best stores to get food souvenirs in Japan | みんな愛しい馬の骨

さらっと見る目次

1. Seijo Ishii (成城石井)
2. Kinokuniya (紀伊國屋)
food souvenirs photo gallery

[The first two sections of this post is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter, which I human-write in Japanese and in English.]

A friend visiting Japan asked me where to buy snacks and food souvenirs to bring back home. She’s been to Don Quijote (aka Donki) a few times. What other stores should she try?

I came up with two. If you combine these with Don Quijote, you’ll end up with a nice variety. Here, I’ll share two supermarket chains. These shops are easy to find, and the food is delicious. A quick search confirmed my suspicion: Seijo Ishii and Kinokuniya hardly show up in non-Japanese-language sources. Good. I feel smug about it.

1. Seijo Ishii (成城石井)

Seijo Ishii is a gourmet supermarket chain with 216 stores across Japan. I’ve been sending care packages to my sister and her family in the United States for decades. The largest share of items in those cardboard boxes comes from this store: sweet snacks, salty snacks, mochi, tea, special ramen toppings you can’t find elsewhere… Just go there.

In Seijo Ishii’s older stores, aisles are extremely narrow, and you’ll likely bump up against older Japanese ladies, which is practically a tradition there. If that happens, just say sorry and carry on.

On a side note, they have an incredible selection of delicious, ready-to-eat, refrigerated house-brand options at reasonable prices. Don’t miss the dessert section. Your hotel room has a little fridge, doesn’t it? Well then. Go for it.

2. Kinokuniya (紀伊國屋)

Kinokuniya is an upscale supermarket chain. Many people think it’s too expensive and stay away. Yes, you’ll find exorbitantly priced items there (and they’re fun to look at), but they also carry many moderately priced items. And they taste REALLY good. Look for their house-brand products with the signature Kinokuniya-patterned label.

Again: sweet snacks, salty snacks, cakes, cookies, amazing grilled marinated fish flakes in glass jars, special furikakes… just go there. My sister gets a box full of Kinokuniya goodies on special occasions. Since you’re here, you might as well buy a cheap suitcase at Donki and bring them home.

My friend Mme. K has been shopping at Kinokuniya forever: “I always get fresh pineapple there. Not expensive at all. They have the best pineapple.”

food souvenirs photo gallery

Left: chocolate-covered wild grape jelly, Right: chocolate covered mango jelly (right)

Left: dark grape jelly, Right: chocolate-covered caramel + macadamia nut

Mochi truffles ganache (above) and mochi truffles “Italian pudding” courtesy of a vending machine at my train station

Ramen recommended to me by a stranger

A few years ago, I was at the instant ramen aisle of my supermarket, looking to score good stuff for a friend. This guy is standing with his arms crossed, legs apart, eyes closed. Okay, I thought, a great place to meditate.

His eyes opened, not because his animal instinct detected the presence of another human, but because he had reached a decision. His body sprang into motion: he grabbed two bags of this ramen, three bags of that, one bag of another, until he seemed satisfied. I seized the moment and asked if he would please help me pick something for a ramen-loving friend overseas.

Ramen aisle monk: How long has she been away from Japan?

(Huh? How does that have anything to do with ramen?”)

Me: Two and a half years.

Him: Hm. This one was released last year. She hasn’t tried this one yet. And it tastes the best. I recommend miso flavor.

One never knows where they’ll hit the ramen-expert jackpot.

Another new release he recommended.