The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
Favorite Trader Joe’s products that I recommend you to try!
Trader Joe’s has always been one of my go-to grocery stores as a college student due to its affordable pricings for quality products and the fact that it is located only a couple blocks away from UCLA’s campus. With Trader Joe’s’ wide selection of products, I understand how overwhelming it may be deciding what to purchase. To lend a helping hand, I will be recommending my top five favorite products, in no particular order, for inspiration on what to purchase during your next Trader Joe’s shopping spree.
Pumpkin Pancake/Waffle Mix
Ever since I was little, my mom would always drop by Trader Joe’s to purchase the Pumpkin Pancake/Waffle Mix, and I have been obsessed with it ever since. The instructions on the box are very easy to follow and beginner friendly. All you need to do is mix the box mixture in with butter, milk, and a beaten egg, and then scoop it on a pan or a waffle griddle to cook. Whenever I make it I always like to add banana slices, as it naturally sweetens the pancakes or waffles. Also, the charness of the bananas when it caramelizes on the pan or griddle tastes so good. Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s only carries the pumpkin pancake/waffle mix during the Fall so make sure to purchase a box before Fall comes to an end!
Taiwanese Green Onion Pancake
I love green onion pancakes, so when I first saw that Trader Joe’s carried them, I knew I had to try! It comes with a pack of five and each pancake is separated with a sheet of parchment paper. To cook it, all you need to do is put it on a pan until it turns golden brown–no oil is needed. I was surprised by how flaky and crispy the pancake turned out without any oil. I personally could eat it by itself, but if you want to fix up a dipping sauce, you can just mix together soy sauce with black vinegar and optionally chilli oil for a kick. The Taiwanese Green Onion Pancake has become a staple in my family’s household, as it is both delicious and so easy to incorporate into your meals.
Coffee Ice Cream
For all coffee lovers out there, I highly recommend you try Trader Joe’s’ Coffee Bean Blast ice cream. I was expecting the coffee to be more muted, but was surprised by how strong its flavor came through in the ice cream. You can really taste the coffee beans; in fact, when you open the ice cream you can already smell them. The consistency of the ice cream was very creamy and the sweetness was very minimal which I loved. I definitely recommend trying! Fun fact, everytime I purchase this ice cream, the cashier always points out how good it is.
Chicken Dumplings
Ever since discovering Trader Joe’s’ frozen chicken dumplings, I have not purchased chicken dumplings elsewhere. I am very particular about my chicken dumplings, having tried various chicken dumpling brands from Asian grocery stores and Costco, but am always disappointed by how thick the skin of the dumplings are and the chewiness of the chicken filling. The skin of Trader Joe’s’ dumplings are not too thick nor too thin, so if you decide to pan fry or boil the dumplings, the skin gets crispy very fast and also does not tear easily. I also love how lean and tender the chicken in the dumplings are.
Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips Chili and Lime Flavor
I just recently tried these tortilla chips after hearing from so many people how good they were, and the reviews were not wrong. Taste wise, these chips are very similar to Takis; however, they are less spicy and less salty. I am a big fan of Takis, so I was delighted to find something similar at Trader Joe’s. If you are looking for a healthier alternative to Takis, I would definitely recommend checking out the Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips Chili and Lime Flavor at Trader Joe’s–you will not be disappointed.
