I have been checking the Pocky and Pretz shelf at Meidi-Ya Supermarket faithfully for what seems like months and there has been nothing new.
Then suddenly, there are five new flavours of Pretz – a windfall for any fan.
Pretz flavours (from far left) Mikan, Matcha. Image: ST/ Rudy Wong
In the pouches are sweet Pocky in Matcha and Mikan flavours.
A good whack of powdered green tea and the rich flavour of cream come through in the Matcha sticks.
Mikan is a perfect reminder that flu season is round the corner and I should start eating the fruit for vitamin C. The Pocky equivalent has a bright orange flavour that I like a lot. It tastes like an orange creamsicle.
The other three variations are Tako Yaki or octopus balls, Ramen and Hotate or scallops.
Pretz flavours (from far left) Tako Yaki, Hotate and Ramen. Image: ST/ Rudy Wong
Of the three, the Tako Yaki one has the best flavour. It tastes like the Worcestershire sauce-like topping vendors slap on the octopus balls.
I have great hopes for the Ramen one but it is pretty generic. Fortunately, Hotate packs in a rather uncannily accurate flavour of scallops. Those Japanese flavour engineers always manage to delight.
Get these Glico Pretz, $2.70 a pack, from Meidi-Ya Supermarket, B1-50 Liang Court, tel: 6339-1111, open: 10am to 10pm daily.
This article was first published in The Straits Times newspaper on September 12, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.