If you have the opportunity to go to Japan, we advise you to bring back these 10 food products. Even if you can find a lot of things on the Internet, it is still better to buy it on the spot.
- 1. Fresh wasabi, emblem of Japan
- 2. Soy sauce or shoyu
- 3. Dried bonito or katsuobushi
- 4. Japanese round rice
- 5. Umeshu plum alcohol, sake rice alcohol.
- 6. Matcha green tea
- 7. Kit Kat chocolates
- 8. Furikake
- 9. Konbu seaweed
- 10. Calpis
1. Fresh wasabi, emblem of Japan
Wasabi is very rare in France but is easily found in Japan. This one is clearly different from the green wasabi tubes we know in France. Much softer, subtle, and with an incomparable flavor, fresh wasabi is a product to bring back. It will keep for up to 1 month in a fridge, or more. Don’t forget to bring back a wasabi grater.
2. Soy sauce or shoyu
In France, we already find Kikkoman soy sauce, but in Japan you will find a whole shelf of it. Indeed, there are many kinds of soy sauce, more or less salty, more or less strong. For the amateurs, don’t hesitate to bring back some soy sauces, the taste will be really different from the kikkoman sauces.
3. Dried bonito or katsuobushi
Like wasabi, fresh dried bonito is a rare product in France. It is an essential ingredient for making dashi. If it is fresh, the broth will be even better. As a reminder, bonito is a fish related to tuna, very much used in Japanese cuisine.
4. Japanese round rice
In Japan, rice is an essential food, it is highly valued. A classification of the best rice is made every year like wine in France. So don’t hesitate to bring back a small package of rice to find a bit of Japan at home.
5. Umeshu plum alcohol, sake rice alcohol.
As for aperitifs, we advise you to bring some umeshu and some sake. Umeshu is a very popular alcohol in Japan made from Japanese plums “ume” which has a sweet and fruity taste. Sake, emblem of Japan, is also a product to bring back, you will find it easily in Japan.
6. Matcha green tea
If you have the opportunity to go near Kyoto, in Uji to be exact, we advise you to bring back Matcha green tea for your pastries or others. You will be sure to find a very good quality product and you will also have the choice.
7. Kit Kat chocolates
In Japan, there are different kinds of Kit Kat that are not known in France. Kit kat with green tea, Kit kat with red wine, Kit kat with cheesecake… Very pleasant flavors and others more improbable, to test and to bring back.
8. Furikake
The furikake is a condiment that is used a lot in Japanese cooking, just sprinkle it on your rice or dish to reveal the flavors. There are many flavors, such as yuzushrimp, egg, seaweed… It is really delicious!
9. Konbu seaweed
For amateur cooks, konbu seaweed is used konbu is used a lot in Japanese cooking. In France, it is very rare to find fresh or dried. So don’t hesitate to bring some if you want to make your own seaweed broth dashi.
10. Calpis
The calpis is a drink which is very popular in Japan but unknown in France. It is a sweet and sparkling drink with a very particular taste. To test and to bring back if you like it!
Personally, we didn’t like the Calpis, this drink has a very particular taste but to test all the same! Don’t trust its unpleasant smell either.
