Nongshim – Spicy Shrimp Crackers

Ah yes, shrimp crackers. An ever popular pastime snack for Asian families everywhere, and a big part of my upbringing despite growing up on the frigid North. To say it’s an acquired taste would be an understatement. Though, I’m not sure if that’s actually the case, I have noticed that people who are uninitiated to the cult of shrimp crackers tend to not take kindly to it. I’d say it’s probably the smell, but I can’t be sure. Either way, their loss, my gain.

It’s been a while since I’ve had the Nongshim shrimp crackers, but I figured when I saw this spicy flavour that it would be a good time to reacquaint with an old friend. Or would it be an old friend in a new suit? Either way, I’m a little excited. I just hope my nostalgia goggles don’t ruin this for me, as they did with many of my favourite childhood TV shows. Except Rocko’s Modern Life. That show will always be a classic. Fight me.

Can’t escape that smell of the ocean.

Most shrimp crackers of this nature and shape have a similar, shrimpy, seafood taste to them. To those not accustomed to it, it may even seem fishy. But for those who have acquired the taste for them, they are just the right flavour. I’d say it goes without saying that if you don’t like shrimp or prawns, there’s no amount of flavouring or seasoning that would make this bearable for you. If that’s the case, it’s time to look away.

They look just how I remember them.

The main difference in this flavour from the standard one is this seems to be simultaneously less salty, but also slightly spicy. The spiciness is fairly mild, and is the type of tongue spice that builds up over time, but not to the point that it gets unbearable. The flavour of the spice is also somewhat mild, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. It has an almost sweet, soy sauce and ever so slight ginger quality to it. That and the red chili peppers and paprika to give it spice.

I love shrimp crackers enough that I don’t mind what the seasoning flavour is, as long as it has that shrimp flavour to it, which this has. While I don’t particularly seek out spicy snacks, this one rides a nice balance and has a bit of a kick to it to shake things up if you find the normal flavour too boring. I could see myself adding this in once in a while if I decide the normal one is too salty or I want something with a bit of punch to it.

They might be light in texture, but not so much on calories.

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zbearviking

From the frigid, majestic North (Canada), hails a creature like no other. Is it a bear that took up viking-ing? Or a viking that turned into a bear? Perhaps it is beyond human comprehension what the creature truly is, much like Bigfoot or Nessie. What we do know, is that much like everything else in the universe, it is made of star stuff.