The Only Hot Chocolate You’ll Need This Season
Halloween is barely over, and it already feels like the city’s in full holiday swing — no, seriously, my Instagram feed is still filled with K-pop Demon Hunters and Spider-Man costumes, while people’s jack-o’-lanterns are already in the trash. What can I say? It’s New York. People walk fast, but the holiday spirit walks faster.
That said, I can’t fault my fellow New Yorkers for the urgency, because the holiday season here is truly magical. After living here for nine years, it still never ceases to amaze me how the city transforms and embraces the holiday spirit. The Rockefeller tree goes up this week (November 8th!), and the Bryant Park Winter Village has already been in full swing since it opened last Thursday.
I recently worked with one of the hottest new stalls: Bessou Snackshop. They normally operate out of a kiosk at the Pier 57 Market, but this year they’ve signed on to serve some of their famous snacks (and a few new ones) from this little shack for the very first time.
Their brand-new menu features a whole line of yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls), including Miso Salmon, Chopped Cheese, Tuna Melt, and Bacon, Egg & Cheese. The lineup is kind of an ode to New York — fully embracing a Japanese American flavor profile. I’m so excited for the smell of grilled onigiri and blow-torched miso to fill the Bryant Park air and make people wonder, “What is that smell?” before following their noses — because honestly, it’s one of the best smells.
While the onigiri are really good, what altered my brain chemistry was Bessou’s Hot Chocolate. Made in collaboration with Vesta Chocolate, a luxury small-batch chocolate shop based in New Jersey, it’s something truly special.
We’ve seen plenty of hot chocolate variations over the years — peppermint, frozen, blow-torched marshmallow (a.k.a. GLACE’s viral hot chocolate from the last two years) — but this year, I’m proud to cast my vote for a new favorite: Bessou’s Hot Chocolate, especially the version with the Yuzu Marshmallow made by Vesta. It. Is. So. Good.
You can have it torched to order and topped with kinako-cinnamon powder, whipped cream, and miso caramel corn if you want the fully loaded version — though honestly, the regular hot chocolate with the yuzu marshmallow is perfect on its own (or even just the marshmallow by itself).
While you’re there, don’t miss out on some of Bessou’s snacks, which make great gifts for family, friends, or coworkers. Their hand-popped Pom Pom Popcorn comes in a few flavors: Miso Caramel (my favorite), Nori Crunch, and Shiso Sour Cream. They also sell some very unique condiments, like their Rayu Chili Oil, Miso Spread, and Furikake — which was just named a Gold Awards Finalist for the 2026 Sofi Awards (translation: it’s really stinking good).
So don’t sleep on Bessou Snackshop this winter when you make your way to the Bryant Park Winter Village!
