Author and Photographer: Sharon Li

Trader Joe’s — a haven for all college students, master of quality frozen foods — appeals to the general public with its kitschy marketing, flirty cashiers, and general feel-good quality to the store. With its seasonal delicacies such as pumpkin flavored anything-you-can-think-of for Halloween or its truly expansive holiday line encompassing everything from gingerbread house kits to cookie mug hangers, Trader Joe’s plays into the adult idea of fun. After all, what’s better than treating a mundane run to the grocery store as a chance to find your childhood again?

Going to Trader Joe’s also allows us college students to stockpile on the necessary frozen meals to sustain us as we speed through rounds of interviews, dozens of analytical essays, and endless classes. After all, what’s better than a meal that never goes bad, doesn’t require preparation, and is ready to eat within minutes? If you’re looking to really speed-run your next grocery trip, I’ve curated a list of my top five favorite frozen meals from Trader Joe’s—one meal for each school night of the week. However, I would definitely suggest eating something more nutritious on the weekends.

1.Pork Gyoza Potstickers

The Trader Joe’s Pork Gyoza Potstickers are a must have freezer item for me. Not only is it extremely cheap, costing only around $2.99 for a bag of approximately 20 dumplings, it is a delicious dinner choice. The perfect ratio of filling to dumpling skin allows for it to hold up extremely well during the cooking process. If you follow the cooking directions on the package well enough, you’ll inevitably be left with juicy and umami dumplings that will no doubt satisfy any dinner cravings you might have had.

2.Chicken Tikka Masala

The perfect microwavable frozen meal for when that Rajun Cajun craving hits in the middle of the night, Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala allows for you to enjoy Indian food without breaking the bank or failing your next test. Their perfectly seasoned rice combined with the nicely curried chicken is just the perfect pairing, especially for the mere price of $3.99. If you’re ever looking for something to really warm the soul, the Tikka Masala would definitely be a fun choice for your next dinner.

3.Mexican Style Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese

Mostly found sold by street vendors, elote is usually corn seasoned with chili powder, cheese, lime, and some sort of sour cream-based sauce. Trader Joe’s Mexican Style Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese is a little like being able to make your own version of elote anytime and anywhere. For one bag of corn (which I usually split into two separate dishes), it only costs about $3.29. I would consider this the perfect satisfying dish to be paired with anything that might require a little bit of extra flavor.

4.Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings

Though the branding and packing are not typical of the frozen soup dumplings reminiscent of my childhood, Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings are rather easy to acquire, quick to make, and very flavorful. The cost of one package is only $2.99, and the convivence of its microwavable preparation allows for this to be a cheap and easy staple freezer meal. Within the melt-away skin, there exists a very bouillon-y soup base that pairs perfectly with the ground chicken nestled inside. It’s the perfect alternative to a bowl of chicken soup on a cold day.

5.Potato Pancakes

The Trader Joes Potato Pancakes are the perfect crispy pairing to satisfy your craving for something crunchy during your meal. The latkes come frozen but fully cooked, and at only $1.99 for a box of eight, they are the perfect filling option for a snack or a side. They are easy to either microwave or sear on a small pan, and paired with either sour cream or my personal favorite, apple sauce, latkes are perfect for any time of day.

So, what’s the catch? The problem with Trader Joe’s lies not with the food or the atmosphere, but instead can be found in their choice of names. Within its aisle of frozen foods, one can find brands such as Trader Ming’s (Chinese food), Trader Joe San (Japanese food), Trader Jose’s (Mexican food), Baker Josef’s (bakery goods), Trader Giotto’s (Italian food), Trader Jacques (French food), and Joseph’s Brau (beer). By crafting these stereotypical names as a more interesting way to brand their accessible choices, Trader Joes plays into the harmful rhetoric concerning the cultures and communities that have either been shunned or ridiculed because of their ways of life or cuisine choices. Personally, I cringe a little bit every time I see Trader Ming’s on the package of gyozas—if it were a matter of historically based or even accurate accounts of names relating to the food or culture, perhaps the feeling would be different. However, I would still like to credit Trader Joe’s for being the first introductions to culturally significant cuisines for many people, and these Trader Joe’s frozen meals will hopefully be the gateway for many others into exploring new neighborhoods, communities, and cuisines.

Happy eating!

Down the Frozen Aisle: A Trader Joes Review