Japanese foods available at Whole Foods I actually tried (From Japanese perspective)

I am a Whole Foods heavy user and I get foods mainly at Whole Foods.
So today, I would like to share about Japanese food you can get at Whole Foods!

I’ll also mention my recommendations and which section you can get them☺.

At this point, there are some areas that I have not yet explored, so I will update this page as I make new discoveries.

Tofu

What you buy is Silken Tofu (blue package). Silken Tofu is the Japanese word for Silken Tofu.

It is also used to make chilled yayakko, mapo tofu, and miso soup.

I have tried Firm Tofu, but it was too hard and didn’t taste good, so I choose Silken Tofu when I buy it at Whole Foods.

The only thing that bothers me is that 90% of it crumbles when I try to take it out of the container, and there is a lot of water in it.

Recommendation: ★★★★☆ (I’m already repeating! (but it is too soft, so -1)

Sales location: Refrigerated section with kimchi, etc.

1lb (450g) is about $2.

Recently, I bought some tofu from Weee and I like it very much because of its softness,

I’m getting more and more interested in it……..

Dried wakame (seaweed)

I tried it once and I found that there is no different from Japanese authentic dried wakame!

Recommendation: ★★★★★ (I will repeat!)

Sales area: Asian seasonings and ingredients section

Kimchi

I bought some to try, but unfortunately, I personally would not repeat this one!

It’s like kimchi without the unique taste of kimchi.

The kimchi I bought at H Mart tasted slightly different from the Japanese kimchi, but that one is better.

Next time I will try kimchi from a Japanese supermarket!

Recommendation: ★☆☆☆☆ (I wouldn’t repeat it!)

Sales floor: Refrigerated section where tofu is sold

16floz (450g) is about $10.

Sesame Oil

This is Whole Foods brand Toasted Sesame Seed Oil.

I have not tried the non-Toasted one, but the Toasted one has the same taste and aroma as Japanese sesame oil and I feel comfortable using it.

Recommendation: ★★★★★ (I am already repeating)

Sales area: Corner where olive oil and other oils are sold

It is about 8.4floz (240g) and costs about $6.

However, sesame oil sold at Weeee! is cheaper, so I have been using that lately.

I’m out of sesame oil! I need it right away! It may be good when you run out of sesame oil and need it right away.

I have seen Kadoya sesame oil for sale, but have yet to try it….

It is about $6 for 5.5floz (155g).

Chinese-style noodles

I love these authentic Chinese noodles, and they are $4.69 for a 2-pack.

Recommendation: ★★★★★ (I’m already repeating!)

Where: Refrigerated section with tofu

Two bags for $5.

I use these Chinese noodles to make ramen at home, which is also delicious and I make it often.

By the way, they also sell miso and soy sauce soups. I have not tried it yet, but I will write about it when I do.

Shiitake mushroom

They are sold individually!

They are also sold in packs, but I buy them individually because I want to choose one by one and they seem fresher (how true is that?). I buy them individually.

Recommendation: ★★★★★ (I’m a repeat customer!)

Sales location: Vegetable section. Near where mushrooms are sold.

It costs about $12 for 500g.

Surimi Seafood

I found it by chance and bought it, but the taste was not what I expected…

I made kani-kama mayo (boiled kani-kama with mayo), but the mayo was not the same as Japanese mayo, so the overall taste was subtle, and I felt the kani-kama was not tasty (jumping fire).

The texture was the same as Japanese mayo, but the taste was not there. I felt like it had no taste. If it was seasoned well, it might be tasty.

I would like to find a way to enjoy them, but the subtle quality and the large quantity in one bag makes me avoid buying them. Even if I didn’t have it, it wouldn’t lower my quality of life, and I don’t think I would repeat the experience.

Recommendation: ★☆☆☆☆

Sales floor: Fish processing section. Near where the smoked salmon is sold.

Breadcrumbs

I used it as a binder for minced pork cutlets, etc. I haven’t used it for the outside batter yet.

I haven’t used it for the outside of the breading yet, but it seems to be neither good nor bad at the moment.

I have not used it for the outer coating yet, but I think I will try the Kikkoman brand breadcrumbs in the future.

Recommendation: ★★★☆☆ (Not a definite repeat customer, but I have no complaints)

Sales location: Around where the flour is sold (if you don’t know where it is, please ask the shopkeeper!)

8loz (226g), $2.5.

Rice vinegar

I bought Rice Vinegar to try it out.

Recommendation: ★★★★☆ (not a definite repeat purchase, but no particular complaints)

Junmai Vinegar may only be found in Japanese food supermarkets.

I bought the Seasoned one by mistake, but I have no complaints.

Next time I will buy the non-seasoned one.

However, I think the pure rice vinegar tastes more hearty.

By the way, this is the one that tasted good. Amazon reviews are also good☺.

What about other ingredients?

Other than the above mentioned foods, we buy Japanese foods such as rice, soy sauce, etc. at current Japanese supermarkets such as Mitsuwa or Dainobu!

However, they are a bit expensive, so I would like to get them at Whole Foods if quality is not a problem!

Extra Tips for shopping at Whole Foods

When you want to buy ingredients you don’t normally buy (for example, for the first time to buy filet mignon or Japanese food), and you are not sure if your local Whole Foods carries them, or you don’t want to wander around on the spot, you can use the Whole Foods app!

There is a product search screen (“Products” button). (Click on the “Products” button.)

Tap the “Select a store” button above to set your nearest store.

All you have to do is search.

You won’t know if the product is in stock until you go there, but just knowing in advance if they carry it will make it easier to shop☺.

That is all for today!