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Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi Review: The Vegan Dish That Might Fool Carnivores

I remember when I started this blog back in 2016. The number of vegan options at Trader Joe's was far fewer and more hit-and-miss. I think the most fantastic vegan items I ever found were the vegan tikka masala and the soy chorizo. I'm happy to say that Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi is right up there with him.

Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi box un opened on a grey surface
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Review

I do owe my friend Diane a quick shoutout for pushing this further up the reviews. She asked me if I had tried this, and yes it was purchased but was pushed back. She told me how good it was and she wasn't lying.

While this product out of the bag is no beauty queen, it does look like actual strips of meat. Maybe a bit closer to gyro in terms of visuals. And the box does make this appear like there will be some additional sauce floating around (there wasn't). So if you can temper your expectations on that front, you might be pleasantly surprised at the real deliciousness in this box.

First, yes. It is absolutely passable as meat, especially beef. It had a good mouthfeel and a nice chew to it. Visually it passes as well.

Next, there is the obvious question of taste. Each bite is mildly sweet and it is predominately soy-flavored with hints of ginger and green onion. There is the added sweetness from pear and apple puree along with some added sugar. Since most of this product is soy and soy sauce this is a bit high in sodium, but that is to be expected. But despite all the fruit and sugar, there wasn't much in the way of a sauce that you could spoon over rice with this.

But if you like beef, but know you might need to cut back, then this is a solid option as a meat substitute. Heck, you can pass this off to a real meat-lover to see if they would even notice. If you are vegan or dairy-free then this is also a solid buy.

I look forward to adding this to my regular rotation of items I buy weekly.

And of course, the package mentions that this is 3 servings, but in reality, this package might only serve two. So plan accordingly.

What could you serve with this? Rice, some green onions, or even some stir-fry vegetables, and you would have a quick and easy meal.

Packaging

The product is sold in a box with the beefless bulgogi sold in a vacuum-sealed bag.

Other Korean-inspired options

If you are at Trader Joe's, please don't think this is the only Korean-inspired option available. Here is a list of other options:

Where to buy

Since this item is frozen, you can only buy this at Trader Joe's stores.

Overall

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi again. It was really a solid buy.

Did you try it?  Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product photos

Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi box:

Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi box un opened on a grey surface.

Calories, ingredients, and directions:

Nutritional facts, calories, ingredients, and how to prepare Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi.

Out of the package you get:

Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi opened and showing the vacuum sealed contents.

After being cooked you get:

Fully heated Trader Joe's Korean Beefless Bulgogi in a white bowl next to the original box.

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

Do you love these reviews?

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

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Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream Review: The Ice Cream That Said “What If a Southern Grandma Had a Freezer?”

While you can't buy banana pudding or just pudding these days, they are now selling as a limited run item Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream. But be warned, this is going to be very polarizing as a flavor choice.

An unopened container of Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Ice Cream
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Review

There are three distinct elements at play here: banana (no chunks, just puree), salted caramel, and vanilla wafers. Essentially, you have three layers of sweetness with the salted caramel being the only possible reprieve from all the sweetness.

At first bite, I thought this tasted a little funky. I guess frozen banana flavor threw me off from say the taste of a fresh banana. But it wasn't funky enough to not go back for a second bite. And I'm glad I did. While this in no way will ever replace mint chip as my favorite flavor.

So yes, initially the bananas were a touch funky. And again, there are no chunks of banana to speak of. If you want to add some banana flavor then you'll need to pony up those nineteen cents for an extra banana.

I love a good vanilla wafer, but these were essentially mush by the time I got into my scoop. They didn't add much and there weren't many of them. And I believe Trader Joe's still sells vanilla wafers on store shelves if you really have a need to add them in.

And then there is the salted caramel swirl. Again, Trader Joe's sells a fleur de sel caramel which is pretty good. And there is sufficient caramel in this, but the salty element is lost in all the rest of the sweetness here.

While these elements are ok on their own, they are not great altogether. Would a banana ice cream totally work? Yes, but add those last-minute items that Trader Joe's already sells once you have already scooped your ice cream. Once they are added in they are just too muddled to be really outstanding.

And the other problem here is that for the most part, Trader Joe's sells a lot of outstanding ice cream options which compete on an equal if not better playing field than this.

Unless you are into very sweet banana ice cream, then this was made for you. Otherwise, there are lots of other solid options listed below.

Nutritional Facts for Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream
Other half of the nutritional information for Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream

Packaging

This is a standard pint of ice cream. You will need to peel back a bit of plastic covering the top of the ice cream.

Where to buy

Since this product is frozen, it is only available for purchase in stores at Trader Joe's. It is also a limited-run product. If you don't see it, then it might be sold out for the season.

Ingredients in Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream

Other ice creams

If you are curious about Trader Joe's extensive line of ice creams, then check out my other reviews on the other ice cream flavors they've offered:

And of course, if you are into smaller ice creams then absolutely check out

FAQs about Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream

The following are commonly asked questions about this product:

Is Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream a seasonal item?

Yes, this flavor is typically available for a limited time, often during the summer months. Availability may vary by location, so it's advisable to check with your local store

Does the ice cream contain real bananas?

Yes, the ice cream contains pieces of vanilla-flavored wafer cookies, aiming to replicate the classic banana pudding experience.

How does the salted caramel swirl influence the flavor?

The salted caramel adds sweetness and a slight depth to the ice cream. However, some may find that it blends into the overall sweetness without providing a distinct contrast.

A couple of scoops of Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream in a glass.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Banana Pudding Flavored Ice Cream offers a unique twist on a classic dessert. The banana flavor, derived from banana puree, provides a natural taste that avoids the overly artificial notes found in some banana-flavored products. The inclusion of vanilla wafer cookie pieces adds a nostalgic touch, reminiscent of traditional banana pudding. However, the texture of these cookies can become soft within the ice cream, potentially lacking the desired crunch. The salted caramel swirl introduces an additional layer of sweetness, though it may not provide a significant contrast to the overall flavor profile.

For those who appreciate banana-based desserts and are seeking a convenient frozen treat, this ice cream could be a delightful choice. However, if you prefer more complex flavor combinations or a variety of textures, you might find this offering a bit one-dimensional.

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Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi Review: When Comfort Food Meets Convenience

Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi is a frozen entrée that combines soft potato gnocchi with a creamy cheese sauce and cracked black pepper. It's inspired by the traditional Roman dish "cacio e pepe," which translates to "cheese and pepper." Sold in a 14.1-ounce bag for $2.99, this freezer-friendly option can be cooked on the stovetop or in the microwave in under 10 minutes.

An unopened bag of Trader Joe's Cacio e pepe gnocchi.
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Review

This product had a lot going for it right out of the gate. The packaging suggests a comforting, carb-forward meal with the elegance of an Italian classic. Once cooked, the gnocchi are tender, maybe even too tender depending on your method, and bathed in a silky sauce that's mild, cheesy, and generously speckled with ground black pepper.

The sauce is what makes or breaks this. On one hand, it's rich and savory with real provolone and Romano cheese flavors. On the other, it lacks the boldness or complexity you'd get from a freshly made cacio e pepe. The black pepper is present but doesn't have the sharp bite you'd expect from the traditional dish. It's closer to creamy mac and cheese with pepper stirred in than it is to its Roman namesake.

Texture-wise, the gnocchi can toe the line between pleasantly pillowy and overly soft, especially if prepared in the microwave. The stovetop method gives you slightly more control and helps the sauce cling better, but you'll want to keep an eye on the cooking time. If you're hoping for that seared, pan-crisped finish you get from skillet gnocchi, this product won't deliver that unless you fully drain the sauce and crisp it separately.

The portion is generous enough for one hungry person or two modest servings. It's not quite a full dinner on its own, but it makes a solid base. You can tell it's designed for convenience and mild crowd-pleasing flavor rather than bold culinary impact.

Overall, it's not bad, especially for the price, but it's not something I'd serve guests either. If you love gnocchi and want an easy weeknight side or lunch, this fits the bill. But if you're expecting restaurant-quality cacio e pepe, you'll likely find it underwhelming.

Nutritional facts, calories, and ingredients in Trader Joe's Cacio e pepe gnocchi.

Other Cacio e Pepe products

And yes, there is also an entire line of cacio e pepe-inspired items. Here is a list of the ones I've tried.

Where to buy

Since this is a frozen item, this item is only available at Trader Joe's.

How to Serve

  • Cook according to the stovetop instructions for the best texture.
  • Serve hot in a shallow bowl with a dusting of freshly grated Parmesan and a twist of black pepper.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley or crushed red pepper flakes for added color and kick.
Cooking instructions for Trader Joe's Cacio e pepe gnocchi.

Creative Uses

  • For a slightly crispy finish, cook the gnocchi separately in a nonstick skillet with a bit of olive oil, then spoon over the sauce.
  • Toss in sautéed mushrooms or spinach to bulk it up and add some earthiness.
  • Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or crisp pancetta to turn it into a main course.
Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi contents in a white bowl.

FAQs about Trader Joe's Cacio E Pepe Gnocchi

The following are commonly asked questions:

Is it vegetarian?

No. The cheese used contains animal rennet, so it is not suitable for vegetarians.

How long does it take to cook?

About 7-10 minutes on the stovetop, or slightly less in the microwave.

Is it filling enough as a main dish?

It can be, but it's better treated as a side or base for a larger meal unless you're adding protein or vegetables.

A fully cooked bag of Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi in a white bowl with the original packaging under it.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi delivers on convenience and comfort, but it doesn't quite live up to the bold simplicity of the dish it's inspired by. It's a solid freezer option for when you want something warm, starchy, and cheesy without spending more than 10 minutes in the kitchen. Best enjoyed with a few creative add-ins and a light expectation for authenticity.

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Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles Review: The Breakfast That Berries Your Soul

Ah, waffles. Other than pancakes, I can't think of a more ubiquitous breakfast food item. And now we have a limited run of Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles available on shelves.

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles

Review

So easy to make, and yet it is so easy to pop a few of these in the toaster and call it breakfast. At Trader Joe's they've had a number of varieties over the years.

Some are better, but they've all been pretty consistent and solid overall. Mango and chocolate chip were my standouts, but both have since been discontinued. The mango one I still remember. They used basically freeze-dried mangos and mango puree to give it that punch of flavor.

Here I went into this thinking it would just bit of freeze-dried strawberries. But I was pleasantly wrong. Here, the strawberries used to remind me of small chunks you might get in a jam. It was very fresh tasting for something that came out of my toaster. But the strawberries were sometimes more pronounced in some and I wasn't tasting them in others. Overall, there is a pleasant sweetness to these.

Best of all, the directions yield a pretty decent waffle each and every time. So, whether you bake them or toast them, these are pretty good. Just be sure to flip for evenness in cooking. Now, there is one thing that I was surprised to see.

On Trade Joe's website, it does mention this as a limited run item. This is one of those flavors that would work year-round. And honestly, I thought these were way better than the blueberry. But Trader Joe's has been known to change their minds on what a seasonal product is and what a year-round product is.

The packaging

This is basic frozen waffle packaging. It is packaged in a bag inside the box. Could the bag be eliminated? Probably.

Other waffles

So Trader Joe's doesn't just sell this variety, they have sold many other varieties. Some seasonal, some year-round, and others have been discontinued. Here is a quick list of what I've tried over the years:

Where to buy

Since Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles is a frozen item, this is only available at Trader Joe's stores.

Overall

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles again. These have been my favorite since the Mango Waffles and Chocolate Chip Waffles were discontinued.

Did you try it?  Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product photos

Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles box:

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles.

Calories and ingredients:

Calories and ingredients in Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles.

Instructions:

Instructions on how to heat Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles.

After being heated you get:

Trader Joe's Strawberry Waffles with syrup being poured on two on a pink plate.

Do you love these reviews?

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Trader Joe's Instant Boba Kit Review: Microwave + Milk = Boba Barista Vibes (Sort Of)

Bubble tea has increased in popularity. Naturally, a lot of people might be intimidated about how to make it. So Trader Joe's has made it easier by selling us an Instant Boba Kit right in the freezer section. Best of all, this one kit which contains four servings will only cost you as much as a single boba tea out.

An unopened Trader Joe's Instant Boba Kit.

Review

For those of you who have never had or heard of Boba or Bubble tea, it is referring to the tapioca balls found at the bottom of the drink. Boba tea originates from Taiwan and interestingly enough this product is made in Taiwan. The drinks have to be served with a straw large enough to fit those pearls. Often times when I hear people that don't like bubble tea it is because they weren't quite expecting the texture of the bubbles. Bubble tea can come in a variety of flavors.

Trader Joe's went mainstream with these brown sugar tapioca pearls. Brown sugar is a popular flavor and if this catches on maybe we might see other flavors.

The boba is chewy and hard to describe. It's often attributed as having a Q texture to it. And since this is a brown sugar tapioca pearl we are dealing with this is quite sweet. The directions included are on point in the microwave. My pouch was fully thawed, warm, and ready to go. In each pouch, it will give you about an inch of tapioca pearls at the bottom of your glass. My glass was tall but not wide and the wide gauge paper straw had no problems picking up these brown sugar tapioca pearls.

While I'm not wild for paper straws, this didn't disintegrate as I sat and sipped on this brown sugar boba drink. I had low expectations for the straw, but it was fine, and appreciated that it was included in this kit.

Part of the magic of this drink is done for you. The rest depends on what your choice of milk, coffee, or tea is to make this special. The brown sugar boba here adds a depth of sweetness but the surrounding drink will make it stand out.

This item is both vegan and gluten-free. And nutritionally speaking, it doesn't add much. This is mostly just sugar. So think of grabbing a boba tea much like grabbing your favorite Starbucks dessert-like drink.

What was slightly unusual for me was that there was a caramel color added which is very unlike Trader Joe's.

Nutritional facts, ingredients for Trader Joe's Instant Boba Kit.

How to make this

The directions were less than ideal on the package especially if you are unfamiliar with boba. So for the visual learners out there, here is how mine was assembled. First, prepare the boba per the directions. Once that is ready add it to a glass. Add ice. Add your favorite milk (tea, coffee, or whatever your heart desires). Pop in the straw and you are done. Give it a quick swirl to make sure you aren't just drinking up the sugar syrup with the chewy tapioca.

Step by step directions on how to make the boba kit into a drink.
1- Add defrosted boba. 2-Add ice. 3- Add milk of choice. 4- Insert straw and swirl to reveal boba.

Packaging

Within the box, there are four individually wrapped packages of boba. Included are four large paper straws which will allow for the boba to come up the straw easily. Each straw is in paper wrapping.

Where to buy

Trader Joe's Instant Boba Kit is found in the freezer section of Trader Joe's and can only currently be purchased in-store.

One package of boba and paper straw from the Trader Joe's Instant Boba Kit.

Recipe ideas

If you are stumped and need some inspiration on what else you can do with this product then consider the following flavor variations:

Overall

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Instant Boba Kit again. It made pretty good boba considering these were frozen. The taste and texture were on point considering it was a frozen pre-made item.

If you don't like the texture of tapioca pearls, then leave this item alone.

A fully made Trader Joe's Instant Boba Kit drink with straw.

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

Do you love these reviews?

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

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