric flavors making the rounds.



I generally avoid the regular flavor Ben & Jerry's pints, in favor of the frozen yogurt or low-fat varieties. But I couldn't pass up B&J's new Vermonty Python: Coffee liqueur ice cream with a chocolate cookie crumb swirl & fudge cow pieces. Maria and I loved it. Another brilliant B&J flavor.



Who cares if it's artificially flavored? It's a coffee-flavored Kit-Kat! Genius! (And pretty good too.) But Kit-Kat, why must you tease us with that "limited edition" threat?



I haven't tried it yet, but I'm very curious about the new Coca-Cola Blak -- uh-uh, that's right, a Coke/coffee hybrid. Again, genius. Although most people I've talked to find this digusting. I'll give it a try.

Break Me Off a Piece of That Kit-Kat Bar

The way to our blogging hearts are through our bellies, of course. Which is why Third and Fairfax's Santos (who's also behind the very delicious The Scent of Green Bananas food blog) earned some major brownie points with us the other day.

Knowing our love for unusual candy flavors from around the world, Santos sent us a care package of strange Kit-Kats from Australia and Japan. And, she sent them to us all the way from her home in Guam.

So far, we've tried the wine-flavored (yes, wine-flavored) Kit-Kats from Japan, as well as the "noir" flavored (a dark chocolate). The package also included Cappuccino, Coconut Eclair, Caramel Fudge and Hazelnut Praline flavors. Yum!

Our Allies in the War Against Boring Candy

My sister Ann Marie spent much of the summer in the U.K., and recently sent us some delicious souvenirs from her studies abroad.

Regular readers know we love, love candy from overseas, and Ann's package didn't disappoint. Mint Aeros (my favorite), Orange Kit-Kats (wow -- "orange" is an understatement. These things were ORANGE), Galaxy Ripple, Cadbury Flake (dark), and more, as you can see above.

It's been a good year for us in the overseas candy department; Santos gave us a wide variety of Kit-Kat and Mentos flavors this summer.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN BANFF: Canadian Food Finds

One final post from my trip to Banff, Canada, for the Banff World Media Festival. As I've mentioned in the past, one of my favorite things to do in a foreign country is visiting the grocery store. Here's one Canadian grocery store find: "Muffets," as in "Little Miss"?


Another Canadian grocery store find: Not Macaroni & Cheese, but rather, "Kraft Dinner."


Among the restaurants in Banff, there's the Grizzly House -- "Buffalo & Caribou Served"


Back home, organizing my candy haul from Canada -- Nestle Smarties, Malteasers, Aero Dark, Kit-Kat Dark, Coffee Crisp, Caramilk.

Summer of Shakes, Vol. 2

The recent strange bout of heat and humidity has made it easy for us to continue our trek through Los Angeles’ milkshake mavens. No. 2 on our list: Hollywood’s Lucky Devils.



I’d been hearing a lot of good things about this place as of late. And not just from Diet Coke fans who fondly remember Lucky Vanous’ shirtless ad. Several people have raved to me about their good food – but that’s for a future Rate-A-Restaurant visit. On Saturday, it was all about the shakes.

We met up with Third and Fairfax blogger Santos, in town from Guam, to shake things up. It was nice to finally meet her, especially since she permanently endeared herself to us several months ago with a Kit-Kat care package.

Santos graced us with some lemon bread, as well as molten chocolate cupcakes and a strawberry compote. Then, it was time to check out the menu.


Toasted Pecan milkshake

I already knew what I wanted: Lucky’s famous Toasted Pecan milkshake. Santos ordered the root beer float. Maria, in an odd move, opted for the Black and Tan Shake (over my suggestion: The Chocolate Cake shake). I say odd, because Maria’s not a beer fan – and that’s what the Black and Tan is partly made of.


Black and Tan shake

It sounds questionable, I know – but it was actually pretty good. Maria said it took on a caramel flavor after awhile.

But let’s take a moment out for the Toasted Pecan shake. Quite possibly the Greatest. Milkshake. Ever. Creamy, with a nice pecan crunch, it’s amazing.

A word of caution: Lucky Devils’ milkshakes are too thick (at least, my Toasted Pecan was) for straws – as a matter of fact, they don’t even offer you one. (Is it really a milkshake then? Discuss.) And there’s a good chance the waitress will throw out a little attitude when she realizes you’re not ordering food. Whatever – the Toasted Pecan milkshake is worth whatever stink eye comes your way.


Root Beer Float

Previously:
Summer of Shakes, Vol. 1: Scoops