Japanese Grocery Store Challenge: ISO Better Ramen at Home & Surprising Snacks in DC
Take the #SakuraSurpriseChallenge: A Delicious Adventure
Welcome to February in DC, where the cherry blossoms are still weeks away, and most of us are looking for something good to brighten these winter days. We're inviting food lovers, home cooks, and curious eaters to join what we’re calling the #SakuraSurpriseChallenge:
🌸 The Challenge: Visit your local Japanese grocery store. Buy at least one item you can't read or identify. Share your adventure! (But remember: be respectful, be curious, and have fun!)
The idea came from Sarah Gavigan’s excellent book “Ramen Otaku”, part of research for our ramen series. In Japan, even convenience stores are culinary wonderlands, with carefully curated selections of drinks, snacks, and freshly made meals. While searching for authentic ingredients to elevate my home ramen game (stay tuned for next week's recipe!), my family and I decided to embrace this spirit of discovery at our local stores.
DC local spots for this challenge or ramen supplies:
Pro-tip: Google Lens is great for translating packages after you try them, resist the temptation to use it in-store – that's part of the fun! Also, most of these items were about 10x more expensive at big online retailers. Another reason to support local business.
Our surprise haul
Watermelon Jelly Candy: Like a giant gummy bear but more solid than gummy. What looked like plastic wrap on some jellies was actually edible rice paper.
Melty Chocolate Cookies (Purple package): Like Fig Newtons went to culinary school. The crumbly exterior gives way to a rich chocolate center that pairs perfectly with coffee.
Ramune Soda: Milder than expected but refreshingly different. A light, sweet fruity experience.
Spicy Chips: A lovely low heat, somehow a hint of similar flavors from an instant ramen packet. Our resident Takis expert said they were less spicy but flavor approved.
Plum Potato Chips: Imagine if ketchup chips went to Japan and got a glow-up. Weird at first, addictive by the handful. Both chip bags mysteriously vanished within 10 minutes.
Sailboat Cookies: A milk-and-dark chocolate combo with a subtle vanilla biscuit base that's begging to be dunked in coffee.
I also scored some Australian-made Japanese-style ramen noodles. While I dream of convincing a local ramen shop to sell me their imported noodles, these look promising for next week's cooking adventure.
As we celebrate Lunar New Year and anticipate cherry blossom season, there's something special about supporting these local markets. They're more than stores – they're gateways to new experiences and vital community spaces. I'm already planning regular visits to explore more cooking ingredients and, yes, even the instant ramen selection!
Your Turn!
Grab a friend, set aside $20, and get deliciously lost in the aisles of your local Asian grocery store. Remember to be respectful, ask questions when appropriate, and embrace the unknown. Your next favorite snack might be hiding behind characters you can't read!
