The ‘90s may have happened before I was born, but apparently, no one told my snacks!
I grew up in the 2000s, yet my childhood was still very much fueled by the same treats that kids in the ‘90s knew and loved. Back then a few coins were capable of netting a pretty impressive haul of snacks at the local sari-sari store—which somehow always felt like a perfectly balanced meal.
There was no need for fancy artisanal chips or imported candy bars because there were enough Flat Tops, Choc-Nut, Cheese Rings, Yakee!, and orange cheese dust to permanently stain everyone’s fingers. Some were sweet, some salty, all of them had questionable amounts of nutritional value—but all of them were dangerously good.
So whether you actually grew up in the ’90s or, like me, inherited its snack culture, these seven Filipino favorites deserve a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
1. Flat Tops
If you had a sweet tooth growing up, then you’ve probably had your fair share of Flat Tops. Wrapped in the iconic orange-and-silver foil, these puck-like milk chocolate bites always delivered a creamy, rich chocolate hit that made you feel like you’d bought something much fancier than you actually did. And since they were so small, they were perfect for slipping into your pocket, lunchbox, or school bag—although there was a very good chance they’d be gone before first period started.
2. Choc-Nut
You can’t really go wrong with chocolate and peanuts, but Choc-Nut took that combination to a whole ‘nother level with its grainy, polvoron-like texture and distinct nutty chocolate flavor. Sweet, rich, and ridiculously easy to eat, every bite would practically leave a pile of crumbs that somehow ends up everywhere—on your fingers, your lap, and probably your shirt too. But that was all part of the experience, because you’d dust off the crumbs, grab another piece, and keep going because stopping at just one was never really the plan.
3. Cheese Ring
Cheese Ring was crunchy, cheesy, and a sure-fire way to turn your fingers a bright, almost-radioactive orange. Each little ring packed an addictive amount of artificial cheese flavor, making it way too easy to finish an entire bag without realizing. But did anyone actually eat them straight from the bag? I remember slipping every piece onto my fingers first, turning them into tiny orange rings before biting them off one by one. It added absolutely nothing to the flavor, but that somehow made the snack ten times more fun. And by the time I got to the last piece, my fingers were coated in enough cheese dust to prove that I ate it right.
4. Yakee!
Yakee! was not your average piece of bubble gum. These little gumballs packed enough of a sour punch to make your whole face twist even before the first bite. In fact, that sour reaction was practically part of the experience—you’d pop one in your mouth, immediately scrunch up your face, and try your best to power through the initial shock. The fun, of course, was seeing how long you could keep chewing without giving in to the sourness. And if you could last that long, you’d eventually be rewarded with a fruity piece of gum that you could gnaw on for hours.
5. Ri-Chee
There was just something about Ri-Chee’s flavor that made it stand out from all the other snacks we grew up eating. Instead of the usual cheese, barbecue, chocolate, or salty flavors, these crunchy little bites had a sweet, creamy milkiness that was surprisingly satisfying. The crackling-like texture made it even more enjoyable, because a loud crunch would always come before the sugary, milky flavor. It was such a unique combination that you could recognize Ri-Chee after just one bite.
6. Lumpia Shanghai
If you spent your childhood raiding sari-sari stores for snacks, you probably remember Lumpia Shanghai. These crunchy corn puffs came in bright orange plastic wrappers and were a playful, snack-sized take on the classic Filipino spring roll. The pieces were light and crispy, with the same artificial cheesiness that made other cheese snacks from this era popular. They were the kind of merienda you could pick up after school with whatever coins you had left.
7. Sweet Corn
Sweet Corn was all about that unmistakable sweet corn flavor. Each light, airy puff was dusted with enough seasoning to give it a sweet-and-savory taste that had no issues introducing itself. But that wasn’t even the best part because it practically melted in your mouth as soon as it made contact. One minute you’re munching away, and the next, you’re left with nothing but a handful of crumbs, so you’d lick your fingers clean to make sure not a single bit of seasoning or crumb went to waste.
Keep Snacking
Maybe I wasn’t technically a ’90s kid, but growing up in the 2000s didn’t stop me from enjoying some of the decade’s most delicious snacks. And honestly, I’m glad I got to grow up eating them.
Because whether you remember the ’90s firsthand or discovered them through older siblings, cousins, and neighborhood sari-sari stores, these snacks prove that good merienda has no expiration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some popular nostalgic Filipino snacks associated with the ’90s include Flat Tops, Choc-Nut, Cheese Ring, Yakee!, Ri-Chee, Lumpia Shanghai, and Sweet Corn.
Flat Tops is a small milk chocolate snack known for its creamy chocolate flavor and distinctive orange-and-silver foil packaging.
Choc-Nut is a Filipino chocolate-and-peanut confection with a crumbly, grainy texture similar to polvoron.
Cheese Ring is a crunchy Filipino corn snack coated in a bright orange cheese-flavored seasoning. It is particularly known for the cheese dust it leaves on your fingers.
Yakee! is a Filipino sour candy and chewing gum known for its intense sour flavor, followed by a sweeter fruity taste as you continue chewing.
Ri-Chee is a crunchy Filipino snack known for its sweet, creamy, milk-like flavor, offering a different profile from the more common cheese and barbecue-flavored snacks.
Lumpia Shanghai is a crunchy corn-based snack inspired by the name and shape of the Filipino spring roll. It was a popular sari-sari store merienda.
Sweet Corn is a light, airy Filipino snack flavored with a sweet-and-savory corn seasoning. Its texture makes it especially easy to eat by the handful.
