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Dining is and always was a great artistic opportunity. ~Frank Lloyd Wright

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Trader Joe’s Kung Po Noodles and Sauce

September 21, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Price: $1.99
Serving: 1/2 container, 6 oz.
Calories: 260
Fat: 14%, 9g
Sodium: 25%, 590mg
Protein: 6g
Carbs: 13%, 39g
Fiber: 4%, 1g

Trader says: Trader Ming’s Noodle Boxes were inspired by the noodle cars on the streets of Bangkok, Thailand. In Bangkok, people enjoy all kinds of wonderful foods from street vendors. In a way, the streets are really just one big open air cafe. We have imported three great flavors from Thailand and now you have an easy way to eat these noodle dishes.

Abi says:This meal isn’t really a meal at all. It is some noodles in sauce. While this might sound appealing to some people, it is actually a really boring thing to eat. Sure, the Kung Po noodles fulfill the basic mission of anything labelled ‘Kung Pao/Po’. They are slightly sweet and a little spicy, more spicy than most prepared foods. Unfortunately, they are just a bunch of boring noodles in spicy sauce. Maybe you’re tired of eating exciting foods and you really need a break from all of those crazy vegetables and meats. Or maybe you are were feeling lazy, like me, and you wanted a meal that you didn’t even have to put in the freezer. I have to admit, the shelf-stable foods are kind of nice.

The next day:
I “made” steamed dumplings, springrolls, and rice for dinner last night. I didn’t feel like having plain white rice, so I made yellow rice instead. While saffron is a nice flavor and all, it didn’t really go well with the dumplings and gyoza sauce. These noodles would have made a more appropriate side dish, but I had unwittingly eaten them at lunch. Don’t make the same mistake I did: these are not a meal, they are a side dish.

Even if you enjoy consuming only noodles for a meal, you might want to enter our contest.

Amy’s Kitchen Breakfast Burrito

September 20, 2006 | Reviewer: Heather

Heather takes it to Amy’s Kitchen for being a bit suspicious in their burrito naming conventions. Does tofu = breakfast for you?

Price: $2.29
Serving: 1 Burrito, 170 g
Calories: 250
Fat: 11%, 7g
Sodium: 23%, 540mg
Protein: 9g
Carbs: 13%, 36g
Fiber: 20%, 5g

Amy’s says:Organic potatoes, tofu, black beans, vegetables and salsa wrapped in an organic flour tortilla. Non-dairy/no cholesterol.

Heather says:By and large, I love Amy’s products. By and large, so does HeatEatReview.com. Just take a look at that Amy’s brand link down there if you don’t believe me. Lucky Amy, she is favored well here.

This favoritism may be largely due to the fact that Amy’s Kitchen is consistently yummy. When I picked up this burrito, for example, I did so with a fair amount of certainty that I would find it tasty. I was not let down.

The one exception I do take to this product is its name. “Breakfast” burrito, you say, Amy? Er? I don’t know about the next person, but the words ‘breakfast burrito’ make me think of scrambled egg product wrapped in a flour tortilla and served out a drive-through window at your nearest McDonald’s. They do not, however, make me think of healthful whole wheat tortillas filled with potatoes, tomatoes, beans, and tofu. I think Amy may be trying to be a little too creative with her name choices, as this product doesn’t look all that distinguishable from any of her other bean burritos, except perhaps that it is lacking cheese. So what exactly makes it breakfast-y? The tofu? No, Amy, no. Just name the thing a tofu-potato burrito and call it a day. Vegans tend to like tofu. We’re okay with it. Really. Next time, embrace your inner vegan and just place the tofu name proudly on the cover.

Even if you’re not vegan, you might want to enter our contest.

Hey, hey we’re having a contest!

September 19, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi Jones

Why another post about a contest? First, I’ve forgotten to bring a new and untested meal to work and/or school for the past couple of days. This means that I haven’t even tried the Trader Joe’s Pad Thai and Kung Po noodles and I won’t be able to post a review about them today. Second, I found this neat picture of Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck and got caught up in a daydream about the awesomeness of the DC Trader Joe’s wine section. It is incredible!

Oh, and about that contest? Just head over to the post Ready-to-Eat Giveaway #1 and leave a message including your email address, blog name, and a link to where you’ve made a HeatEatReview.com shout-out.

Yes, comments on this entry are closed. Head over here to leave your comment. The contest closes Friday, 6pm Eastern.

Trader Joe’s Peanut Satay Noodles and Sauce

September 18, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Price: $1.99
Serving: 1/2 package, 5.8 oz.
Calories: 300
Fat: 23%, 15g
Sodium: 21%, 500mg
Protein: 7g
Carbs: 12%, 35sg
Fiber: 4%, 1g

for taste
for horrible nutritional value

Trader Joe says: Trader Ming’s noodle boxes were inspired by the noodle carts on the streets of Bangkok, Thailand. In Bangkok, people enjoy all kind of wonderful fods from street vendors. In a way, the streets are really just one big open air cafe. We have imported three great flavors from Thailand and now you have an easy way to eat these noodle dishes.

Abi says: While all you vegans out there may be hip-hip-hooraying for Trader Joe’s three new ’soba in sauce’ offerings, the rest of the noodle-eating public should do without these dishes. Sure, the sauce is edible, they cook up in two minutes, and no refrigerator or freezer is required. Unfortunately, you’re spending $1.99 on some pretty mediocre noodles in sauce. I’d eat this meal in desperation, but knowing that instead of consuming a box, I could eat a Lean Cuisine and a Dove Dark Chocolate Bar, I’d go with the chocolate-including option. If that doesn’t convince you, then think about the pool of oil that I encountered at the bottom of my noodle box. Ew.

Stay tuned for reviews of the Kung Po noodles and Pad Thai, coming Thursday and Friday. As of writing this review I haven’t tried those meals. Who knows, they may be insanely delicious.