TopMunch Review July 2017

• 5-7 Exotic and Hard-to-find Full-size treats
• A collection based on the local music, to listen to (TopMusic)
• A travelogue with travel tips and recommendations, for places to see (TopTravel)
• A language guide to help you pick up local phrases (TopPhrase)

Note: Their boxes are almost always full (packed to the brim) and typically weigh around 2+ pounds.

July Theme – Vietnam

Our journey this month has brought us to Vietnam, the easternmost country in the Indochina Peninsula of Southeast Asia. The capital city has been Hanoi, since the unification of South and North Vietnam in 1976. Ho Chi Minh City is another major historical city of Vietnam. Vietnam, along with China, Cuba, and Laos, is one of the world’s four remaining one-party socialist states officially espousing communism.

This month Karthik, Pratik and Srikanth selected the Vietnamese snacks, along with recommendations from Thanh – manager of Dai Trans Markets (a Vietnamese store based out of San Jose, CA).

Gao Lut Muoi Me Instant Brown Rice Cereal (Thuc Pham Dinh Duong)

This snack was highly recommended by Thanh, who helped us this month with our snack selection. We loved the snack for two reasons – 1) It tasted incredibly good, and 2) It could be enjoyed in at least three different ways. This is a very healthy option since it is basically made from brown rice, sesame, and salt. This can be had as a healthy breakfast cereal option with cold milk; it can be boiled in water like we do for Quaker Oats and made into a porridge; it can just be eaten straight out of the packet. We loved the last option although a creamy brown rice porridge topped with almonds, freshly cut fruits does sound very tempting. Yum!

Peanut Ball Cookies (Dau Phong Da Ca)

One of the most common reviews/feedback we always get with our boxes is that there is always that one snack that people finish in one shot. Well, we wouldn’t want to disappoint our frenzied fans this month as well – presenting Peanut Ball Cookies! This is a common snack in all Vietnamese homes, given that it is quite easy to make these. Made with simple ingredients such as wheat flour, peanuts, coconut milk, oil, sugar, and salt – this snack is the perfect savory to enjoy on a rainy day evening, with a steaming cup of tea, legs propped up on your ottoman while reading a book.

Mixed Fruit Chips (Trai Cay Say)

Another healthy snacking option from a region which is popular for the variety of fruits is the Mixed Fruit Chips bag we have included in this box. This snack is made, as stated on the package, –by the special processing industry used in the process of production of dry products from fresh fruits. No chemical substance is used, but the color and natural flavor is well maintained.” You can take in all the nutrients and avoid any extra glucose by enjoying these crispy chips made from jackfruits, taros, sweet potatoes, bananas, and pineapples.

Sesame Cookies (Me Xung Hue)

Another snack to enjoy along with a cup of coffee or tea – these flat sesame cookies grow on you. They are made simply from sesame, peanut, sugar, tapioca starch, and maltose. They look to seem all caramel-like and sweet but in fact are not either. They are simply a chewy peanut flavored delight filled with sesame in the size of a dinner plate. Tear off a small piece for yourself and slowly get hooked.

Mung Bean Cake (Banh Dau Xanh)

One of the most in-demand items from Vietnam is undoubtedly the Mung Bean (Green Bean) Cake. The most popular brand of cakes is sold by Bao Hien Rong Vang from the Hai Duong province, whose Mung Bean Cake is featured in this month’s box. This company established in 1922 holds the highest standard of quality in that they would destroy batches of cake if the quality standards were not met. It later became famous as –banh tien” (cake fit to offer to the king). This cake is best served along with a cup of tea (green, if you like it) and is found in most bakeries in Vietnam.

Here we have a fun little bonus item. Inside there is a note and a quarter. The note says “As per Vietnamese traditions it is a sign of good luck to present a card and a coin in a red envelope.”

TopMunch Review July 2017 – Final Thoughts

TopMunch is always a pleasure to unbox. You can tell that a lot of thought goes in to every detail of this box. From the outer packaging, to the product card, to all the information, and all the wonderful products. Out of all the international snack boxes we receive this is definitely one of my favourites. I love how professional and organized TopMunch is. I feel like we receive just the right amount of products each month, not too many and not too few. Everything about this subscription is just right.

XOXO