Mar 29, 20237 min read

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine Unboxing

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Pocket Cusine provides low-calorie, low-carb, and additive-free frozen meals that can be easily heated in the microwave. With each dish being light and low in oil, they provide a healthy and effortless option for those leading busy lives.

I often forget to thaw my chicken breast due to a hectic schedule, but don't want to go hungry or eat high-calorie takeout. Pocket Cuisine's low-calorie meal packets have been a great solution for me. Simply create a small opening in the bag and microwave for 4-7 minutes to enjoy a delicious and healthy low-carb meal without compromising your protein intake.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Korean Army Beef Stew

Calories: 143 kcal | Protein: 17.1g | Carbohydrates: 1.8g

This particular low-carb frozen meal packet from Pocket Cuisine is my absolute favorite, and happens to be the lowest in carbs compared to all the others they offer. The beefy fragrance infuses the soup base of the Korean army stew. Since this stew from Pocket Cuisine is not spicy at all, unlike other Korean stews, it suits most people's palates. The tangy flavor of kimchi adds a refreshing twist, while the beef slices come with some tendon strips, which provide a satisfyingly chewy texture. I enhanced the dish with dietary fiber by adding enoki mushrooms and cracked an egg into the stew, being careful not to overcook it so the yolk remains half-cooked and runny, adding an extra layer of richness and smoothness to the soup.

For next time, I'm considering adding some keto tteokboki (Korean rice cake) from a recipe I previously shared, which would complement the dish perfectly! It's much more convenient than having to make the soup base or sauce for a stir-fry.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stir Fry)

Calories: 165 kcal | Protein: 3.9g | Carbohydrates: 34.2g

Upon heating up Pocket Cuisine's low-calorie frozen meal of Japchae, the aroma of Korean black bean sauce (jajang) filled the air, instantly stimulating my senses.

The glass noodles retained their al dente texture despite being frozen and heated, and the combination of the smooth noodles, crunchy black fungus and carrots, and the fragrance of the minced meat created a satisfying flavor and layered texture.

Although the portion size of the japchae is slightly smaller compared to other low-calorie frozen meals from Pocket Cuisine, it is still filling, making it a perfect midnight snack that brings much mouth pleasure. Pairing it with Pocket Cuisine's Korean Army Beef Stew creates a Korean drama-inspired meal that's only 308 kcal. With a total of 36g of carbohydrates, and deducting dietary fiber, it meets the standards of a ketogenic and low-carb diet.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Aged Curry Chicken

Calories: 181.3 kcal | Protein: 19.5 g | Carbohydrates: 13.4 g

The Aged Curry Chicken from Pocket Cuisine is a light and mild curry that's easier on the stomach and lower in calories compared to traditional curries with thick sauce. Despite the lack of curry sauce, the chicken pieces and vegetables remain flavorful. The tender chicken also has a slight crunch from the cartilage. This low-calorie frozen meal boasts a variety of veggies, including carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, and broccoli. The vegetables were not made overly soft, and retain their texture.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Steamed Chickpeas

Calories: 120 kcal | Protein: 8.8g | Carbohydrates: 20.3g

Chickpeas are an excellent source of vegan protein. Unlike the commonly used soybeans, chickpeas do not contain plant-based estrogen, making them less likely to cause hormonal issues from overconsumption. The steamed chickpeas from Pocket Cuisine have a mild salty flavor with a hint of pepper, making them a suitable substitute for rice as a main dish. In my opinion, chickpeas taste better when they have a softer, powdery texture in the center and they are less likely to cause bloating that way. Therefore, I recommend heating these up for 7-9 minutes.

For those who prefer a stronger flavor, this low-calorie frozen meal can serve as a great base for any additional seasoning. Adding some chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic powder will instantly transform the dish into Middle Eastern-style chickpeas.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Japanese-Style Pork

Calories: 156.2 kcal | Protein: 20.6 g | Carbohydrates: 10 g

The Japanese-Style pork from Pocket Cuisine is the epitome of Japanese flavor. I could smell the strong aroma of seaweed as soon as I opened the packet. There were also large chunks of king trumpet mushrooms.

The bouncy pork slices paired with the crunchy enoki mushrooms make for a very satisfying texture. I especially like these with a nice chili sauce.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Red Quinoa Brown Rice

Calories: 122 kcal | Protein: 4.1g | Carbohydrates: 24g

Red quinoa is a superfood that is not only packed with dietary fiber, but high in protein and antioxidants. Although it is hard to restore the texture of the individual grains with vacuum-sealed rice, the red quinoa brown rice from Pocket Cuisine did not become mushy. The brown rice helps retain the chewy texture. The slightly crunchy texture of the red quinoa also adds a nice touch to the dish. It is an easy and healthy alternative for those who love a bowl of steamed white rice.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Oregon Barbecue Pork

Calories: 151.8 kcal | Protein: 19.2 g | Carbohydrates: 10.2 g

In addition to broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, the Oregon Barbecue Pork from Pocket Cuisine also includes chickpeas, providing a source of protein and a satisfying main dish in one pack of low-calorie frozen meal. Upon heating it up, I started smelling the barbecue sauce.

While the spice of the Oregon seasoning is not prominent, its sweetness is evidently present. Adding the sweetness of the vegetables, the overall taste profile of this dish is on the sweet. The pork has a good chew without being too tough, delivering a satisfying barbecue elusion. I think it would be even better with a sprinkle of paprika and chili powder for a sweet, salty, and spicy combination.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Mushroom Chicken Rice

Calories: 250 kcal | Protein: 13.9 g | Carbohydrates: 33.8 g

This dish comes with sauce-soaked rice, so I recommend microwaving it in two sessions of 4 minutes each, or steaming it using a rice cooker. Microwaving it for 7 minutes in one go can cause the corners to burn, but if you don't heat it up for long enough the center may not be warm or even defrosted yet.

At first glance, the color and appearance of this dish resemble Taiwanese Sticky 'Oil Rice‘. But after heating it up and tasting it, I discovered that it has a smooth and silky texture like Chinese risotto. The Mushroom Chicken Rice from Pocket Cuisine is loaded with visible chunks of fragrant shiitake mushrooms. The aroma of the mushrooms is strong, and the rice is very flavorful, I could taste the rich mushroom from just eating the rice alone. It seems that the dish was not simply prepared by adding mushrooms to the rice, but rather using a similar method to cooking risotto, where the raw rice was cooked with mushroom water or mushroom stock, then simmered with mushrooms and chicken.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Three-Cup Chicken

Calories: 197.1 kcal | Protein: 20g | Carbohydrates: 6.4g

Traditionally, 'three-cup' dishes are known for their heavy and oily flavor profile, with a lot of soy sauce and sugar added, making it a dish that is difficult to fit into a controlled diet. While Pocket Cuisine's low-calorie three-cup chicken does not look like how you would expect it to, it is surprisingly flavorful and well-seasoned, Skipping the dark soy sauce which is typically used for color, the three-cup chicken is not dark as these dishes typically should be, but the taste was not compromised and it successfully reduces the calorie count.

I didn't see any Chinese basil leaves in the packet, but there's a light hint of its aroma present. The meal contains not only chicken, but also plenty of cabbage and large pieces of king oyster mushroom. The fragrance of the sesame oil is also prominent. I think adding some fresh chili pepper to the dish before microwaving it further enhances it.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Italian Tomato Fish

Calories: 149.8 kcal | Protein: 15.5 g | Carbohydrates: 8.7 g

The Italian tomato fish from Pocket Cuisine uses tilapia, which is truly a great partner for fitness enthusiasts when cutting! Not only is tilapia high in protein and low in fat, but it also tastes delicious with just a little seasoning of salt and pepper. It is a cheap seafood option, making it a low-calorie, cost-effective, easy-to-eat, and satiating choice of protein.

The low-calorie Italian tomato fish includes more than just tilapia slices, there's also plenty of cabbage. The dish tastes strongly of tomato paste. I think it goes well with some chickpea pasta, making it a low-calorie and low-carb pasta dish. If you, like me, prefer strong flavors, you can also add some fresh chili or low-calorie hot sauce, and sprinkle some parsley on top for a great finishing touch.

Low-Calorie Frozen Meal—Pocket Cuisine: Sea Bass Porridge

Calories: 159.1 kcal | Protein: 13.3 g | Carbohydrates: 24.5 g

For this dish, I find that it's difficult to heat it up thoroughly in the microwave and it tends to spill. I think it's better and more convenient to soak it in hot water on a stove.

The sea bass porridge from Pocket Cuisine's low-calorie frozen meals is honestly such a huge bowl. It was so filling, I couldn't finish it in one sitting and yet it only has 24.5 grams of carbohydrates. There are visible chunks of fish meat and fish skin. The fish skin, being stewed for a long time, is not only flavorful but also full of collagen. It also contains healthy ingredients like red dates and goji berries. I'm usually hesitant to eat fish porridge, but this sea bass porridge doesn't have a strong fishy taste. It tastes even better with a sprinkle of white pepper and green onions. It's my mom's favorite dish among all these meal kits.