It has grown on me!

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Costco Haul - Polar Black Garlic Cured Super Food

Polar Black Garlic Cured Super Food 20 oz

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to Costco and found that they were selling black garlic, Polar Black Garlic Cured Super Food! As you might know, black garlic is a superfood and has a lot of health benefits such as antibacterial effect. While I was having a cold, I ate the black garlic two days in a row, and I was able to get over it. It's been a long while since we had black garlic, so we decided to purchase one. :)

Do You Want To Make Black Garlic?
As I mentioned in my previous entry, How I Make Black Garlic at Home, I was successfully able to make black garlic at home in 2016. It was very easy, but I don't really recommend you to make it at home because the garlic releases very strong smell during fermentation. The strong smell might bother your neighbors. However, if you really want to make black garlic, you can watch my video, How to Make Black Garlic at Home. I was able to make black garlic without bothering my neighbors(I think!).

Polar Black Garlic Cured Super Food (Costco vs Amazon)
At Costco, Polar Black Garlic Cured Super Food 20 oz (568g) was $14.99. You can also find the same black garlic on Amazon, but Costco one is cheaper obviously. However, if you want to get the smallest quantity one, you can purchase a 5-oz one for around $5 on Amazon.

Polar Black Garlic Cured Super Food

How Much Should You Eat Black Garlic?
The package reads, the serving size is 3 pieces, but Aomori Prefecture Black Garlic Association suggests eating 1 to 2 cloves of garlic a day because consuming a large quantity of garlic doesn't mean increasing efficacy. That's why I recommend you to eat a 1/2 piece of black garlic a day.

Polar Black Garlic Cured Super Food

Uses: Black garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be eaten as is once peeled, used in dressings, dips, sauces, spread, or as a secret ingredient for gourmet cuisines.

Black garlic is a delicacy from Eastern Asia. The garlic goes through a natural cured process that breaks down the enzymes in the fresh garlic without additives or preservatives. This process colors the garlic bulbs black creates its rich, complex and caramelized flavor. Black garlic has a sweet, savory umami taste with hints of balsamic vinegar and garlic notes. Its unique exotic taste makes any dish go from simply flavored to robust and delicious.

Polar Black Garlic Cured Super Food

See? It's really black! I had this one without cooking. ;) It tasted just like one I made before.

     These are my entries you might like.
■Trader Joe's Japanese Aomori Black Garlic

■Japanese Aomori Black Garlic

■How I Make Black Garlic at Home

■Costco Haul - the Big Island, Hawaii

■What Do They Sell at Costco on the Big Island, Hawaii? - 12 Kinds of Unique Products!

■COSTCO in Japan

■10 Products I Purchased at Costco in Japan

■What Do They Sell at Costco Business Center? (My Costco Haul)

■Costco Haul - Tiger That Tempura Shrimp

■Starbucks Winter Blend Melange D'Hiver 2017 at Costco

■Starbucks Arizona Double Wall Traveler and Cold Cup

■7 Best Japanese Beauty Products Hall of Fame

   My entries related to Costco can be seen here.

   My entries related to Starbucks can be seen here.

     My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.

   My entries related to Japan can be seen here.

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   My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.

     You can find my beauty entries by categories from here.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Japanese Grocery Haul - What I Purchased at Supermarket, Department Stores and Kitano Ace in Japan

Japanese Grocery Haul

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I have visited Japan this winter. We purchased some Japanese bread at a supermarket and drugstore such as my favorite shokupan and anpan, and we also visited Japanese Costco and purchased some grocery such as high quality sushi and delicious Japanese mayonnaise. We also purchased some grocery at a supermarket and department stores. As I mentioned in my previous entry, Find Delicious Foods at Depachika, Must Go to Place in Japan, major department stores have delicatessen on underground floors which is called depachika in Japanese (Depa (デパ): department store + Chika (地下): underground foor). If you are planning on visiting Japan, you really should go to depachika because they have the finest foods from many famous restaurants, confectioneries and etc. Depachika foods are seriously way more delicious than meals from convenience stores and supermarkets.

Anyway, today I'm going to share 9 products I purchased at a supermarket and department store with you. :)

1. Mishima Takikomi Wakame (三島の炊込みわかめ)
Rice Seasoning Contains Wakame Seaweeds
98 yen at Aeon Supermarket in Japan

Mishima Takikomi Wakame (三島の炊込みわかめ)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, My Shopping List for Japanese Groceries - What I Want to Get in Japan, I wanted to purchase some rice ball seasoning. I purchased ume and shiso leave rice seasoning at Costco in Japan, and I also purchased this wakame rice seasoning, Mishima Takikomi Wakame, at Aeon supermarket there. You can mix rice ball seasoning with steamed rice. I made wakame rice balls for my road trip before.

wakame rice balls

2. Tororo Kombu (とろろ昆布)
Long Dried Kombu Flakes
88 yen at Aeon Supermarket in Japan

Tororo Kombu (とろろ昆布)

Tororo Kombu (とろろ昆布) is long dried kombu flakes. You can top it to udon noodles. You can check out my previous entry, How To Cook Tsukimi Wakame Udon.

Tsukimi Wakame Udon

3. Fukujinzuke (福神漬)
Japanese Radish Pickles for Curry Rice
98 yen at Aeon Supermarket in Japan

Fukujinzuke (福神漬)

Fukujinzuke (福神漬) is Japanese radish pickles perfect with Japanese curry. You can find fukujinzuke at most supermarkets in Japan.

Japanese Curry and Fukujinzuke

4. Takanazuke (たかな漬)
Japanese Mustard Leaf Pickles
218 yen at Aeon Supermarket in Japan

Takanazuke (たかな漬)

Takanazuke (たかな漬, 高菜漬) is Japanese mustard leaf pickles and is perfect with steamed white rice. In Fukuoka, where is my hometown, takanazuke is famous local pickles and also popular tonkotsu ramen topping. This is whole Japanese mustard leaf pickles, so I will cut them finely and stir-fry them. You can check out my previous entry, How to Prepare Takanazuke, Japanese Mustard Leaf Pickles. If you are in Los Angeles, you can also enjoy takanazuke at Hakata Yamaya Restaurant. They serve all-you-can-eat mentaiko and takanazuke for free during lunch hours.

How to Prepare Takanazuke

5. Umekazuke (梅香漬)
Japanese Radish and Ume Pickles
500 yen at Kyo Tsukemono Mori (京つけものもり) located in Hankyu Umeda Department Store in Osaka, Japan

Umekazuke (梅香漬)

I purchased this Japanese pickle at Hankyu Umeda, a department store in Osaka. I really love depachika! In Osaka, my husband and I were staying at a hotel and enjoyed breakfast there. I really loved some kinds of Japanese pickles the Japanese hotel served. That's why I was looking for the best Japanese pickles at Hankyu Umeda. I ended up purchasing some pickles at Kyo Tsukemono Mori (京つけものもり), a famous Japanese pickle manufacture company from Kyoto. I tried some samples of their pickles and decided to purchase this Umekazuke (梅香漬), Japanese radish and ume pickles.

Umekazuke (梅香漬)

They are so crunchy! They have delicious katsuo ume taste, and are so flavorful. :)

6. Katsuo Takuan (かつお沢庵)
Japanese Radish Pickles
600 yen at Kyo Tsukemono Mori (京つけものもり) Located in Hankyu Umeda Department Store in Osaka, Japan

Katsuo Takuan (かつお沢庵)

At Kyo Tsukemono Mori, I also purchased this Katsuo Takuan (かつお沢庵), Japanese radish pickles. They are also so crunchy and are perfect with steamed rice. :)

Katsuo Takuan (かつお沢庵)

When I had this takuan, I remembered that my grandmother used to make takuan at home when I was a kid. Her friend visited our home to see her every early morning. (Seriously, I saw her friend every busy morning before going to my school.) My grandmother and her friend enjoyed talking and her homemade takuan and freshly brewed Yame green tea. Anyway, some Japanese people enjoy pickles as ochauke (お茶請け), which is a food liked to eat with green tea.

7. Agoiri Dashi (あご入りだし)
Japanese Soup Stock with Flying Fish
25 packs of soup stock
916 yen each at Kitano Ace (北野エース) Located in Hankyu Umeda Department Store in Osaka, Japan

Agoiri Dashi (あご入りだし)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, Japanese Grocery Haul - 7 Products He Purchased at Kitano Ace in Japan, I had purchased two packs of Agoiri Dashi at Kitano Ace (北野エース) in Tokyo before. I really loved them and purchased them again. :) With using this agodashi, I have cooked miso soup, takikomi gohan and so on. Those turned out very delicious. The Kitano Ace branch I found at Hankyu Umeda department store was very small and was selling a limited selection of Kitano Ace grocery, but I was glad that I could find their Agoiri Dashi there!

Kitano Ace Agoiri Dashi

8. Nebatoro Frikake (ねばっとろふりかけ)
Tororo Kombu Frikake
324 yen at Kitano Ace (北野エース) Located in Hankyu Umeda Department Store in Osaka, Japan

Nebatoro Frikake (ねばっとろふりかけ)

My husband found this frikake at Kitano Ace located in Hankyu Umeda department store. It contains tororo kombu, sesame seeds and so on. Nebatoro (ねばっとろ) means sticky in Japanese, so it's sticky kelp rice seasoning. It must be delicious. ;)

9. Tsubuan (つぶあん)
Sweetened Azuki Bean Paste
380 yen at Gozasoro (御座候) Located in Hanshin Umeda Department Store in Osaka, Japan

Tsubuan (つぶあん)

When we lived in Osaka, he really loved Gozasoro's kaitenyaki (回転焼), which is also called imagawayaki (今川焼). Kaitenyaki is a traditional Japanese dessert and is like a pancake filled with sweetened azuki bean paste.

Gozasoro (御座候)

Kaitenyaki (回転焼)

This time, we also purchased kaitenyaki at Gozasoro (御座候), which is a very famous kaitenyaki store, located in Hanshin Umeda (阪神うめだ) department store in Osaka and found this tsubuan made by Gozasoro. Since he really loves sweetened azuki bean paste, I thought we should buy one!

Gozasoro's Tsuban

Tsubuan (つぶあん)

       We enjoyed this sweetened azuki bean paste with mochi, toast and so on. Nonetheless to say, Gozasoro's Tsubuan was the best! ;)

        These are my entries you might like.
■10 Products I Purchased at Costco in Japan

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■My Shopping List for Japanese Groceries - What I Want to Get in Japan

■My Shopping List for Japanese Beauty Products - What I Want to Get in Japan

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Friday, January 17, 2020

10 Products I Purchased at Costco in Japan

Costco Japan Haul

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I have visited Japan this winter. This time, we finally went to Costco there!

If you are a Costco member, you'll have access to any Costco location in the world. Just keep in mind that Costco Japan only accepts MasterCard credit cards and cash while Costco in the U.S. accepts Visa credit cards and cash. This time, I used my Capital One Quick Silver credit card (MasterCard), which is a 0% foreign transaction fee credit card, and I can earn 1.5% cashback rewards on any purchase. You can check out my previous entry, What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips.

Costco Japan sell many Japanese products which you have never seen at Costco branches in the U.S. Anyway, I'm going to share what I purchased at Costco in Japan with you.

1. Sushi

40 Pieces of Nigirizushi, 4 Pieces of Makizushi and 4 Pieces of Tamagoyaki for 2,678 yen

(Tuna, Squid, Yellowtail, Shrimp, Salmon, Octopus, Scallop, Negitoro Maki)

Costco Japan Sushi

One of the reasons why I wanted to go to Costco Japan was that I really missed authentic Japanese sushi I purchased at Costco in Japan last time! Costco Japan sells very fresh high quality sushi at reasonable prices. The price is as cheap as ones at Japanese conveyor belt sushi restaurant, which is called kaitenzushi (回転寿司) in Japanese, but the quality is as high as ones authentic Japanese sushi restaurants serve. I purchased this set of sushi and had it with my family. My brother, who I think is a foodie, was impressed at the quality and price. He is not a Costco member, so he asked me about Costco membership. By the way, Costco Japan membership fee is 4,400 yen a year. Anyway, all pieces of sushi were very fresh and sashimi was so big. Tamagoyaki also tasted great! I also loved the negitoro maki which is a roll containing tuna and green onions (negi). The Costco negitoro maki contained tuna, green onions, cucumbers and very fresh shiso leaves. I really enjoyed and loved all of them. :) If you are a sushi lover and a Costco member, you really should try Costco sushi in Japan.

2. VOX Wareteru Tenshin Amaguri (VOX われてる天津甘栗)
Organic Roasted Chestnuts
720g (180g x 4 Packs) for 899 yen

VOX Wareteru Tenshin Amaguri (VOX われてる天津甘栗)

I love roasted chestnuts! This large bag contained four packs of roasted chestnuts. You can eat them without cooking. You can also heat them in a pan or microwave (600w) them for 30 seconds.

VOX Wareteru Tenshin Amaguri (VOX われてる天津甘栗)

The shells were already cut, so it's very easy to remove shells and enjoy the chestnuts. They were slightly sweet and so delicious. If you like chestnuts, you probably love this one. I would like to purchase this one if I have a chance to go to Costco in Japan next time. :)

3. Cleat 3 Shurui No Imo Kenpi, 3 Kinds of Imo Kenpi (クリート３種類の芋けんぴ)
Crispy Japanese Sweet Potato Fries
600g (60g x 10 Packs) for 719 yen

Cleat 3 Shurui No Imo Kenpi, 3 Kinds of Imo Kenpi (クリート３種類の芋けんぴ)

This large bag contained three kinds of imo kenpi, crispy Japanese sweet potato fries.

Cleat 3 Shurui No Imo Kenpi, 3 Kinds of Imo Kenpi (クリート３種類の芋けんぴ)

4 Packs of Regular Imo Kenpi
3 Packs of Salted Finely Cut Imo Kenpi
3 Packs of Brown Sugar Coated Finely Cut Imo Kenpi

Cleat 3 Shurui No Imo Kenpi, 3 Kinds of Imo Kenpi (クリート３種類の芋けんぴ)

Imo Kenpi (芋けんぴ)

Imo Kenpi, regular imo kenpi, was sugar coated and nice and crispy. It was as good as I had expected.

Shio Kenpi (塩けんぴ)

Shio Kenpi, salted imo kenpi, was slightly salty and sweet.

Kokuto Kenpi (黒糖けんぴ)

Kokuto Kenpi, brown sugar coated imo kenpi, had a strong taste of brown sugar. I love it.

4. Maruhiko Seika Mukashi Nagara No Agemochi (丸彦製菓昔ながらの揚げもち)
Rice Crackers
612g (17g x 36 Packs) for 899 yen

Maruhiko Seika Mukashi Nagara No Agemochi (丸彦製菓昔ながらの揚げもち)

This large bag contained 36 small packs of rice crackers, so it's about 25 yen each, which is very cheap, but it didn't taste like cheap.

Maruhiko Seika Mukashi Nagara No Agemochi (丸彦製菓昔ながらの揚げもち)

The rice crackers were nice and crispy. They were lightly salted. I noticed its savory soy sauce flavor and loved that. I would like to buy this one again. :)

Maruhiko Seika Mukashi Nagara No Agemochi (丸彦製菓昔ながらの揚げもち)

5. Fujicco Shio Kombu (フジッコふじっ子塩こんぶ)
Salted Dried Kelp
405g (135g x 3 packages) for 998 yen

Fujicco Shio Kombu (フジッコふじっ子塩こんぶ)

My husband and I love shio kombu, shio konbu, salted dried kelp. I make rice balls with this. I also make super easy pickles (cucumbers, cabbages and etc) with this.

6. Ohmoriya Misoshiru No Gu (大森屋味噌汁の具)
Dried Ingredients for Miso Soup
175g for 698 yen

Ohmoriya Misoshiru No Gu (大森屋味噌汁の具)

This is dried ingredients for miso soup. It conatins dried wakame, fu, tofu, abura age, green onions and etc. It's easier to make miso soup with this one.
How to Cook Miso Soup : Heat water to a boil and add your favorite dashi. Turn off the heat and blend miso into it. Then add this dried ingredients into the soup.

Ohmoriya Misoshiru No Gu (大森屋味噌汁の具)

7. Kuze Fuku Shoten Bannou Dashi (久世福商店万能だし)
Japanese Soup Stock with Fish (Dried Bonito Flakes, Dried Anchovies and Grilled Flying Fish)
280g (8g x 35 packs) for 1,588 yen

Kuze Fuku Shoten Bannou Dashi (久世福商店万能だし)

Dashi is the most important ingredient for Japanese cuisine. I found this Kuze Fuku Shoten Bannou Dashi (久世福商店万能だし) at Costco in Japan. This is high-end dashi but was selling at pretty reasonable price there. This dashi was made of dried bonito flakes, dried anchovies and grilled flying fish.

Kuze Fuku Shoten Bannou Dashi (久世福商店万能だし)

With using this dashi, you can make miso soup, chawanmushi, udon, nabe and etc.

Kuze Fuku Shoten Bannou Dashi (久世福商店万能だし)

8. Ohmoriya Karikari Ume (大森屋カリカリ梅)
Umeboshi and Shiso Leaf Furikake
400g for 998 yen

Ohmoriya Karikari Ume (大森屋カリカリ梅)

This is umeboshi frikake. If you love Yukari, Japanese ume plum pickle frikake, you will also love this one. I enjoyed it as frikake (I sprinkled this frikake over steamed rice.). I will also make rice balls with this one. You can also make Japanese pasta with this one. :)

Ohmoriya Karikari Ume (大森屋カリカリ梅)

9. Kewpie Pro-use Mayonnaise (キューピープロユースマヨネーズ)
Japanese Mayonnaise
1kg for 348 yen

Kewpie Pro-use Mayonnaise (キューピープロユースマヨネーズ)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, Japanese Mayonnaise Is the Best!, I love Japanese mayonnaise so much. I will make egg toasts, potato salad, broccoli salad, makizushi and so on.

10. Yamaya Mentai Mayonnaise Type (やまやめんたいマヨネーズタイプ)
Japanese Mayonnaise with Meintaiko
500g for 498 yen

Yamaya Mentai Mayonnaise Type (やまやめんたいマヨネーズタイプ)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, Hakata Yamaya Restaurant - All-You-Can-Eat Mentaiko, Yamaya is high-end brand of mentaiko, Japanese marinated cod roe. When I found this at Costco, I thought I should buy one! To make a long story short, I was disappointed in this taste at first, but I really love this one now. When I have a chance to go to Costco in Japan, I will purchase this one again! :)

Yamaya Mentai Mayonnaise Type (やまやめんたいマヨネーズタイプ)

First, my husband and I tried it with salad, but I was surprised that it was too spicy, and I was disappointed in that I didn't notice any mentaiko taste.

Then, we tried it with Nissin Yakisoba UFO. It wasn't too spicy anymore, but it tasted like just regular mayonnaise.

Nissin Yakisoba UFO

Then, we made egg toasts with this mentai mayonnaise. This was incredibly delicious! I finally noticed very rich mentaiko taste! I thought this mentai mayonnaise is perfect for cooking!