Hi. I'll be in Japan for a few weeks. I already know I want some curries, dashi, karashi, and furikake. What else am I missing that is good, I can bring in my luggage, and is hard to get/expensive in the west?
I live in Spain, for reference.
Posted Oct 12, 2019, 7:27 AM UTC
Dried noodles (no powder or sauce packets) of harusame or konnyaku if you can find them. Dried konnyaku noodles are really hard to find. But worth it over the regular ones in the liquid coagulant. Otherwise sadly the best things from japan are only able to be eaten there. Authentic cuisine of sushi, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, nikuman, and western style bakeries a la Japanese style. You should go to mister donuts for sure.
Went there earlier today, donuts did not disappoint.
I live in Japan, so I'm not sure what you can't get. But, I would recommend flavored salts, like konbu salt or yuzu salt. Great with tempura! Also, I'm very fond of ume-konbu cha -- not the mushroom, but rather powdered seaweed and dried ume. It tastes more like a broth than tea.
Speaking of which, many tea shops pass out samples of freshly brewed tea. Try it, and if you like it, buy it.
At the airport, there's Tokyo Banana -- a cream-filled sponge cake. The same company also makes a strangely addicting strawberry langue de chat cookie. Goes great with green tea, and you might br able to sample before you buy.
Oh, and if you get dashi, you'll probably want a good miso.
Oh man, I didn't even know yuzu salt was a thing. That sounds awesome.
Hard to comment for those of us who don't know what's difficult to get in Spain. Those things you mentioned aren't particularly difficult to get at least here in the US.
If you're going to be spending time in Tokyo maybe plan on checking out Kappabashi-dori and just see what strikes you
Thanks for the reply. For sure I can get all of this back home, it's just double or triple the price, or I would have less variety to choose from. In general, western Europe and the US are not too dissimilar in terms of what you can find, but prices vary.
Gotcha.
On your list I guess the thing I'm confused about is dashi. You mean like instant dashi? The granules? I wouldn't go out of my way to bring those back. Katsuobushi on the other hand, to make real dashi with - that's good.
Arai and Shoei helmets?
If you’re into anime, Akihabara has a huge selection of action figures.
Waifu
I also live in Japan, hit up a Kuzu Fuke & Co. They have all kinds of dope stuff, the little jars of miso they have are great, they're a condiment not for making soup. They have garlic and charred green onion and Shishito pepper ones. They're all super good. Also, taberu rayu is THE shit, it's a chili and garlic oil condiment that's killer on rice, with chunks of crunchy garlic, so delicious. Most major train stations will have local food souvenirs that are usually awesome. Not sure where you're going to be but if you do any road trips hit up a Michi no eki, they usually have local stuff. Look up the areas you'll be and find out what they're known for, everywhere has a specialty. Buy that. Another tip, It's not Japanese but a lot of the big scotch distilleries are owned by Japanese companies now so good Scotch is cheap like nearly 50% of the price it is in Canada anyways. Obviously sake as well.
A ninja. Be careful though, they’re wiley
Dried umeboshi. The weirdest dried mushrooms you can get your hands on. Cute crap from a Daiso.
Knives and real wasabi.
Katsuobushi