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Resource: Japan Centre

Top 16 Must-have 
in Japanese Supermarkets

When travelling to Japan, visiting supermarkets is a must-do activity. From family regularly consuming Japanese foods like grains, seasonings, miso, and mushrooms, to iconic Japanese desserts like Matcha cake. Japanese supermarkets are so enjoyable to wander around. It’s easy to get lost in the allure of shopping!

 

The good news is that you can find nearly all the ingredients needed for authentic Japanese recipes within the UK, including seafood, vegetables, noodles, Okonomiyaki flour, and other essential cooking ingredients. If you've recently returned from Japan, you might notice the prices are a bit higher than you're used to. However, you can still enjoy cooking those Japanese dishes you're craving. Here are some staples we typically purchase. Besides instant noodles, snacks, and sweets, there are many other must-buy items in Japanese supermarkets.

 

 Happy shopping!

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Shabu Shabu

Shabu Shabu, along with Sukiyaki, is one of Japan’s most renowned hot pot dishes. The name “shabu shabu” is derived from the Japanese onomatopoeia mimicking the sound of vegetables and meat being swished in the hot pot. This dish offers a delightful dining experience where everyone gathers around the table to cook and chat. It’s a communal meal that not only satisfies appetites but also brings people closer together.

  • 16. Kombu Dashi:  Dashi (出汁, だし) is a fundamental component in Japanese cuisine, used in various dishes like miso soup, noodle soups, and simmered dishes.

  • The most common type is kombu and katsuo dashi (昆布鲣鱼高汤). For shabu shabu, we use kombu dashi, a vegetarian broth made with kombu (kelp). It's incredibly easy to prepare: simply drop a piece of kombu into a pot of water and let it steep. That's all it takes!

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Wel-Pac Dried Dashi

Kombu Kelp

Shimaya Katsuo Bonito

Dashi Stock Powder

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Kikkoman Sesame Sauce

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Bell Daikon Radish Oroshi

Shabu Shabu Sauce

Uchibori Ponzu Citrus

Seasoned Soy Sauce

  • 15. Diping Sauces: For shabu shabu, we typically provide each person with dipping sauces to enhance the flavour of the cooked ingredients.

  • The most popular sauces are ponzu sauce, a tangy citrus-based sauce, and sesame sauce, a rich, creamy sauce made from ground sesame seeds. Each sauce offers a unique taste experience that complements the meat and vegetables, allowing diners to customize their bites to their preference.

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yakisoba

Yaki soba

Yakisoba, a popular Japanese street food, is a must-try! If you can't regularly visit Japan, why not make it at home? It's quite simple and easy to prepare. The dish is made by stir-frying Chinese-style noodles with pork and a variety of vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, onions, and bean sprouts. Traditionally, yakisoba is flavoured with a spicy soy sauce, but in recent years, many recipes have used salt for seasoning as well.

  • 14. Red Ginger: Beni Shoga (紅生姜) is a type of Japanese pickled ginger commonly used as a condiment for sushi or gyudon (beef bowls). It's meant to cleanse the palate and change the flavour in your mouth. Additionally, it can be mixed into sushi rice to enhance texture and taste.

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J-Basket Kizami Red Pickled Ginger

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J-Basket Yakisoba Noodles

  • 13. Yakisoba Noodles: Let's start with this sealed pack of par-boiled yakisoba noodles, simply wheat noodles, but insanely delicious.

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  • 12.  Yakisoba Sauce: Whip up delicious fried noodle dishes with ease. To capture the authentically irresistible taste of Japan's famous yakisoba and yakiudon, you'll need a sauce as fruity and umami-rich as this savoury-sweet yakisoba sauce.

  • Made from a juicy fruits and soy sauce blend, it delivers a rich, barbecue flavour with a perfect salty depth and smooth consistency.

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Otafuku Yakisoba Sauce

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miso soup

Miso Soup

  • 11. Miso Soup pack: Convenient Mixed Soup Ingredients: Stocking up on dried soup ingredients at home is a good idea if you regularly make miso soup. Sometimes I buy seaweed and wheat gluten separately, but the mixed packs are even more convenient since one pack has everything you need.

  • 10. Frozen Tofu: A Must for Miso Soup Japanese frozen tofu has a dense texture and can be directly added to miso soup or other soupy dishes. When it absorbs the broth, it becomes particularly delicious.

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Resource: "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Ordering in Japan"《日本點餐完全圖解》

* When choosing miso, it's important to select the lighter-coloured "white miso," as the darker "red miso" tends to have a much stronger flavour.

  • 9. Seaweed: Seaweed is packed full of natural umami, making it ideal both as a garnish for miso and other soups and as part of a seaweed salad.

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Japanese Curry

  • 8. Japanese Curry Blocks: With just a few simple steps and the right ingredients, you can enjoy a delicious curry meal. Recently, new varieties have emerged, including double-layered mixed flavours and curry with added seasoning paste, which are worth trying.

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S&B Torokeru Curry

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House Java Curry

  • 7. Japanese Rice: There are many types of white rice, but the Japanese soft, sweet short-grain wins the game. Great rice needs a big day-night temperature difference, fertile soil, and clean water. Japanese Farmers work hard to perfect their crops.

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We're looking at:

  • Compact shape after cooking

  • Light fragrance and sweetnessSoft, chewy 

  • The right amount of stickiness and texture comes from the balance of amylose and amylopectin.  

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Nishiki Rice

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Shinmei Toyama Koshihikari Rice

Gather the family around for a heartwarming meal with this medium-hot Torokeru curry. Seasoned with a blend of curry spices and rich umami flavors from meat and vegetable toppings, this thick, stew-like curry roux will create meals that warm you up on a cold lunchtime or evening.

Japanese Beverage

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Itoen Ooi Ocha Green Tea

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Kirin Gogo no Kocha

Black Tea with Milk

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Key Coffee Coffee Drink Low Sugar

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Otsuka Pocari Sweat Ion Supply Drink

6. Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Japan is a country where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously, and this blend is evident in the beverages enjoyed by modern Japanese people.

  • Popular drinks include green tea, cherished for its soothing qualities; Calpis, a tangy, yoghurt-like drink; Yakult, a probiotic dairy drink for digestive health; and Royal Milk Tea, a rich blend of black tea and milk. For hydration, there's Pocari Sweat, an isotonic sports drink, and Ramune, a nostalgic carbonated drink with a unique bottle design. In traditional and modern forms, coffee is also widely enjoyed, showcasing Japan's diverse tastes and cultural fusion.

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5. Japanese Sake: Japanese sake is renowned worldwide and a top choice for souvenirs when visiting Japan. Made from water, rice, and koji mould, sake undergoes a " joso " filtration process during its production. Only those made with domestically produced Japanese rice and brewed in Japan can be called "Japanese Sake".

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  • An alcohol content of up to 22% is classified as sake. The fruity aroma is a crucial factor in its drinkability. Sake with fruity notes spreads a sweet and unique flavour in your mouth, making it smooth to drink despite its alcohol content. You can find Japanese sake with various fruit flavours like banana, apple, and melon. 

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Gekkeikan Daiginjo Sake

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Daisekkei Ichigo Sake

Strawberry Liqueur

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Homare Shuzo Junmai Sake

Yuzu Citrus Sake

Hananomai Sparkling

Blueberry Sake

King Jyozo Umeshu Plum Wine

King Jyozo Umeshu Plum Wine

Umenishiki Umeshu Plum Wine

Umenishiki Umeshu Plum Wine

Takara Umeshu Plum Wine

Takara Umeshu Plum Wine

Gekkeikan Umeshu Plum Wine

Gekkeikan Umeshu Plum Wine

4. Japanese Plum Wine: Umeshu (梅酒) is a popular Japanese liqueur made from ume (Japanese plums), sugar, and shochu.

  • With an alcohol content ranging from 8% to 15%, its sweet and tart flavour makes it a favourite even among those who typically don't enjoy alcoholic beverages. Recognizing its popularity, the Japan Anniversary Association has designated June 10th, during the peak ume season, as "Umeshu Day."

  • Umeshu is perfect for casual sipping, whether it's a relaxing drink after work or a soothing nightcap before bed. It's also an excellent gift choice, particularly Japanese umeshu, which is known for its high quality and elegant packaging. 

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  • 3. Japanese Spizer: "Chuhai" is short for "shochu highball" (焼酎ハイボール), a low-alcohol beverage made by diluting shochu with carbonated water. It's an affordable alternative to beer and comes in various flavours, including fruity ones, offering both taste variety and seasonal appeal.

  • Chuhai products are classified into three categories: beer, low-alcohol beverages, and soft drinks. The demand for low-alcohol beverages is currently expanding! Some Chuhai have a higher alcohol content, offering a high bang for your buck as just one drink can induce a buzz.

  • Due to the recent trend towards low-sugar options, lemon and "dry" flavours (which are less sweet and have a more pronounced alcoholic taste) are also very popular.

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Kirin Hyoketsu Chuhai

Grapefruit Spritzer

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Coca-Cola Lemon-Doh Chuhai

Lemon Spritzer

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Suntory Horoyoi White

Grape Chuhai Spritzer

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Suntory -196ºC Strong Zero Double

Lemon Chuhai Spritzer

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Japanese Snack

Japanese snacks are famously delicious! You no longer have to go through the hassle of international shipping to get your hands on them. In the UK, handmade mochi, red bean daifuku, Japanese seaweed, dorayaki, squid strips, matcha cakes, and even freshly baked melons, along with various unique KitKat. With over 400 types of Japanese snacks from popular local brands,  it's time to satisfy all your cravings!

2. Japanese candies:  those sweets are renowned for their delicious taste, unique packaging, and innovative techniques. When you visit a convenience store in Japan, you'll find over 100 types of candies to choose from, including Japanese soda candy, sour gummies, chocolate bars, chocolate wafers, and even DIY candy kits!

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Bourbon Alfort Black Mini

Dark Chocolate Biscuits

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Morinaga Hi Chew

Green Apple Chewy Candy

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Nestlé KitKat Mini Share Pack Koi Matcha Strong Green Tea

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Mikakuto Kororo Muscat

Flavoured Gummy

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Calbee Original Potato Chips

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Oyatsu Baby Star Original Crispy

Ramen Noodle Snacks

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Sanko Seika Okaki and Osenbei

Rice Cracker 

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Koikeya Karamucho

Stick Potato Crisps

1. Japanese biscuits:  these biscuits come in a wide variety, from potato chips, chocolate cookies, and sandwich biscuits to senbei and rice crackers, offering an array of flavours that leave you spoiled for choice. The "limited edition flavours" are the most eye-catching, which always brings a fresh surprise!

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BONUS- BEST JAPANESE SUPERMARKET IN LONDON

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Japan Centre (Ichiba) – Largest Japanese Supermarket in London located on the lower ground floor of Westfield London near White City tube station, Ichiba is one of three Japan Centre food halls in London. It's the largest Japanese food hall in Europe, accommodating over 200 customers.

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T.K Trading – Japanese Supermarket and WholesalerT.K Trading, a lesser-known diamond within the Japanese community, is a retail supermarket and wholesaler in Acton serving Japanese restaurants for over 30 years.

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S Mart Japanese Supermarket – S Mart, one of the newer Japanese supermarkets in London, is conveniently located near Queensway station. It offers a wide range of Japanese teas, coffees, sodas, and drinks like Yakult, Calpis, and Pocari Sweat, as well as Japanese beers, Chu-hi, Lemon Sours, and Highball cans at reasonable prices, giving it the feel of a Japanese convenience store.

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Before You Go

Shopping at a Japanese supermarket could be completely different from daily shopping at Tesco or Waitrose, especially when you can't understand the Japanese language and Japanese culture. Luckily, we offer a range of courses where you can explore and enjoy the Japanese learning journey.

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