I used to eat them all the time -- and yeah they taste pretty bad. I'm the kinda guy that says flavor be damned, if I just need a quick source of protein.

They're usually sold in convenience stores quite cheaply as otsumami (booze food). Since I'm now engaged to health-food buff, the last time I reached for one, I was told to look at the ingredients list -- which was a mile long. The commonly sold variety just ain't that healthy.