Not on Bread Alone

I can have a favorite finger (left index, hell yeah), and perhaps one day, my favorite child. But I cannot pick a favorite food. I will instead attempt to approach that impossible choice with my year in junk food here, anything but the main course. Because if I was forced to live a world without soups, salads, and mains, I think I'd be upset but able to cope, if only my finger foods stay by my side.

Savoury? So in. Milanos? So 2005.

1. Crisps (not chips, though cracked pepper Kettle Chips are delightful). Being in the motherlands meant access to all sorts of wonderful flavours I don't normally see in the States, especially flavors that involve chicken. In a summer full of goat, them Capico crisps and other Chinese junk food really maintained eating as a joyful activity for me. Eating it secretly (for breakfast, for lunch, for whenever) with my half-niece made it all the more awesome.

2. Grill-a-Corn. I re-discovered this with Vita-L in the Chinese stores of Eddie Bert and ever since, have been absolutely obsessed with them this year. They're the most delicious corn snacks on God's good earth. Like Cheetos but without the disgusting cheese flavor. In its stead are wondrous, grill-flavored magical taste particles that delight the tongue. (Ok, I like the disgusting cheese flavor, too, but Grill-a-Corn of all flavours is a gazillion times better.)

3. Chinese breakfast foods. You don't open the pantry or pour some milk for breakfast in Taiwan. You step into the street. The pastries, the pancakes, eggs, fried dough, dumplings, soy drinks... possibilities are endless and most likely greasy.

4. Brioche. The French and other civilized people pronounce it bri-oh-che. The Brits, bri-AH-che. Either way, fantastic bread that reminds me of Chinese rolls.

5. Haribo's Tang-Fastic pack. Best shared with small groupers over a movie. Or alone with a movie. Or just alone. They're tangy and fantastic.