I love Japanese food more than any other cuisine (ohhh… although I also do love a good Indian Curry too….) and I’m definitely spoilt by the quality of Japanese food – even when at the train station, for example.
However, there are some foods that aren’t as accessible as they are overseas – and although I am glad about that sometimes as it makes it extra exciting that not everywhere in the world is the same, there are certain parts of the supermarket (or my Mum’s pantry & fridge if in Australia) that I head to first when overseas.
1. DIPS
Maybe it’s just an Australian thing but almost everyone in Oz starts a party or a fun meal out with a nice spread with Baba Ganoush, Hommus, Red Capsicum (my fave!) , Onion and Spinach Dip etc.
Its just not a thing to have dips in Tokyo – although I have found Hommus in the International Supermarkets like National Azabu or at Costco, its not easy to come across other types – and if I have, its often needs to be defrosted…not quite the same.
If you’re in Tokyo and need a dip fix, I highly recommend eating out at Ta-im in Ebisu (make a reservation, this place is a squishy gem.)
2. FRUIT
When I was in high school we had a lot of Japanese exchange students stay with us and we would always have a little giggle at how they would get so excited by fruit. All those fruit photos, man! But not. who do you think I am when I’m back in Australia or holidaying in other parts of Asia now? I’m that lady taking selfies with watermelon and passionfruit.
Those rumours about all Japanese fruit being hundreds of dollars are not true (although you can buy fancy pancy crazy expensive fruit in food hall of Takashimaya Department Stores or at Nishimura Fruit Parlor near Shibuya Crossing (read about that here)
but …. we certainly do have access too and love our local fruit’n’veg shop in Tokyo.
I also love the Farmers Market at UNU on the weekends (read about that here.)
But I do miss buying fruit in large amounts and the colourful fruit is not as easy to find like mangoes and apricots and blood plums and passionfruit etc. and these kinds of fruits – when I can find them? Are definitely more expensive than I am used to.
And its not like you for can just put a cantaloupe in your suitcase right?
Here is some proof that Japanese fruit isn’t always crazily expensive though.
3. CHEESE
In my mid-twenties I got to attend a trip with Japanese ballet students as their care-taker and interpreter.
Our hotel had a continental breakfast included and they surely changed the menu once I left. I ate ALL the cheese. Every single day. It is possible to get your hands on lots of fancy cheese here – but not as easily as in other countries and the price tag often shocks me ( to be honest, cheese can get pricey in a lot of places though, right?)
I particularly miss having access to Halloumi – which I LOVED to eat so much when we lived in Johannesburg.
4. SOUP
Maybe its because Australians almost always have a ‘Soup of the Day’ offered in Pubs (and in the UK, for that matter) but I really miss a good soup in Japan. We do make a lot of our own but we do get a bit tired of a tiny bowl or the same 3-4 soups that you may come across in Japan as part of a lunch set. Corn soup, Pumpkin soup, Consommé soup and occasionally a teeny Mushroom soup.
5. SALADS
Some salad chains have started to open up in Tokyo but salads are yet to really be a thing. They will be…just not quite yet. My husband and I LOVE a good salad when we are on holidays in the States, other parts of Asia and Australia. So much.
6. DIFFERENT KINDS OF WINE OPTIONS
I’m from Australia and even in the dingiest of grubbiest pubs you’ll have an option of more than one type of wine.
In a fancy-pants restaurant in Japan of course you will but elsewhere? You’ll be asked if you’d like a glass of a white or a red… the end. Sometimes…and only sometimes you’ll get the option of a dry white ( karaguchi 辛口） or a sweet white （amaguchi 甘口）
7. COUNTRY SPECIFIC FOODS
My hubby and I miss these foods but also… these are then kinds of foods that are country specific and there is something special about the wait for them.
For me it is REAL Milo, Allens lollies, Golden Syrup, Coles Roast Capsicum Dip, Chocolate licorice bullets…
For Hubby it is Haggis, Galaxy chocolate, Irn Bru….
If you like this post, I think you’ll also like my post on things that I stock up on when I’m not in Japan.
