Whenever I visit a supermarket in Japan, this S&B Premium Wasabi Paste is one of my must-buys. It’s very convenient, and you can easily squeeze out just the right amount whenever you want some. It’s perfect mixed with Japanese soy sauce for dipping sashimi or pairing with various Japanese dishes. My favorite way to enjoy it is to put a little on plain edamame. It instantly adds so much flavor and aroma while balancing out richer foods. Whether for cooking at home or having a late-night drink, it’s an indispensable kitchen staple.
Premium Wasabi Paste in Tube | Review by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人
Other Reviews by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人
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SUN MALL ICHIBANCHO shopping street
It was built as a south entrance to Tohoku’s first arcaded shopping street in 1954. The images of Lord Date Masamune, his helmet, his subordinate, Hasekura Tsunenaga, etc. decorate the street, which reflects the past grandeur of the “Movie Theater Town.”
After arriving in Sendai and dropping off my luggage, I headed straight to the arcaded shopping street across from the station. It happened to be drizzling when I arrived, so the covered design was incredibly thoughtful. I didn’t have to worry about getting wet at all, making it easy and comfortable to explore. There are so many extremely popular shops here. For authentic beef tongue, you can choose Rikyu or Zenjiro, and for premium Yonezawa beef, I recommend the reasonably priced business lunch at Kotora. After eating, you can also grab some taiyaki for dessert. The shopping street has several drugstores, including Daikoku, where you can shop to your heart’s content. There’s also a huge LOFT near the entrance, where you can even buy everything you need, including a suitcase, all in one place.
Even better, if you turn into the nearby Bunka Yokocho and Iroha Yokocho, you’ll find many unique little shops and independent bookstores tucked away in nostalgic alleys. Taking a leisurely walk always brings unexpected discoveries. I was very lucky this time and even found some sweet Sato Nishiki cherries along the way. I heard that if you visit in August, you can also see the lively giant decorations of the Sendai Tanabata Festival in person. It’s a perfect shopping street that makes you want to stay and explore.
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Sand Bath Hall SARAKU
"Suna-mushi" is a method of bathing that entails visitors soaking themselves in hot sand heated by a hot spring that emerges from the seashore. Since about 300 years ago, this Japanese-style sauna has been popular among the locals.
I first saw sand bathing on a Japanese travel show on TV and thought it looked like such an unusual experience. Although it was hard to imagine what it would feel like, I kept quietly hoping that I would get the chance to try it myself someday. I finally planned a trip to southern Kyushu this time, and after looking into it, I realized that if you’re not driving, you really have to carefully calculate the bus transfer times. Unfortunately, the well-known Saraku that I had planned to visit was closed that day, so I ended up going to another place.
All I can say is that this was definitely a very special experience in my life. I lay down in a steaming pile of naturally heated sand while an older man shoveled sand over me one scoop at a time. Listening to the waves crashing nearby, with the warm, heavy pressure covering my entire body, I felt a strange sense of tranquility, as if I were in another world. I couldn’t stay in for very long because of the high temperature, but I still can’t forget how completely relaxed and comfortable it made me feel. To finish things off in true local style, you have to have a bottle of ice-cold milk. That’s what made my first sand bath experience perfect and authentic.
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GariGarikun Soda
Japan’s classic ice treat, GariGarikun Soda, is a simple yet exceptionally well-crafted frozen treat made with soda-flavored ice on the outside and crunchy shaved ice on the inside. Its defining feature is this two-layer structure, with outer ice and inner shaved ice, allowing you to enjoy two different textures in one bar. Along with its refreshing soda flavor, it is also a long-selling product that has been loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults, for many years.
On previous trips to Japan, I often saw this ice pop with the funny face on the packaging at convenience stores and supermarkets. I thought it was pretty amusing at the time, but later found out that it’s actually a long-standing brand beloved throughout Japan.
On this trip to Japan, I walked all the way back into town after visiting Takachiho Shrine. I was drenched in sweat from walking under the blazing sun and desperately wanted a refreshing ice pop to cool down. When I reached a small grocery store and spotted that familiar funny face in the freezer, I immediately grabbed a soda-flavored one without hesitation and sat right outside the store to enjoy it. The moment I bit into it, its lightly sweet, cooling flavor, like the Ramune soda I drank as a child, instantly revived me when I was about to pass out from the heat. Looking at the quiet street in front of me, I suddenly had the strange feeling that this was what everyday life was like for the main character in a Japanese TV drama. After returning to Taiwan, I still sometimes find myself taking an extra look when I pass the freezer at a convenience store, hoping to once again find this wonderful memory that brings a smile to my face.
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