Okay guys, buckle up because this ham su taste test turned into a whole afternoon thing! I figured since I love the stuff and always wonder which brand is actually best, why not just try them all side-by-side? My kitchen looked like a snack lab by the end.
Getting Everything Ready
First, I hit up my local supermarket. Grabbed every single different brand of Ham Su I could find on the shelves. Ended up with four main players: the classic red bag one everyone knows, that fancy one with the shiny packaging that costs more, the store brand (gotta see if it’s worth saving cash), and this new one with a weird cartoon dog on it that my nephew always points at. Made sure they were all the regular salted kind for a fair fight.
Got home, cleared the dining table. Poured out a decent pile of each Ham Su into separate little bowls – labeled them A, B, C, and D so I wouldn’t get biased seeing the brands. Didn’t wanna know which was which while tasting! Set out a jug of water for rinsing my mouth between bites. Grabbed my notebook and a pen. Ready for science!
The Taste Test Tango
Started with Bowl A. Took a good sniff first. Smelled kinda… generic. Popped a handful in. Crunch was okay, not super loud. Flavour was very middle-of-the-road. Salty, kinda wheaty, but nothing jumping out. Like, it was fine, but forgettable. Wrote down: “Basic. Safe. Won’t upset anyone.”
Rinsed, sipped water. Moved to Bowl B. This one looked yellower already. Sniff test – whoa, stronger smell, kinda artificial but also kinda buttery? Took a bite. CRUNCH! Much louder! Flavour hit harder – super salty upfront, then this weird, almost cheesy aftertaste? And greasy! Like, my fingers felt slick. Notes: “Intense! Salty punch. Greasy. Kid energy overload.”
Back to rinsing. Bowl C time. Looked the palest. Sniffed – barely any smell. Tasted a small handful. Crunch was soft, almost stale feeling. Flavour was… bland? Like they forgot to add enough salt and flavouring. Just mostly airy crunch. Felt cheap. Wrote: “Disappointing. Weak flavor. Cheap vibe.” Definitely the price-saver, I was guessing.
Last one, Bowl D. Fancier looking pieces? Sniff – yeah, richer smell, like toasted grains and actually pleasant. Bit into them. Perfect crispness – a satisfying snap, not too hard. Flavour was deep, roasted cereal sort of thing, salted just right. Savory. Kept wanting another handful. Notes: “Best crunch! Toasty, balanced salt. Actually tasty. Feels quality.”
Unveiling the Champion… and the Losers
Time for the big reveal! Peeked at my labels:
- Bowl A (Basic): The classic big red bag brand. Makes sense. It’s the standard.
- Bowl B (Salty Grease Bomb): The fancy expensive one! Couldn’t believe it. All that glitters is not gold, apparently.
- Bowl C (Flavorless Sticks): Yep, the store brand. Totally tasted like it. Saves pennies, loses on taste.
- Bowl D (The Good Stuff): The one with the cartoon dog! Surprise winner! Guess my nephew knew something.
Turns out, the “expensive” one was actually the worst for me – way too intense and oily. The big brand was just… there. The store brand was sad. But the winner was clear: that cartoon dog bag nailed it. Better flavour, better texture, just way more enjoyable to eat. Not even the most expensive! Blew my expectations.
What I Learned (The Hard Way)
Honestly, kinda shocked. Shows you can’t judge a Ham Su by its packaging (or price!). The underdog (literally, with the cartoon dog) won big time. My go-to brand now? Changed forever. Plus, my mouth felt kinda coated with salt for hours afterwards – worth it, but maybe do smaller sessions next time!
