Junk Food Nation, I’m Asian.  We established that a while ago. Because of this, some people I know have been asking constantly what I think of Jeremy Lin, the NBA’s media sensation.  I described how I feel about him in this post. I think he’s great, but I’m also measured in my excitement.  Plus, I’m starting to feel the same way I feel when ANY sports news story takes the world by storm, whether it be Tebow, Ryan Braun, or the lockout news – feeling full.  Over-saturated.  Overload. And the news articles don’t stop. THEY DON’T STOP.

So it’s no surprise that it was brought to my attention that Ben & Jerry’s released, limited in Boston, a new Jeremy-Lin-themed ice cream: Taste the Lin-sanity:

Racially delicious?

This ice cream features Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, with Lychee Honey Swirl, and Fortune Cookie pieces.  The Fortune Cookie pieces were later replaced with waffle cone pieces. A quick search on Google brings over 600,000 results of people talking about this ice cream.  Wow.  Seriously? People are debating it’s racial implications, some are saying its not a big deal, others are saying its a really big deal, Ben and Jerry’s are releasing press statements, people are clambering to be heard.

All I’ll say is (1) I want to try this, and (2) my head is now POUNDING from all the Jeremy Lin talk.  I need a break, please.  No ESPN, Google News, Yahoo News, CNN, Deadspin, etc. for me for 24 hours.  I mean, what more is there to say? Thankfully they didn’t put any chocolate covered egg roll pieces in it, or something.

Before I go, since we’re ON the topic of Asian-themed snacks, today’s junk food: Archer Farms Savory Spring Roll Multigrain Chips!

The Money Shot

For those unfamiliar with Archer Farms, it’s Target’s brand of foods, snacks, and drinks. Having frequented target hundreds of times, I am very familiar with good ol A.F. I know them for having unusual flavors that sometimes disappoint but definitely intrigue, things like: Roasted Red pepper chips to Dark Chocolate Cherry 7-grain granola bars to Mediterranean Arugula & Tomato Pizza.

Because such zany flavors are kinda typical when it comes to Archer Farms, I’d generally avoided them for this blog; I dunno, sort of felt like cheating.  But when I saw these Archer Farms Savory Spring Roll Multigrain Chips, I knew I had to make an exception. I’d never seen such an absurd chip flavor.  This rivals 7-Select’s Big Bite Hot Dog Chips.

Duck sauce!

Archer Farms Savory Spring Roll Multigrain Chips apparently taste like crispy fried spring rolls dipped in what looks like duck sauce.  The chips themselves look sort of like Sun Chips.  I haven’t had any of Archer Farms’ multigrain chips before, so I’m not sure.

Love clearance

This bag of Archer Farms Savory Spring Roll Multigrain Chips had one of those resealable bag slits, to keep you bags fresh instead of just ripping the top of the bag open.  Yeah because its SO HARD to roll the top down.

BTW, I ove that this bag was on clearance, not ONCE but TWICE.  Got it down to $2.08 from $2.99.  I’d say that’s a win.

All the flavors of Far East

Archer Farms Savory Spring Roll Multigrain Chips taste of scallions, soy sauce, and vegetables.  Ooooooookkkkk.  Going a little bold with that 100% satisfaction guaranteed promise, aren’t we, Archer Farms?  You just told me these chips are gonna taste like soy sauce.  I’m gonna like this?

Soy sauce...check!

And soy sauce is indeed a flavor before even garlic or onion powder.  Ho-boy.

Sort of like sun chips

Crispy like egg roll skin?

These Archer Farms Savory Spring Roll Multigrain Chips DID look somewhat like Sun Chips, but thinner and more fragile.   To be honest, they DID look like pieces of fried wonton skin that had been placed in a bag.

Ok, enough bashing. Time to eat.

Textured, but no visible powdering

Hmm.  These Archer Farms Savory Spring Roll Multigrain Chips actually delivered on their flavor promise, I feel.  The multigrain chip itself was non-descript – no strong multigrain taste like Sun Chips typically have, but were crispy and crunchy and satisfying enough.  The first flavor I got was definitely a general savory soy sauce taste, which wasn’t bad on the chip. That salty flavor eventually gave way to some notes of onion and sweet/sour taste.  So for a chip that claimed to taste like scallion, soy sauce, and veggies – I’d say they came pretty close.

My problem with these Archer Farms Savory Spring Roll Multigrain Chips is when I eat Chinese food, I’m not just eating the soy sauce packets or duck sauce tubs.  I’m eating the food WITH those sauces.  So while the flavors here were correctly described and represented, I’m not sure I want a chip tasting like condiments.

Overall, not bad, but I have no plan to ever purchase or eat these again.

Comments? Hit me in the comments below or hit me on Twitter @junkfoodguy or on my Facebook Page.

Sincerely, Junk Food Guy