Grocery Shopping

So, I just got back from the grocery store.  And, by that, I don't mean I just got back from Walmart or Pick n' Save or Woodman's.  I just got back from Pacific Produce--the only Asian food supply I know of close to me.  As I write this blog post, I'm attempting to satisfy my craving for a Japanese drink called Milky Tea with something apparently from China called Pearl Milk Tea.  It's kind of like drinking Pibb when you're a Dr. Pepper fan or when someone else cooks something your mom usually makes.  Something's just not the same.  In this case, I think someone forgot about a spoonful of sugar.  Other than that, they nailed it.

Anyway, back to the subject of grocery shopping at Pacific Produce.  My intended purpose was to go in there and buy Milky Tea, curry, and Fuji apples.

"Excuse me, Katrina.  Curry is Indian.  You're from Japan."

Yes, and burritos are Mexican.  That doesn't mean Americans didn't modify them.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I could tell today was going to be a bit more interesting than usual.  Normally, it's me and one or two other people in the store, not counting the workers.  Today, though, it looked like every Asian in Milwaukee was descending upon the place.

In other words, I felt completely at home--except no one else was speaking Japanese.

Also, there were some non-Asians there too.  Every time I run into Caucasians at Pacific Produce, I wonder why they're here, defiling my illusion that I'm back in Japan.  Then I remember I'm also white and get over it.  Usually, they end up being with an Asian spouse or child and everything makes sense.

I'm the anomaly in the deal, but I'm kind of Japanese inside.  They just don't know it.  Actually, I'm a double anomaly, as I've never had a confirmed sighting of another Japanese person there, but I figure there must be some who come by, considering they have a semi-decent stock of everything Japanese except for rice (Thank you, Woodman's for stocking the proper rice or else I might starve to death!).

Anyway, I was successful at finding the right brand of curry.  Growing up, Mom always made mild, but they didn't have mild, so I bought medium hot.  I've yet to die from curry spiciness, so this shouldn't be an issue.

Me, happy with my curry

Also, I have no idea why in the world it's called "Vermont Curry."  If you're from Vermont and you can explain the connection, please do so because when I think of Vermont, I think of a little triangle shaped state up in New England.

Fuji apples were a complete success, and cheaper than the apples I found at Walmart earlier this month.  Score!

Okay, I'm officially not drinking my tea anymore.  I just found something jelly-ish at the bottom, and I have a policy against eating gelatin substances I don't recognize.

Whew...this post is taking a while to make.

Anyway, when I was at the store, I remembered I only had one nikuman (nee-koo-mahn) left in my freezer.  "What's a nikuman?" you may ask.  Well, it's not really found in Japan once you leave my island of Hokkaido.  Here's a picture:

One of the best foods on planet earth right there (pic copied from someone else's site)

Anyway, it's also found outside of Japan.  I couldn't find the microwaveable ones at Pacific Produce, meaning I'll have to make a trek over to Woodman's sometime and hope that they have the type that is both pork, non-barbecue pork, and microwaveable.  Anyway, so when I go shopping for it, it's not under the Japanese name.  According to the bag in my freezer at the moment, well...never mind...it just has "Pork Steamed Buns" written on it. Anyway, I usually end up having to buy it under the Chinese and Korean names, whatever they are.  I just look at the pictures on the bag and read the cooking instructions.

Also, on my way to check the freezer, I dumped out my can of Pearl Milk Tea.  Turns out it was clear gelatin, which is usually safe, but I was not in the mood for clear gelatin today.

"When are you in the mood for clear gelatin?"

Usually in the middle of canned fruit cocktail, actually.  That's the only time I can think of.

No seriously:  Peaches, pineapples, pears, mysterious red-orange fruit, and white cubes of gelatin; I love this stuff!  This isn't a joke at all.

Hm...so anyway, while I was on my unsuccessful hunt for nikuman, I happened to walk past the ice cream.  First of all, since this is an Asian food store, I ran into some flavors I've never seen before, including durian.  I've heard that durian tastes like dirty socks, but I've never tried it, so I'm not going to judge someone's decision to put it in an ice cream.  Incidentally, I didn't know until today how HUGE a durian fruit can be.

What a durian looks like

Anyway, durian and mango ice cream can only hold a semi-Japanese person's interest for so long.  I noticed sweet bean paste, green tea, and sesame seed ice cream, which made me feel immediately at home again--meaning, it's stuff I don't eat, but seeing it filled me with a sense of Japanese and American cultures slowly blending to form one super culture where every need of mine is filled except for the ability to be beamed from one place to another instantaneously.

I also went candy shopping but was unable to find the candy I was looking for, so I consoled my self with Pocky and Koala No Maachi.

Best chocolate substance on planet earth

And these are just fun

So, that's how shopping went today.  I am now also insanely craving real (non-dehydrated, non-instant, preferably Asahikawa) ramen, which I don't think I can find in Milwaukee, and I'm not driving all the way down to Illinois simply for a meal.

Until next time...Sayonara!