"Mom, let's just eat out for dinner." That was my constant refrain throughout the trip. Popular ramen shops had a basic one-hour wait, and faced with dense Japanese menus, my parents always hesitated. After a few days of sweet and salty Japanese food, which was a delicacy for me, both of their faces showed signs of fatigue. It was then that I realized. Even the excitement of travel can wear thin in the face of unfamiliar meals.
Then, by chance, we stopped at a small supermarket near our accommodation. While I was engrossed in the colorful bento boxes and beer aisle, my parents, as if by unspoken agreement, lingered in front of the side dish section for a long time. There, like Korean market side dishes, were neatly arranged braised fish, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), and various seasoned vegetables. Seeing their relieved expressions at the familiar sight, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Ah, even when traveling, they needed the warmth of 'home cooking', the comfort of predictable flavors.
From that day on, our family's essential stop in Japan wasn't a tourist attraction, but a local supermarket. At first, I thought it was just a place to buy groceries, but lo and behold. It was a small museum where you could glimpse the real Japan, full of seasonal fruits and vegetables, local specialties, and seasonings I'd never seen before. Most importantly, it became a magical place that revived my tired parents' appetites and energy.
Japanese supermarkets were nothing short of a secret weapon that dramatically elevated the quality of our family trip. If you're planning a trip to Japan with your parents, make sure to include an evening stroll to a local supermarket in your itinerary, if nothing else. Now, I'll gradually unfold the first story of how our family made 100% use of this treasure trove, starting with the 'bento and side dish section'.
Bento and Side Dish Corner, This Place is a Whole New World
Japanese food, of course, is delicious. But filling every meal with ramen, sushi, and tempura bowls might be a bit too stimulating for parents' palates. Around the time complaints of greasiness or saltiness started, the supermarket's 'sozai (惣菜)' corner appeared like a savior. Sozai refers to ready-to-eat side dishes, bento boxes, fried foods, etc., and for us, it was literally a 'Japanese-style buffet'.
There's truly everything here. Shiny grilled mackerel with salt (塩焼き), sweet and savory braised flounder (煮付け) in soy sauce, and fluffy Japanese omelets (だし巻き卵) are standard. Plus, lotus root or burdock root stew, potato salad, and spinach with sesame dressing (おひたし). It was a comforting sight, as if a Korean neighborhood side dish store had been transplanted here, and my mom kept exclaiming in admiration. We carefully chose our desired dishes, spread them out at our accommodation, and created a lavish dinner table for our family that rivaled any high-end restaurant.
At first, it might be overwhelming to choose. In that case, remember the formula: 'one main dish + two vegetable side dishes'. For example, my father chooses an unagi bento, my mother salmon with salt, and I choose tonkatsu as the main. Add one or two packs of vegetable stew or salad for everyone to share, and freshly cooked rice (パックご飯) or onigiri (rice balls) to complete a perfect meal. Thanks to the fun of combining dishes according to individual tastes, we even looked forward to going to the supermarket every evening.
Especially, don't miss the 'closing sale' that starts after 7 PM. Initially, 20% or 30% discount stickers (割引シール) start appearing, and as closing time approaches, '半額 (hangaku, half price)' stickers emerge. It's fun to play a game of chicken with the locals who are also eyeing these deals. The thrill of 'snagging' an 800-yen assorted sushi platter for 400 yen! Thanks to this, our family saved on travel expenses and enjoyed delicious food and cozy time together every night.
Treasure Hunt Among Unfamiliar Ingredients: Gifts to Delight Parents
“What kind of miso is this, and what kind of soy sauce is that? There are so many varieties!”
My mom couldn't leave the miso (fermented soybean paste) aisle for a long time. There was white miso, red miso, and miso with whole grains that she had never seen in Korea. The seasoning aisle of the supermarket was the best playground for my parents, who love to cook. More than common snacks or cosmetics sold at Don Quijote, local ingredients that they could use to cook back home were much more practical and memorable gifts.
Especially recommended are 'dashi packs'. These contain anchovies, bonito flakes, shiitake mushrooms, etc., in a golden ratio, so you just tear them open, put them in water, and boil them to create a rich broth. If your parents enjoy cooking, this gift will be 100% satisfying. Other popular items include the refreshing yuzu-flavored 'yuzukosho', local specialty soy sauces, and various pickled side dishes (tsukemono). At large Japanese supermarket chains like Life or Aeon, you can find many private-label (PB) products, allowing you to choose inexpensive and high-quality items.
Snack Time for Adults: Alcohol and Desserts
The night of a trip is too precious to just sleep away. For your father, explore the alcohol section, and for your mother, the dessert section.
The alcohol section in Japanese supermarkets is truly extensive. Especially the variety of canned beers is beyond imagination. Besides famous brands like Sapporo and Asahi, it's fun to try limited edition 'jibiru (local beer)' sold only in certain regions. Sharing a cold beer with Dad while chatting about the day's travels completely washed away the fatigue of the trip. Sake and fruit-flavored chuhai also come in a wide variety and are affordable, making them easy to enjoy.
What about desserts? While convenience store roll cakes filled with cream are famous, traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi), mochi (rice cakes), and puddings from supermarkets might be more to your parents' taste. Especially the seasonal limited edition strawberry mochi or Mont Blanc pudding are must-try delicacies. They are not too sweet and the natural flavors of the ingredients shine through, so even my mom, who doesn't particularly like sweets, really enjoyed them.
Practical Tips for Travelers
Japanese supermarkets, you can't just pass them by now, can you? Finally, here are a few tips to make your supermarket shopping with your parents even more comfortable.
First, some large supermarkets offer Tax-Free services for foreign travelers. This is usually possible for purchases over 5,000 yen, so be sure to bring your passport and inquire at the checkout. The amount quickly adds up when buying small seasonings or snacks. You can find detailed information on the Japan Tourism Agency Tax-Free Shop Guide website.
Second, plastic bags are not free in Japan. You have to pay 3-5 yen each time you check out, so it's useful to bring a reusable shopping bag (eco-bag) from home. It's good for the environment and saves you coins, a win-win.
Third, it's best to have both cash and cards ready for payment. Most chain supermarkets accept card payments, but some small local supermarkets and individual shops still only accept cash.
Japanese supermarkets are not just places to buy things. They are excellent resting places where you can glimpse the daily lives of the people, relieve travel fatigue, and explore new flavors. The small experience of filling a shopping cart with your parents might become a warm memory that lasts longer than any grand tourist attraction.