Friday, August 22, 2008

Beyond Sushi

Sometimes I love grocery shopping more than I love shopping for clothes.

Today was one of those days. Lately, all the stores I go into at Ala Moana Shopping Center either bore me with their selection and quality (Forever 21) or are way out of my price range (gray Phillip Lim zippered cardigan I want you!)

The only place I got excited at was Shirokiya. My body got so confused in there because I wasn't hungry, but all of a sudden I wanted to buy sushi bentos, salted salmon bellies and nishime. I wandered through the aisles touching the goodies and getting weird looks from the chefs because I walked by a million times. Then when I was heading home I saw that the new Japanese grocery store, Nijiya Market, finally opened! More excitement for me and more confusion for my belly!

Here's the damage, click on the links to learn more:

1. Japanese Baumkuchen Coffee Cake: Soft, rich and sweet. I couldn't stop myself from taking a bite (or five) before taking a picture. (Nijiya)
2. Hello Panda treats: I used to love these little guys when I was little! There are pandas printed on these chocolate filled crackers. (Shirokiya)
3. Umeboshi Chazuke: Chazuke is one my favorite foods! Make some rice, add hot green tea and then your seasonings. This is also really good when you're sick because the rice is easy to eat and the green tea is good for you. (Nijiya)
4. Lychee Sake- I love lychee martinis, so I was eager to try this out. This sake is a wee bit too sweet, but still good. (Nijiya)
5. Tofu: Simple and delicious. Just add shoyu. (Nijiya)
6. Warabe Mochi w/ Cocoa Powder: Super smooth and delicate. Best mochi I've had in awhile, I think I'm gonna go back and get the kinako flavor. (Shirokiya)

Now I'm gonna stuff my face and watch the Olympics.

11 comments:

this modern love said...

Aw... the Hello Pandas... I'd buy them for the packaging alone.

Apart from the odd bit of sushi here and there, I don't honestly think I've ever had Japanese food. This post makes me want to go hunt some down...

Bobble Bee said...

Ah... the pleasure of grocery shopping! i have it myself too... i guess it puts us back to our ancient genes when women used to scattered the earth in the search of the best veggies to eat

Anonymous said...

i love shirokiya! it hasn't hit me until now how junk it is that they closed in pearlridge like ages ago. =/ haha. i used to go there all the time when it was in pearlridge. their food is awesome!

Sheryl said...

oh fooooood. why must i be reading ur lovely post on food, especially japanese when i'm dying from hunger here?!!! argh torture !

the Launderette said...

oooh it all looks so good...especially the mochi! i've never had hello panda, but i'm a big fan of koala march. cool blog!

L said...

I feel the exact same way when I'm shopping for dishware...or house wares in general! It's my inner Martha Stewart, I tell you.

DaisyChain said...

I love Hello Pandas!

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way when I shop at Uwajimaya.

The Likkle Girl Who Wurves Pwetty Things said...

Hello Katlin,
Hello Panda! Yum! Have you tried the strawberry and vanilla ones? You must love Pocky too?

Ariel said...

Oo, that looks so good. I love it when people take pictures of food.

SOTTO boutique said...

YUM. I love those Hello Panda treats. My childhood was filled with the Yan Yan stick memories.