What you should BUY at a Japanese supermarket 🇯🇵🛒 Cooking, souvenir, etc.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Hey everyone! How is your weekend going so far?? 😊 As mentioned in the post-video small talk, I had to think about lightweight/not-too-bulky/long-lasting products whenever I was going back to the UK from Japan 😆 I actually brought a lot of these back to the UK when I was a student haha Please make sure to check the regulations when entering your country though! Some countries don’t allow fish/meat products to be brought in, and in this case you won’t be able to take back some of the products I mentioned in the video 😢

[@RtdRotem2810]

Excellent video as usual Sarah, I would love to hear from you here in the comments or in a separate thread how the changes in the dollar exchange rate and the increase in interest rates affect your standard of living and tourists I am planning a trip to Japan next year is there anything I should take into account?

[@shireleytan6783]

Thanks, please add snacks as I’ll be in Tokyo next April to stock up

[@AYCEWAGYUBEEF]

I was waiting for this content, most people focus on premium food under the department stores. Please do the supermarket snacks next, they have been a hit-and-miss for me. The premium food under the department stores are usually always hits but more expensive. Your food souvenir recommendations have been spot-on in the past.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Thank you so much! I will definitely be making a video on supermarket snacks 😊

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

YES!! So few people make really good videos about this-- they're too busy in Donki talking about the same old stuff everybody else has been hypnotised into buying. But supermarkets, now THAT'S where it's at. Thank you so much Sarah. I added loads of your recommendations to my shopping list. The last great video I watched on this topic was Tabi Eats's epic 2 part episode, also full of great recommendations. Hope you have a great weekend ahead! 🙏💖

[@flatironnewyork]

a friend of mine brought me spicy furikake. it was freaking delicious. i'm coming to japan in november and lightweight food souvenirs was exactly the info i was looking for. thank you!

[@emilyxadrienne]

I love your suggestions because I always buy my souvenirs from the grocery store! I would love a video where you speak Japanese and add English subtitles just so we can practice hearing Japanese before we travel :)

[@vanillabean7121]

As far as i know, tea brewing time depends on the type of the water. With soft water you don't need to brew it for a long time. If you do it gets bitter. However when you make tea with hard water it takes more time.

[@Katharine-000]

I got wakame in an asian supermarket in London, but didn’t realise what a massive amount it makes. So the first time i did like two big handfuls, poured on water, and came back to a lifetime supply of seaweed 😂 ONE TEASPOON folks, that’s all you need!!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

😂😂😂 Great shoutout!!

[@コッチコヨーテ]

それ日本人も一回やるから笑

[@ragsoh]

Thanks Sarah for your detailed tour of recommended Japanese food.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

My pleasure! If I am to recommend a product I want you to know how to use them 😊

[@Jaimico380]

We would love to see a 2nd part! All those products are great!!!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@AlanVByrnes]

Appreciate another supermarket video for Japan Sarah I’ll be sure to keep this one in mind when I come hopefully soon here and what I really want to get good to eat especially!! Thank you so much again for the help for here always!! 🫶🫶🫶

[@Generalmegazord]

Great video thanks ! What I absolutely love to get is "Gohan desuyo" : packed with umami it elevates any dish/stew ! I also recommend to get high quality organic soy sauce

[@KH-ik3jg]

I brought several items from your recommendations. Yes to a snack content video.

[@angelamapa2529]

A lot of these are my regular purchases. I think my husband would like amazake :) Looking forward to the video for snacks :D

[@elaineporter182]

Thanks!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Thank you so much!

[@deniselau6637]

I loved this video. It was super interesting. Can you make more of these videos?

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I definitely will! Thanks for the request 😊

[@stevesmodelbuilds5473]

We're going to Tokyo and Shizuoka in December, so this is so helpful. These are great tips -- and Jack Cat loves your nails! 😎

[@KC_NZ]

Your cadence is so natural. You're pretty much fluent in English!!

[@トウトウ-k4p]

Great video! I live in Japan but I love to learn what ingredients and items Japanese people buy and how they use them. It's also interesting to see how my tastes change over time. When I first came to Japan, I didn't like wakame or nori very much, and I was definitely not a fan of mugicha. But now I really enjoy them! An ice cold glass of mugicha in the summer is perfect. I also didn't like furikake the first time, but I guess it's time to give it another try. Thank you!

[@catsandbats77]

Red bean soup sounds fantastic. I love read bean paste.

[@heatherfling7820]

Thank You. I am so curious about Japanese cuisine and snacks. Watching from Colorado USA 🇺🇸 ♥️

[@arcybarrios]

Snacks!! Yes!!!! Watching that video after finishing this one

[@susanpurcell3120]

Morning from the U.K and OMG it's amazing and interesting viewing, I wish we had some shops over here.I have always been interested in Japanese History and Culture, thank you for explaining everything ❤❤❤

[@tiffanydawson1748]

Awesome video! Thank you!❤

[@annnneeeeee]

Yes, please make a snacks video!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it!! 👍

[@behemothsbaby]

I love ume paste and yuzu kosho so much that I have 500g packs in my fridge! I love shio koji for marinating food as well!

[@asfinland]

Really good ideas about what to buy, and those are very practical to pack in the luggage.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I'm glad you think so!

[@MLDSteadman]

I drink a lot of mugicha. It can be brewed in cold or boiling water (a bit of a stronger flavor in boiling). Amazon carries it if I run out, although the price is *much* higher.

[@ninadaon1077]

Yes, a snacks video. I want to bring snacks as presents to my grandchildren (all ages).

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it! 👍

[@lzakje]

Thank you very much Sarah, notes taken! :) What dies Mugicha taste like? Anything you could reference it to? Would be great to have such a video also about Japanese snacks that are vegan.. I know it is a challenging task, but perhaps there are some typical items? A part from those, that you already mentioned in the video.

[@tigerglobal8226]

Thank you for your sharing. From Vancouver ❤❤❤

[@IceCream-hp7mm]

The red bean paste soup and amasake look interesting, please do the supermarket snacks as well. May I suggest another video for things to try that won't travel well but can be kept in the hotel fridge for late night munchies.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Ohhh that's a great video idea! Thank you!!

[@yosoykibbles]

this is amazing! thank You!

[@dominichill1492]

Japanese super markets are the best. Sarah thinking you for always exploring the new spots in all of Tokyo. Sarah you are my favorite youtuber.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Thank you so much!

[@dominichill1492]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah welcome

[@ceciliaminaful]

I love the Dango from the oshiruko, do you know if there is some dango sold separately? I really enjoyed this video! Greetings from Brazil

[@patriciamurashige6879]

I once bought food stuffs to take home to Hawaii… half of what I bought was taken away due to certain restrictions. I heard no beef products.. any type of beef. If it said beef product on packaging dont bring back to Hawai. So I made sure no beef in labeling. I had cup ramens taken away about 10 of the,😢😢😢😢

[@SuperFlo8888]

They took away all 15 bags herbals tea too! Because their had dry citrus skin, that is not allowed and bring to USA! But we can found it in China town!

[@wilflambo8102]

Excellent video. I watched it twice and took pictures. Thank you.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I'll make sure to have more close-up & stable moments next time so it would be clearer in photos/screenshots!

[@annamara9741]

Such a cool video! If only I had found it before my last trip to Japan. ;)

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Next time!

[@hwrdgrn]

I just returned from my local Japanese supermarket with a bag of groceries in the front basket of my bicycle. I do this trip twice a week, and it is better exercise than going to the gym. What is not mentioned in this video is the superior selection of fresh vegetables and a very large selection of fresh, not frozen fish. Did you know that there are dozens of different kinds of tofu, but no large boxes of sugary sweet breakfast cereal ? The grocery store that I go to has a rest area where you can sit and relax with a cup of gratis green tea, and free bottled water. You just need to bring your own bottle. In front of the grocery, there is a comprehensive recycling area, where you can safely dispose of all your used packaging according to type. In comparison, my local grocery store in Florida comes nowhere near this level of service and convenience.

[@hwrdgrn]

What I like most of all is that the grocery store has a special area within the produce section which is dedicated to seasonal vegetables grown by local farmers. This, in fact, is the most popular section as prices are lower and occasionally I meet the farmers who restock this section themselves.

[@barbarafunke1426]

I will definitely look for the Mugicha.

[@johanwiner9316]

Going to Japan soon. Will make sure to buy some of these. Thanks.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Enjoy Japan! 🇯🇵

[@Z77go]

This might be a dumb question, but could you recommend some famous grocery stores in Japan? Maybe like a famous grocery chain that usually has big grocery stores? Thank you!

[@freelancerreaper2253]

I’m going to Japan in a year and I’m anxious about it so I’m already doing my research on what to eat so this was helpful

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Wow so prepared!!

[@freelancerreaper2253]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah also what foods don’t have peanuts in them? I have an allergy

[@saniyachan]

What a useful video! And I love your presentation style. Thank you, looking forward to more videos 😊

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Wow thank you so much!

[@muslihatkedua7422]

i love it thank you! do you have any recomendation on good shop/store that we have to visit in tokyo? i dont want to buy souveniers from the side of the street it way too touristy

[@tonyinhk888]

Big thanks to your great suggestions, so other than wagashi, cakes and chocolates, I have other foods to buy next time in Japan

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Glad you found it useful!

[@sandraa38]

Oh Sarah, I am so glad I ended up on your channel. Would love to meet you when I am in Tokyo this November. I could bring you Dutch snacks hahaha maybe you could try the stroopwafels :p or Tony Chocolonely chocolates. It was funny you mentioned someone here asked you to bring stuff from Japan as I also do that. LOVE LOVE Japan. Thank you for the suggestions.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Welcome to the channel!! 🙌 I LOOOOVE Stroopwafels!! They're my favourite Dutch snack! I bought so many packs at AH to bring back to Japan every time I visited Amsterdam 😂 Tony chocolates were great souvenirs too! I made a few videos in the Netherlands in the past, and you might appreciate this one... 😂: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoXPhoeei9Z5mqs

[@sandraa38]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah Wahahahahah OMG!! The video you suggested made my day 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 you are so brave! How did you dare trying that sushi. I really felt so embarrased for the AH sushi, the rice is so bad 😂 i cannot. Since I went to Japan i dont buy supermarket sushi anymore wahaha my life changed in Japan. Glad to know you love the stroopwafels! I have been binge watching your videos

[@Dangic23]

This is very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to explain them.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matshagonius6022]

You made my day.... 🥰🥰🥰

[@yung-mingman2918]

Yes snacks video please👍

[@AI-MusicPlanet]

78K views....I would be tempted to do all videos like this one, but who want's to do the same thing all the time🙂 Keep up the variety Sarah, I have been here since your NiziU debut reaction.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I read this soon after you commented it and you don’t know how much it means to me 😭😭😭 it’s really hard to get views nowadays on KZbin so I was struggling and then here comes the well performing video. I will do a few more videos to see how it does, but I’ll definitely keep some variety! I’d much rather loyal viewers like you enjoy my content than care too much about getting views. Thank you so much for making me realize this again and thank you for following my channel for so long 🥹

[@mailyc.582]

Great video ❤

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Thank you so much! 😄

[@ilubnerds102]

I’d love to know what super markets you recommend as well! Great video btw 😊

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Oh that's a good idea for a video too! The large chains are Aeon, Seiyu, Life and Ito Yokado in Tokyo. You'll find great variety of products in these supermarkets.

[@il_escriber]

Mugi-cha and bonito furikake are my usual go-to items.... and also shio-matcha which goes very well with Ebi Tempura :) 😁😁😁. Great content as always, Sarah-san!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Ohhh great choices 😍 Do you make ebi tempura? Or can you buy them??

[@il_escriber]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah The tempura, I make them :). the matcha salt sometimes I make them myself but I was given a bottle which was is more convenient 😁

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Oh wow you make the tempura!! Such a PRO 😆

[@steveforbes8287]

That was an interesting video. I am hoping to move to Japan in the not too distant future so I can enjoy those things at their source. Until then, I have an Asian market that can source much of those items for me. If I may be so bold, you are a lovely lady and your command of the English language is excellent. I'm certain that you are a splendid guide to those who make use of your services. Perhaps, once I get there, I will also look for your guidance. Thank you for a nice and well done video.

[@conchitallacer1279]

Thank you for sharing … now I can try going to Japanese supermarkets. I always want to go but don’t know what to get 😊

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Glad this video helped!

[@shiroboyy]

Very informative 😊

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Glad you liked it!

[@JL-rj5jx]

More information and on japanese food please plus cook it and show final dish good job❤😊

[@lipsyncsxk]

Would love to see snack section

[@kittymarch8455]

Thanks so much! There is a little Japanese grocery store that opened in my New England town. I want to try things, but I don’t even really know what the possibilities are.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

It’s so exciting you have a Japanese grocery store near you! 🤩

[@kilap13]

So helpful❤❤

[@chisol3508]

Thanks for this very helpful video! Yes pls cover snacks if you can

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it!! 👍

[@maoeast]

Love this.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Thank you! 🙌

[@cobiyamamoto5005]

I just came back from Tokyo and on this past trip we went to Seiyu and Summit grocery stores for the first time. We were looking for Myojo instant ramen that were collaborations with Chinese restaurants in Japan. We loved going through each aisle of the grocery stores and also bought some bentos. Our next trip we will be visiting grocery stores again and we will also look for the items in this video. Thanks!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I love going to local supermarkets when I travel abroad 😍 I wish I made this video earlier so you could buy some of these products when you were in Japan!!

[@cobiyamamoto5005]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah No worries, I’m going back to Tokyo in October and December😊👍

[@SoulmateParis]

I usually add a little bit of meat, onion, or nasu, etc., to the ready-made curry and it’s delicious! But you need japanese rice to get the real thing lol!

[@dealman3312]

Love your channel. Subbed 👍

[@cherkhawa]

Could you consider to make a video on where to buy simple traditional Japanese eating ware (inexpensive🤣)? Thank you!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I recommend 100 yen stores (Daiso, Seria, etc.) and 3 coins! I made a video a few years on them so do check it out! Seria haul: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y56moX95d9N7fac 3 coins haul: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKSxfnudd5x9Y6s

[@lucylucky9430]

Can you do a video for just snacks? Please 🥺 (if possible, please include savory options)

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it! 👍 I'll definitely include savory options!

[@NavyAng]

Please show the best snacks a tourist should try

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it!!

[@SKYsLOUNGE]

Love this video❤ Snacks and instant noodles from supermarket next please.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it! Instant noodles is a great idea!

[@flaviospadavecchia5126]

めっちゃ食べたくなっちゃった〜

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

どれも便利でいいですよね〜

[@HotInTheCity]

Nice video Sarah. I try to buy food products as souvenirs when I go abroad. They have some of the pasta seasoning packets in the U.S., sold at Asian or Japanese markets. Quite pricey nowadays. Have not seen the uni ones, so that flavor will be on a future shopping list. Yes, please show snacks you recommend. Maybe also useful household products that are common in Japan, but rare overseas?

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Ohhhh household products! I never thought about that so thanks for the idea!!

[@halilozel1903]

Japanese supermarkets are a treasure trove! 🛒🍣 Don’t miss out on matcha treats 🍵, authentic soy sauce 🥢, and unique rice crackers 🍘. Stock up on instant ramen 🍜 for quick meals or pick up sushi-grade fish for homemade sushi night 🎣🍙. For souvenirs, grab adorable bento accessories 🍱 or beautifully packaged sweets 🎁. And if you love cooking, Japanese curry blocks 🍛 and miso paste are must-haves! 🧑‍🍳✨ Fyi.

[@AI-MusicPlanet]

so detailed! I would expect nothing less 🙂

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Thank you! My aim is to become a queen of details 😆😂😈 LOL

[@コッチコヨーテ]

フリカケはバター塗ったトーストにかけても美味しい😋

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

美味しそう！！今度やってみます🙌

[@estelleo703]

Thank you this is so useful for my first trip from the UK to Japan. I also buy a green tea from Costco really the best and it is Ito en brand. I will have to try the Mugicha it sounds interesting thank you.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Itoen never disappoints! 😆

[@rlynvicente4313]

I love mugicha, I drink it everyday, a traditional chinese medicine doctor recommended it to me. Definitely will buy it when I go to JP this coming NOV.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Oh that's so cool that your Chinese medicine doctor recommended it to you!

[@silverdreamer-i2t]

Thanks for the video! The yuzu kosho and moromi miso sound really good! Is there anything from the UK that you miss/crave? This falls outside the parameters of your video and isn't something most people would want to bring back, but I try to get the boss cafe concentrated coffee. I keep it in the fridge and find it convenient in the summer.

[@oh.themoon]

Hello! Thank you for the recommendation. If possible, next time, i hope you can add the prices of each item. 😊

[@gky7170]

I love your informative videos - perhaps someday you can do some sweets/savory recommendations at the depachikas which are amazing in Japan!! Hankyu in Osaka even carries my favorite Demel's treats esp at Christmas time (though nothing substitutes for actually noshing in their cafe in Vienna IMHO).

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I've made a video on souvenirs you can get from Tokyo station before! You can find some of them at depachika too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/paPUYZSshJJpr7s But I'll make more of these souvenir videos including depachika in the near future!

[@chazeljoaquin1387]

I love ponzu sauce, is there a brand you can recommend?

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

The most classic one you can get from a supermarket is Mizkan! There are several types of Mizkan ponzu, but this one is the classic: www.mizkan.co.jp/product/group/?gid=05001

[@SkyeAten]

This was super helpful! But I'm struggling to get into cooking here because actually the ingredients are so different. Could you go into more depth about what to buy from a grocery store to be able to cook cheap, easy weekly meals in Japan? And also how to store and how long items last after opening is also confusing here. Most of the time it says "consume as soon as possible". But what does that mean? Do I have 1 or 2 days? 3 or 4 days?? Just a few hours?

[@sherilewis8642]

Yes! Snacks!

[@noway7555]

Yes please do a video of snacks and candy.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it!! 👍

[@MrNgMichael]

I feel lucky that in Los Angeles, there are a few Japanese Markets that carry 95% of the things you showed, albeit they charge like almost double the cost from Tokyo. I like buying the fluffy soufflé pancake mixes (the morinaga brand) that isn't sold here :(, also all the instant Yakisoba and Cup Ramen that isn't sold here as well.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Oh it's surprising to hear you can't find instant yakisoba and cup ramen!

[@MrNgMichael]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah There is that here, but very limited flavors and brands. For Yakisoba, I only see the Americanized Maruchan flavors (Chicken and Teriyaki) and for made in Japan, there's only the Myojo Ippeichan brand. The Curry/seafood cup noodles are also made in the US but the texture of the potatoes and soup is not the same. The American one is a bit thin. I also like the cheese curry and the Ninniku Tonkotsu one have been my favorite that are only available in Japan. We do have more flavors here, but they're very Americanized. Nissin has a "cup noodles Stirfry" line, and Maruchan has their "Instant Lunch" lineup

[@gabemik]

Thank you for this! The shiro konbu with ice cream reminds me of my favorite way to have watermellon, with a little salt. So next time you have watermellon, maybe try a little shiro konbu on a piece for that wonderful mix of seet and salty!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Ohhhh that would be such an interesting & new combination!! 😆

[@gabemik]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah When you try it, do let us know what you think! 🤔

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Guess what... I made into a Shorts video!! 😂😂 kzbin.infozXhR0SqhtRM

[@gabemik]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah 😍🤩😃

[@Gee-xs8rc]

Thank you so much for this!! I'm visiting Japan in November and was wondering what fun to cook foods to bring back!! Yes pls, do a snack episode too🥺 Also I'm sicilian and we make sea urchin pasta too haha

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it!! 👍 Oh thanks for mentioning that you make sea urchin pasta 😂😂

[@imms730]

thanks for the recommendation! i would like to know what steak sauce you recommend to buy?

[@Aki-yn4pg]

Greetings from Singapore 🇸🇬 !I love Japanese products because of their high quality . I shop for Japanese products at DON DONKI and I must say we have to pay almost 3 times the price compared to buying in Japan. Strange that the Japanese don’t use actual garlic and ginger but prefer to use it packaged in tubes! 😅

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Japanese food overseas is so expensive 😢 We do still use fresh garlic and ginger! But I don't use it very often, so the tubed ones last a lot longer! 😆

[@mspiyamas]

Great vdo

[@umistry2]

How is japan in january weather wise? 😊

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I'd say usually about 0-10 degrees and it rarely snows in Tokyo! It's VERY different depending on the prefecture though

[@umistry2]

@@TokyoFoodieSarah thank you 😊

[@MrAbrandao]

would be lovely if you give some dishes receipts

[@whitishdawn]

Is there a good online supermarker site to use with tenso (or proxy purchasing service)?

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

I don't know any supermarket that ships overseas, but some products on Rakuten ship overseas. Maybe that's worth having a look!

[@beitodesstrafe]

Thank you, Sarah!

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

You are so welcome!

[@martsee]

Yes, on snacks.

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Got it!! 👍

[@mcrmagatjedmund]

snacks too please :)

[@formernorcal2530]

great video

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

Thank you!

[@abelgerli]

Hijiki i miss it a lot 😎

[@wrench1674]

I have a question, In America we have this kinda orangey sauce we get at hibachi restaurants called Yum Yum sauce or shrimp sauce depending on the restaurant and I was wondering if thats a thing in Japan or if thats an Americanized thing with Japanese food?

[@miguelabadilla5396]

What can i buy to make miso soup at home thanks

[@TokyoFoodieSarah]

You can buy a pack of miso, powdered dashi and some dried Wakana seaweed! At home you can get some tofu and that would make tofu miso soup!

[@HappySwedishPancake]

You aren't allowed to bring meat products to the EU, they might throw everything away at customs and you might get a fine if it's large quantities. Also that hondashi brand is mostly salt and msg. Ask for a better one😉