From truffle ramen to vodka sauce mozzarella bites, these new food finds caught my attention

Snacks and meal finds have been getting a lot more interesting lately, and some of the newest products are taking familiar foods in completely different directions. Truffle-flavored instant ramen? Mozzarella bites paired with vodka sauce? Protein bars that resemble candy bars? There are so many new things to try, and this is just a small sampling.

I’ve been trying a mix of new food launches, grocery finds, and convenient snacks, and there are some really interesting flavors in this group. Here’s a closer look at nine brands and the products I tried.

I received the reviewed products for free, and all opinions are my own.

Key highlights

• ARIH brings Korean-Western fusion flavors to instant ramen, including Truffle Bulgogi and Soy Sauce Butter.

• Big Mozz and Sauz have teamed up for a frozen mozzarella snack paired with Creamy Calabrian Vodka Sauce, now at Target.

• Good Warrior is introducing protein bars with 15 grams of complete protein in three dessert-inspired varieties.

• Jackson’s has launched Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Chips exclusively at Whole Foods Market and online.

• EPIC is expanding into meat sticks with four flavors, including Wagyu Beef and Hot Honey Chicken.

• Tasty Nate’s delivers serious crunch with beef tallow-fried Game Day BBQ potato chips.

ARIH brings unexpected flavors to instant ramen

Instant ramen is getting an upgrade with ARIH, a premium food and beverage brand bringing Western-Korean fusion flavors to Walmart.

The noodles themselves have the traditional ramen texture you’d expect, but the flavor profiles are totally unique.

Soy Sauce Butter delivers exactly what its name promises. The buttery base is noticeable, while the soy sauce provides a concentrated savory flavor that develops as the seasoning combines with the water. It’s a satisfying combo that feels familiar but different from traditional ramen.

Truffle Bulgogi was really great. Truffle can easily overpower a dish, but ARIH uses just enough to create a subtle background flavor. The bulgogi-inspired seasoning adds earthy, beefy notes with hints of sesame, ginger, and garlic.

The result is a more sophisticated take on instant noodles, especially compared to other truffle-flavored products.

Old El Paso turns taco night into soup night

Old El Paso is bringing classic Tex-Mex flavors to convenient canned soups with its Cheesy Beef Taco-Style Soup and Chipotle Steak Burrito-Style Soup.

Of the two, Cheesy Beef Taco-Style Soup was my favorite. It combines beans, corn, and pieces of beef with a cheddar-forward broth seasoned with cumin and chili powder. There’s also a slight jalapeño flavor that subtle spice.

I added a little taco sauce and some crumbled tortilla chips on top, which made the soup taste even more like a traditional taco.

Chipotle Steak Burrito-Style Soup has a subtle smoky chipotle flavor and just a slight hint of heat. I really liked the shredded meat texture, and the combination of rice, vegetables, and beef also creates a consistency that feels more like soup than a thick stew.

Both are really tasty Mexican-inspired flavors with very little preparation.

Petite Cuisine mozzarella sticks deliver a serious cheese pull

Frozen mozzarella sticks are always a convenient snack, but the balance between the breading and cheese can make a big difference.

Petite Cuisine Mozzarella Sticks, available at Costco, use natural mozzarella cheese and a low-moisture formula designed to create a satisfying stretch while helping the coating stay crunchy.

I liked the size of these mozzarella sticks because they’re slightly smaller than some competing products. That creates a nice ratio between the breadcrumb coating and melted cheese. The mozzarella also has a pronounced salty flavor that comes through once heated.

There is one important detail to watch: cooking time. If these go even slightly too long, the cheese can break through the breading and melt out quickly. Oven and air fryer temperatures vary, so keeping an eye on them makes a difference.

After experimenting with different cooking methods, I preferred preparing these in oil. That delivered the most satisfying combination of crunchy breading and melted mozzarella.

Tasty Nate’s Game Day BBQ chips bring big crunch and bold seasoning

Tasty Nate’s is taking a different approach to potato chips by frying them in beef tallow rather than conventional seed oils.

The brand’s Game Day BBQ variety uses thick-cut potatoes and a seasoning blend featuring smoky paprika, brown sugar, and savory spices.

These chips are seriously crunchy, and the flavor is anything but subtle. The smokiness hits first, followed by a tangy barbecue finish that gives the seasoning some extra punch.

I liked how intense the flavor was. The barbecue seasoning has a strong presence, and the substantial crunch makes these particularly satisfying.

For anyone who gravitates toward boldly seasoned barbecue potato chips, these are definitely an interesting option for game-day snacking.

Good Warrior protein bars put dessert-inspired flavors first

Protein snacks continue expanding beyond traditional workout products, and Good Warrior is joining the category with a new lineup of bars designed for everyday snacking.

Each Good Warrior bar contains 15 grams of complete protein, including all nine essential amino acids, along with seven grams or less of sugar and a good source of fiber. They’re also made without artificial preservatives or flavors.

The lineup includes three varieties, each with a different texture and flavor combination.

Cremewich Cookies & Cream: This was particularly enjoyable because of its unique construction. The creamy center is sandwiched between crunchy chocolate cookie layers, creating a combination of textures that really works. The middle layer makes a noticeable difference, and I loved the crispy, crunchy consistency.

Brownie Crisp Cookie Dough: This version has a softer, chewier texture with some crispiness mixed in. The brownie flavor comes through more clearly than the cookie dough center, and I noticed an unexpected maple syrup-like flavor that lingered afterward.

Marshmallow Bar Sweet Cocoa: The marshmallow-style center has a nice texture, while the chocolate coating delivers a pronounced cocoa flavor. Compared with the other two, this one leans more heavily into the chocolate side of the flavor profile.

The Marshmallow Bar and Brownie Crisp are rolling out at select U.S. retailers, while Cremewich is scheduled to arrive in early 2027.

Jackson’s adds garlic butter to sweet potato chips

Sweet potato chips already have a naturally sweet flavor, which makes them an interesting base for savory seasonings.

Jackson’s newest variety, Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Chips, combines the brand’s signature sweet potato crunch with a savory garlic butter flavor.

Launched November 2 exclusively at Whole Foods Market and SnackJacksons.com, the new chips offer a different approach to the traditional sweet potato snack.

I already love sweet potato chips, and this was a nice addition to the lineup. The garlic butter flavor is subtle rather than overpowering, allowing the natural sweetness of the potato to remain noticeable.

It’s a pleasant balance of sweet and savory, especially for anyone who enjoys sweet potato chips but wants something other than the usual lightly salted version.

Rio Mare brings Italian-style tuna to U.S. grocery shelves

Not every interesting grocery find needs an unusual flavor combination. Sometimes, the quality of a familiar ingredient is enough to make it memorable.

Rio Mare, a well-established Italian tuna brand, has been expanding its presence in the United States with premium yellowfin tuna packed in olive oil.

The ingredient list is refreshingly short: tuna, olive oil, and salt.

According to the brand, each fish is cleaned by hand twice to produce clean, firm loins with a mild flavor. The olive oil is also intended to be enjoyed with the tuna rather than drained away.

I cannot say enough good things about this tuna. I’ve eaten it numerous times, and the quality has been consistently fantastic.

The texture and overall flavor are excellent, and it’s become one of those products I genuinely enjoy keeping around. For tuna salads, sandwiches, or simple meals, the quality really makes a difference.

Big Mozz and Sauz make frozen mozzarella bites more interesting

Big Mozz is expanding into Target stores nationwide, and there’s a new collaboration that combines two foods I already enjoy: mozzarella and vodka sauce.

The brand’s Original Mozzarella Sticks are made with 100% whole milk mozzarella and a seasoned coating that includes pecorino romano, parsley, and fresh garlic.

Alongside the national Target expansion, Big Mozz has partnered with Sauz to introduce Big Mozz x Sauz with Creamy Calabrian Vodka Sauce.

The collaboration pairs Big Mozz’s mozzarella nuggets with Sauz’s creamy, Calabrian-inspired vodka sauce, creating a frozen appetizer with a different dipping option from traditional marinara.

I’ve been a big fan of Big Mozz, so I was particularly excited about this collaboration. The mozzarella bites are fantastic, and the sauce pairing adds something different to an already enjoyable snack.

Both the Original Mozzarella Sticks and Big Mozz x Sauz collaboration have a suggested retail price of $7.99.

This is definitely a brand I’d recommend looking for in the freezer aisle.

EPIC introduces four protein-packed meat sticks

EPIC is expanding its lineup with a new collection of meat sticks made with grass-fed beef or free-range chicken.

The four varieties are gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo-friendly, with seven to 10 grams of protein per stick, depending on the flavor.

After sampling all four varieties, I had some definite preferences.

1. Wagyu Beef: My top choice of the lineup. The meat had a softer, more enjoyable texture, and the rich flavor made this the most appealing option for me.

2. Hot Honey Chicken: I’m not usually a huge hot honey fan, so I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did. The sweet-and-savory seasoning worked nicely, and the softer texture made it more enjoyable than the other chicken variety.

3. Rotisserie Chicken: This had a noticeably tougher texture and a little kick from the seasoning. It wasn’t my preferred flavor, but it does offer a different option for someone who gravitates toward chicken snacks.

4. Original Beef: A fairly straightforward beef flavor that was fine, although I preferred the other varieties. Compared with the Wagyu Beef, it didn’t have the same texture or overall appeal for me.

EPIC Sticks are available through Amazon and Sprouts, with a wider nationwide retail rollout planned for 2027.

Which grocery finds deserve a spot in your cart?

There are some interesting directions happening in grocery stores right now, especially when it comes to convenient meals, protein snacks, and familiar foods with upgraded ingredients.

The ARIH Truffle Bulgogi ramen impressed me with its balanced flavor, the Big Mozz and Sauz collaboration is a fantastic option for frozen appetizer fans, and Rio Mare continues to deliver excellent quality. I also really enjoyed the texture of Good Warrior’s Cremewich bar and the bold crunch of Tasty Nate’s Game Day BBQ chips.

With holiday entertaining, busy schedules, and football gatherings filling up the calendar, these grocery finds offer some new options for snack bowls, quick meals, and everything in between.