Gomawo! Universal Yums is a monthly international snack subscription box. Every month you’ll take a trip to a new country and munch on brand new snacks. Yum Yum! There are two sizes of box, the Yum ($13) and the Yum Yum ($25). This is the Yum Yum box, and this subscription is a really solid subscription that shines each and every month.
The intro card shares some trivia about the host country, plus a few cultural insights so you snack like a local! Happy birthday UY!
I love the tissue paper set up to look like the country of the month’s flag. It’s a simple touch that makes the box even more fun to dig in to.
The information card has descriptions of all the snacks. It has a handy ingredient/potential allergen breakdown on it, and the snack descriptions have gotten to be quite detailed.
One of the great things about Universal Yums, particularly the Yum Yum box, is the experience of uncovering layer after layer of goodies.
All the Yums in the November Yum Yum box.
Mammos Fresh Milk Strawberry Candy: Loved these – they really do taste exactly like milky strawberries. Absolutely fantastic, with the same texture as the walnut candies.
Haitai Walnut Soft Candy: Apparently (according to the card), I’ve now tried 45 different candies from around the world. While I don’t think this one is my favorite ever, I love the soft, chewy (but not stretchy) texture.
Haitai Plum Candy: A nice hard plum candy. The card explained that fruit in Korea is crazy expensive (bananas = $5!?). I’m guessing this is because they have no access to land (their only bordering country is of course North Korea).
Lotte Choco Pie: The information card is so interesting for this box. Apparently there are places in SK that employ workers from both the north and south, and they often provide high calorie foods like Choco Pie to the North Korean workers. I thought these were much tastier than the Orion ones that I’ve tried previously.
Lotte Ghana Milk Chocolate: Hershey:US::Ghana:South Korea, except this is miles better – and actual chocolate! I always find it interesting to taste popular chocolates from around the world – they’re very telling about the palate. This was not too milky and ever slightly chalky.
Lim Kum Kee Mango & Lychee Fruit Jellies: These are sort of like jello cups, except I think they are made with agar agar and they are fairly firm. They are not like shooters, you are supposed to chew thoroughly and those under 6 and over 60 are to be strictly supervised while eating (though really – they’re not as firm as jiggler). The lychee one was punctured so I tossed it (so sad) and I was suprrised to find that there was quite a bit of liquid surrounding the other one, which had a nice floral and fruity taste. These also have fruit bits. And it made me totally full. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tom ate the lychee one anyways.
Orion Choco Boy: Little cookie stems with a molded chocolate cap. The chocolate has a surprisingly dark flavor, like it is spiked with coffee. [Tom’s description]
Lotte Pepero Almond & Chocolate: Similar to Pocky, but tastier. The cookie stick and coating are really thick with hunks of almonds.
Orion Tiramisu Soft Cup Cake: I have to save this one for my husband. This is a light & fluffy coffee-flavored cake with a sweet buttercream filling.
Choco Heim Wafers: These are amazing! They’re like kit-kat, but the wafer is on the outside.
And the inside is chocolate hazelnut! So good. I’m taking the other pack before Tom notices.
Peanut Squid Balls: I never look at the card first and I excitedly opened these, only to be greeted by the stankest smell imaginable. Tom has tried these before:
Orion Cuttlefish Peanut Ball: American companies just do not make snacks like this. The crispy outer shell encases an aero-esque truffley layer, with a peanut at the center. The snack as a whole is spicy and a little sweet. Somewhere in each globe, however, lay a pocket of fishy flavor (squid, shrimp, and another fishy source are listed amongst the ingredients). Some bites have nary a hit of fish — others are stronger. Odd, but actually very nice.
I tried them last time and I couldn’t bear to put them near my face! Too much!
Sweet & Spicy Kkokkalcorn: Is this a K competition? The bag cracked me up. In English it says “Teenager’s Party Time!.” These aren’t spicy one bit or particularly sweet. I totally put them on my fingers.
Universal Yums has never provided a coupon code before, so this is your shot. Enter YUMMY for $10 off 6-month Yum box gifts or YUMMIER for $20 off a 6 month Yum Yum box gift (that’s this subscription).
For December we’re traveling to the UK! Or really just England to be precise (I think!).
Visit Universal Yums to subscribe or find out more.
The Description: Each month, you’ll receive a box of unique, delicious snacks from a different country delivered right to your door. No repeats! 0% Yuck, 100% Yum.
The Price: Cost: $13 (Yum Box) $25 (Yum Yum Box) per month.
The Categories: International Food Subscription Boxes, Snack Subscription Boxes. International Theme Subscription Boxes.
The Reviews: See all our Universal Yums Reviews.
Comments
Who’d have expected so much chocolate in a box of South Korean goodies? I sure didn’t. I got mango and strawberry jelly cups instead of mango and lychee, but mine were both intact and quite tasty. (Don’t tell them I’m over 60 and ate them alone!) Messy, though, with that hard to open plastic and the liquid. I haven’t tried everything yet, but working on it. I’m a bit worried about the squid peanut ball things, but more because I’m not all that fond of peanuts. And I have to agree that the corn snacks reminded me of Bugles and were neither very sweet nor spicy. If it hadn’t said it was spicy, I’d never have guessed. Didn’t really see any spices listed on the ingredients, either, just things like soybeans and milk (both listed under the spice blend, which seems odd in itself). Next month should be fun, whether it’s the UK or England.
I definitely didn’t! Did you try the squid balls? I love reading your comments. I haven’t been able to respond to each one like I normally (hello Black Friday coming up WAY too fast!) do but I wanted to tell you that I read every one thoroughly, it’s totally a highlight when I get one from you!