Japanese food/cuisine?

Question

Where can i buy japanese foods and seasonings and where can i buy japanese china and utensils without going to an asian market?

Answer 1

Whole Foods, Meier, those sort of stores should have basic ingredients.  It's possible they will have some utensils and dishes but unlikely.  You can try Cost Plus World Market if you have one of those.  Also google "japanese dishes" and you'll find all sort of online sources.

Answer 2

Your supermarket should have a few things in the international section, other wise I would check out Williams-Sonoma, Wegman's, le gourmet chef, whole foods, trader joes, etc.

Answer 3

why not an asian market huh?

Answer 4

Depends on exactly what you're looking for, but I find most things I need for Japanese cuisine at World Market.  All you can get at Meijer is rice and soy sauce.

Answer 5

I hate to say it, but the best place to go really is an Asian Market.  I'm not close to one either, so once a month I take a cooler and stock up.  I make a day of it out there with my friends.  The food is also cheaper at Asian markets than supermarkets.

But if you can't do that, you'll be able to find some things in your local supermarket, just not the rarer produce.  The larger the store, the better.  But if you go the supermarket route, be EXTRA careful to read the back of the label.  When Asian food started getting really popular, a bunch of other manufacturers started getting in the game.  They use sub-par ingredients like high fructose syrup and there's nothing grosser than that imitation soy sauce that La Choy tries to pass as real.

(When I was living in Ohio Giant Eagle was a great store but I don't know where you live.)   Any large supermarket will have the basics.   You'll find dry ingredients, rice wine, rice vinegar, and some sauces.  You can find some spice mixes, proper Asian rice and noodles, canned foods, and more.  I've even found panko, curry mixes, and Ramune at a supermarket.   Do a little research.  Find some recipes that look good, see what's in them, and buy the components.  For example, homemade Pad Thai sauce is a MILLION times better than jarred.  But some of the jarred sauces aren't bad.  But if you buy those, look at the label and make sure they're correct.  One company puts tomato paste in their Pad Thai sauce.  Yuck!  'All natural' on the label is usually a good sign.

As for china and utensils, that's much easier.  Try the yellow pages (online and offline) under furniture.  Stores that specialize in Asian furniture will usually have a section for tea sets and tablesets.  I got some tea sets and chopsticks and even a calligraphy set from a furniture store in a Mall.  Ebay is a goldmine, if you can order online.  I've bought tea sets and plates on line.  Mrs. Lin's Kitchen is a good site.  I've ordered tableware, cookware, sake sets, and  even some food from them.  They also have a clearance section.  There are other online stores and grocers.

You can also find somethings at ordinary furniture stores.  I know Pier 1 has some Japanese-inspired and made-in-Japan cookware.

Answer 6

Near downtown, if you are in houston...