Asian Food Grocer Review and Giveaway
I had a pretty smashing birthday this year, with Mr. Pikko surprising me with a plethora of gifts such as a 3rd gen Kindle
My dad got me a seed sprouting kit and two pounds of sprouting seed (alfalfa and mung), so I’ll be able to use sprouts in my bentos very soon! I’m pretty excited about it, but I still have to clean off counter space for it. Right now I have tons of washed meat trays holding my Jiffy pellets of plants. Jenn got me this freaking hilarious solar Hello Kitty figurine of her reading a book on the toilet. Her head bobs up and down in the sun!
My brother gave me a freaking amazing gift: two nights stay at the Sheraton Waikiki, where he works, plus a coupon for breakfast buffet for four. When we were kids, my parents used to work us to the bone during the holidays, but soon after would make it up to us by taking us on a little vacation to Waikoloa to reward us for working so hard. We have a lot of great memories of Mauna Lani and the Royal Waikoloan, including swimming in the pool and watching movies in the room.
There are funny memories, like the time my mom drank too much and passed out at the table, which caused the waiter to inquire whether we needed a wheelchair to get her back to her room. LOL! There are also not-so-good memories, like the time I ate over fifty strawberries and an omelet at brunch and then spent the morning puking it all up with Grandma Mu at my side. The kids flat-out loved it and it really makes me happy that my brother is making it possible for my kids to have their own vacation memories like the ones we had together.
Today I am hosting a giveaway by Asian Food Grocer, who was kind enough to give me a coupon code to purchase some items to try. My review of the items will follow in the coming month as I try them out. For today, I am simply reviewing the service of Asian Food Grocer. Read on for details on how you can enter for a $20 coupon code! I will have two to give away!
I did my shopping on March 22nd and accidentally placed my order twice, like a total ditz. Two days later, they had worked out the error and shipped my box of goods and when I checked mail on the 29th (5 days later), the box was there. It should be noted that shipping to Hawaii is rather expensive since they have to use USPS and don’t use flat shipping (they should!). With the accessibility of Asian foods at local markets, it actually doesn’t make much sense for us locals to buy from their store. People who live on the mainland, however, can take advantage of their $6.95 ground shipping offer for orders over $25.
The nice ladies over at the Pepperjam Network offered me a $35 code so that I could order a good amount of items even with the higher shipping costs to Hawaii, so I was actually able to order a lot of items.
My shopping list:
- Meiji Chocolate Covered Macadamias
- Glico Gaba Chocolate Balls
- Meiji Milk Chocolate Bar
- Myojo Chuka Ramen
- Nissin Pork Ramen
- Kagayaki Short Grain Rice (2.2 lb)
- Sweet Rice
- Brown Shirataki Noodles
- White Shirataki Noodles
- Shichimi Togarashi
I ate the Myojo ramen already and it was pretty good taste wise, but the noodles were a bit too chewy for my liking, which means you should probably cook it thoroughly instead of al dente. I took the macadamias to work to eat them slowly over the course of a week. HAHAHA! They were gone in two days. They’re out of stock right now because when I bought them, they were on clearance for only $0.75, a steal! All of this came out to $19.40, so you could actually order more to reach the ground shipping requirement.
I’ve already cooked some of the Kagayaki rice and it in indeed delicious, but at 2.2 lb for $6.50, it’s a pretty expensive rice. It’s not that AFG prices it high, it’s expensive everywhere. I consider this to be a “special occasion” rice. I’ll be including it in the next part of my Umami rice cooker review series.
I like that their website accepts product reviews, as I heavily consider reviews when shopping online. When I shop at Baker Creek, I read through all the reviews to find the best tasting seeds. Their search doesn’t always work right as searches for “shirataki” only brought up 1 item and a search for “kagayaki rice” only gave me the brown rice, since their other products have words in between katayaki and rice.
I had been hoping that they would have red yuzu kosho, since I need this to make a recipe in a cookbook I’m reviewing, but unfortunately they don’t carry it. I bought the green at the local Nijiya Market, but they didn’t have red and neither did Marukai. The only place I’ve found it is on Amazon
As I mentioned earlier, I have two coupon codes to give away. All you need to do is head on over to Asian Food Grocer’s website and look around, then come back here and post your own shopping list of at least two yummy Asian foods you’d buy if you won. Limit one entry per person. Entries will be accepted until Monday, April 12, 2011. Feel free to Like them on Facebook!
You might also like:
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
54 Comments
Leave a Comment
My name is Crystal Watanabe and I'm 32 years old, living in Honolulu, Hawaii with my husband and two children. I have an addictive personality and that's a terrible thing when you're into cute bentos. I own over 200 bento boxes and way too many bento accessories!. 
yea i know i would be a little over, but i wouldnt skip to just the coupon if i win to try new things and to restock on things i love to eat
especially when i can use it for dorm cooking to flavor something up!
Mountains Dried Lily Flower 3.5 oz
Instant Red Bean Cup w/ Glutenious Rice 5.64 oz
Kikkoman Sweet Cooking Sake 12.7 Fz
Yuzu Ginger Conserve 5.2 oz
Snow Cabbage and Rice Mix 0.43 oz
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Whether I win or not, I may just end up shopping for some new things to try. I’ve already got the Maruman White Miso, the Melon bread, some candy and treats, and some kitchen wears in my cart.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m already over with the first item, but that wouldn’t stop me. I’ve been looking for Unagi everywhere locally and this would be a great alternative. My list:
Unagi Kabayaki 3-Pack
Original Soy Wrapper 3.5 oz
Suntory Lemon Green Tea 16.6 fl oz.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hey,
I would like to give you an award because your blog is so incredibly great.
This award is given only by me, and it serves a list of the best blogs create.
The only thing you have to do is to create a small link to the page with the blog links. (http://japansbento.blogspot.com/p/golden-blog-award.html)
I hope you are happy about it.
Regards
Krisi (from germany)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I guess I’m one of the lucky ones who lives near some Asian grocery stores (mostly Korean, but there’s one Chinese one close by!). I’d want to get some of that mochi once it’s back in stock, maybe a bento box or two, some of the Japanese seasonings/sauces that I don’t think I can get here, and a bunch of different snacks and candies.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
So many choices! I like the “Quick and Easy” category, so I would definately stock up on some of the delicious sauces for stir fry (esp Black Bean Garlic). We don’t have much selection where we live (in the midwest) and I’ve always wanted to try Nori so that’s also a definate. Then I would splurge and order a couple adorable kids’ rice bowls so my two little ones would be inspired to try some of my new creations!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would have to get a ton of udon noodles as it’s tough to find unflavored ones where I live. Also I’d get some melon bread. Finally, I’d probably get a new bento.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I really like Japanese soft drinks! I loved being able to get a drink any time I wanted from the ubiquitous vending machines in Japan, and there were so many different drinks! Not like here where its pretty much coke or pepsi everywhere.
Anyway, I would get:
http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/suntory-barley-tea-16-5-fz
Barley tea is delicious and kind of hard to find in the States.
http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/mitsuya-cider-16-6-fz
Mitsuya Cider is a unique flavor, can’t quite describe it. Not super sweet though!
http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/sapporo-melon-cream-soda
Melon soda! One of my favorites!
The only thing I wish the site had was C.C. Lemon…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Short answer: Kit Kats!!!!
Long answer:
Japanese Kit Kat – Framboise
Japanese Kit Kat – Bitter Almond
Japanese Kit Kat – Dark Chocolate 1.5 oz
Japanese Kit Kat – White Chocolate Cheese 1.58 oz
Japanese Kit Kat – Caramelized Sweet Potato 6 oz
Japanese Kit Kat – Kouhaku 6 oz
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is my yummy list:
Glico Syokora Mild Chocolate Pocky
Hello Kitty Coconut Milk Wafer
Meiji Hello Panda Cream
Crunky Banana White Chocolate
Mmmm… they all looks so delicious, and I promise to share with my family if I get the yummy stuff.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
First I would definitely buy some sobs noodles as I use them in a recipe frequently. Since I haven’t had any in forever and its my favorite kind, I would grab some chocolate almond covered pocky! I’d also grab the sweet potato variety out of curiousity!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’d get some good seaweed (it’s really hard to find any here!) and some hi-chews!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would get Meito Umeboshi Spiced Plum Candy and Spicer Furikake Bonito .54 oz and Orchids Onion Garlic Chips 2.7 oz I could go on and on.
Thanks for the chance!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I just discovered shirataki noodles yesterday!!! I don’t know why it took me so long to figure out what they were. I always saw them in my mom’s fridge and could enver figure them out. Now I’m a low-carb diet (wedding prep) and I read a review about them. AMAZING! I’m planning to head back to the Korean store and get them!
However Virginia lacks Japanese grocer stores.
and even the Korean stores lack the Asian facial cleansers. I miss those from my time in Korea.
My shopping list would include:
-White Shirataki noodles 7.0oz
-Matsuda Flat Shirataki noodles 7.69oz
-Mu Tenka Foaming cleanser
-a few of the Kid’s rice bowls
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dars White Chocolate 1.6 oz
Japanese Kit Kat – Caramelized Sweet Potato 6 oz
Japanese Kit Kat – Blueberry
UCC Canned Kona Coffee w/ Milk 11.3 oz
UCC Black Coffee Can 9.7 oz
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would for sure want ramune!!! NOM NOM, Yan yan and pocky
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Happy Birthday! Rome is a great series..loved it!
Nearly impossible for me to choose…but I’ll give it a go
Red Blossom Bento Box~because I don’t have an actual bento box yet, and I think this one is lovely..
Any and all forms of Pocky~I can get plain old chocolate and strawberry fairly close to home but need to drive a bit for anything more ‘exotic’ and I do love the almond pocky so much..
Kagayaki select premium short grain rice~because it’s hard to find good sushi rice around here
Sapporo melon cream soda~oh my! I’ve never seen this but it sounds just delicious!
There is SO much more…noodles, spices, oh heavens, I could make an entire post out of my list!! Thanks for the chance to win!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
we have asian stores in this area too, so it’d have to be something that’s hard to get on the east coast (Washington, DC).
so far, I’m leaning towards:
Yuzu Ginger Conserve 5.2 oz
Yuzu Marmalade 5.2 oz.
Kanten Agar Gelatin Powder .56 oz
Lotte Black Black Gum 4.7oz Tub
Japanese Vitamin Carrying Case
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Oh jeez… so many choices…
I’d probably have to go with rice, udon noodles, some curry sauces and some hard to find Pocky, like the winter fudge and the caramel.. I’m also intrigued by the sweet potato Pretz.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
yumm…
My shopping list would include
Glico Syokora Almond Praline Pocky 2.11 oz
Szechwan Shrimp Seasoning Mix
Sushi Combo Set Bronze
Sauce Bundle Pack
oh, I really could keep adding to this list
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yum! I have always wanted to try curry, but sadly there are no Asian stores/restaurants around me that sell it… so I would buy the instant curry. For my second item, I would have to try the melon bread because I’ve heard it is amazing, but I have never tried it. Everything looks so good!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would definitely buy some of the Peach Ramune, a flavour the local Asian Market does not stock. Also, for sure some of the Nong Shim Shin Bowls of ramen, because they are so spicy and delicious. Oh, and maybe some of the Yamashiro Tokino Ryokucha loose leaf tea, because I have always wanted to review that for my tea review site.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My list would be of Japanese snacks because, they’re SO pricey
So if i win, i can get as many as possible to satisfy my cravings:)
Mini Yokan Ogura
Green Tea Chocolate
Meiji Almond chocolate
Strawberry short cake kitkat
Strawberry Hello Panda
Meiji Apollo Strawberry
Senjakuame sugar free green tea candy
NYUMZzz~ gonna grin IF I WERE To get all those:)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don’t live anywhere near an Asian grocery store and to get to one, I have to travel for quite a long time in the subway only to get there and not always find what I’m looking for. Therefore, if I could buy something from Asian Food Grocer(which, I’ve been scoping them out for over a year now but never bought anything), I would buy these things in a flash!!
Bonito Tuna Flakes MIni 0.63 oz
Soft Butter Sweet Baum 2.1 oz
Daiichipan Melon Bread 9.6 oz
Meiji Petite Assortment 2.0 Oz
Maruman White Miso 26.4 oz
Orchids Tokyo Takuwan 9 oz
Ume No Osama Pickled Plum 7 oz
Myojo Yakisoba 3.24 oz
JenYi Almond Dofu Delight 6 oz
Bull Dog Worcestershire Sauce 5.6 fl oz
Kewpie Mayonnaise 17.64 oz
Bulldog Tonkatsu Sauce 5.6 fl oz
Marukin Mirin Fu 16.6 fl oz
Vermont Curry Mild 8.8 oz
Sakura Denbu Seasoned Ground Codfish 0.94 Oz
White Shirataki Noodles 7.0 oz
u_u extremely long list but those things I can’t seem to find near me and going down to China Town is a rather long, crowded, and tiring journey to buy a few things.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If I won, I would most definitely get:
Melon Pan
Bourbon Chocolate Covered Baum Cake
One of the fruit filled breads (I’m such a bakery fanatic)
Kokuho Rose Fancy Rice (It’s cheaper on Asian Food Grocer. I make my onigiri with this!)
Different flavored kit kats
Meji Milk Chocolate (I’m a chocoholic)
Tangerine Bath Salts
I would maybe get:
Udon Noodle Soup Bundle
Japanese Teriyaki mix
There’s some other things that I would maybe get, but here’s what I have as a list of things I love and what I’d want to try.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yummm! If I won, I would buy some sauces (like tonkatsu and ponzu), some seasoning packets like the Noh and Sunbrid flavorings, some aloe drinks and I would have to have my Calpis!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
not paying attention to prices, but i found these things yummy and interestingly delicious and some childhood favorites
Toppo Chestnut Cake
Hello Kitty Coconut Milk Wafer
Hakubaku Organic Soba
Sichuan Spicy Chilly Noodle Soup
Golden Curry Instant – Medium Hot
Orchids Wasabi Paste
Ajishima Katsuo (Tuna Flake) Furikake
Ramune Soda Mango
Korimitsu Melon Shaved Ice Syrup
Organic Soymilk Chocolate
Yogu Time White Peach
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My mouth is watering from looking through everything! Yummers!~ <3
Here's my list:
Kasugai Peanut and You 2.8 oz $2.38
Shirataki Noodles 9.86 oz with Fiber $2.18
Dried Tuna Flakes 3.52 OZ $5.78
JES Yakitori Sauce 15.6 Oz $2.98
Orient Chef Spicy Korean BBQ Sauce 14.6 oz $2.39
Vegetarian Peking Roast Duck 10 oz $1.99
Kamata Shoten Lychee Ramune Soda 6.7 Fz $1.89
total: 19.59
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Thanks for the link!
I’d LOVE to try:
1: Shida Sardines in Miso (or soy, or chili sauce… or all of them….lol) cuz I love sardines.
2: Hakubaku Organic Green Tea Cha Soba
3: Organic Soymilk Green Tea
4: Chestnut Rice Cake Mochi Balls
5: Torokeru Maple Danish 2.2 oz i LOVE maple things!
That’s my top 5, but i’d really just like the whole site, lol.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ochazuke Nori Rice Soup 0.84 oz
Momoya Kimchee (Kimchi) Base 15.87 oz
Yamako Kampyo Dried Gourd Strips 1.76 oz
Yamato Ajitsuke Kampyo Pickled Gourd 0.46 oz
Tamanoi Sushi Powder 2.6 oz (I love this stuff when I’m in a hurry in the morning!)
Spinach Green Soy Wrapper 3.5 oz
YMY Hot & Spicy Teriyaki Nori Seaweed Strips 0.8 Oz (my little boy loves to snack on these!)
Jin Lih Iron Chopper
Sapporo Melon Cream Soda 16.6 fl oz
Sakura Denbu Seasoned Ground Codfish 0.94 Oz
Organic Soymilk Green Tea 32 Fz (they stopped selling this here… boo!)
Okay…. I have to stop!!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
They have bento boxes! So… I know they aren’t ‘yummy’ but I’d have to get one.
Foodwise, I’ve always wanted to try mochi. I can’t find it around here. And I would want to try the various Sichuan noodle soups.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
cool giveaway! Here’s my list of things I’d get:
Puccho Stick Mixed Gummy Soft Chews (I can’t get them here and they’re OMG SO GOOD!!)
Omusubi Tei Sato No Iro furikake (fun furikake is also unavailable here! No fun)
Hata Ramune Soda Yuzu 6.6 Fz
Chopsticks – Lacquer Purple Pearl
Chopsticks – Red Lacquer Bigin
Eyelashes – Criss Cross Length
Best of luck to all entrants. Fingers crossed!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
the Kasugai Lychee Gummy and Meiji Muscat Chocolate Gummy. I’m a sucker for asian candy!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m a sucker for chocolate and gummy snacks, so my list would look a lot like the following:
Japanese Kit Kat – Kouhaku 6 oz
Japanese Kit Kat – Caramelized Sweet Potato 6 oz
Japanese Kit Kat – Banana Fruit Mix
Japanese Kit Kat – Strawberry Short Cake 6 oz
Kasugai Lychee Gummy 4.41 Oz
Kasugai Grape Gummy 4.76 Oz
Kasugai Wasabi Peas 11.63 oz
Puccho Stick Soda 1.76 oz
..and probably a whole lot of others. I’d go wild in a candy store– actually, I have. I should really stop.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Definitely the Shirataki noodles and Hi-Chews! Oh, and a Bento box!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Lots of furikake (I wish they had the character ones)
Children’s Green Giraffe Bento Box (my daughter loves giraffes)
Kameda Hai Hain Rice Crackers (my baby will soon have enough teeth for these)
Sushi erasers (for my h.s. students)
Japanese Lunch Bento Box Erasers Pink
Fizzling Soda Candy 5 Oz
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Totoro Chopsticks and case $7.95
Huy Fong Sriracha Sauce $2.99
Japanese Kit Kat – Caramelized Sweet Potato $6.99
3 Glico Caramel Chocolate Pocky $3.98ea
4 Kasugai Konpeito 5.4 oz $2.48
5 packs of BlackBlack Super Menthol Mint hard Candy $1.88 (sold out right now)
The candy mostly because the asian store in my area doesn’t carry ANY of those.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The only 2 local asian grocery stores nearby are tiny & pricey so I’ve been a customer of Asian Food Grocer for years. They have a nice blog with recipes, too! (the dessert sushi is awesome!)
I got hooked on the kagayaki rice – we buy the large bag every time I order – and I like when they have shirataki noodles. And I’m always buying different candies or snacks to try, too!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
shoping list
- jasmine rice
-Kabaya Saku Panda Chocolate Cookie
-panko bread crumbs
-Hello Kitty Coconut Milk Wafer
-Morinaga Disney Chocolate Cookies
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hey thanks for reviewing the site, I did not even know it existed. I’ll be getting some shirataki noodles, Ramune soda and Ramune candy, fizzing soda candy (my fave!), salmon furikake……and maybe try some different rices ( if you review them so I know the difference!)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’d like to try the Sriracha and Chili Sauce.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The sesame oil and sesame paste.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
OH MAN.. I love that website. I go there all the time just to STARE at the food. =D
I would get..
-Meiji Hello Panda Choco 2.0 Oz
-Meiji Hello Panda Strawberry 2.0 Oz
-Meiji Hello Panda Cream 2 Oz
-Giant Hello Panda Choco 9.1 Oz
-Chocolate Filled Koala Biscuits 1.76 oz
I love Meiji brand Hello Panda the most. =)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yay!! Cool giveaway. I would love to win this.
If so, I’d get these:
1) Piggy Face bento box. So cute!
2) Mirin
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
mmm, lychee soda! I need a new rice cooker, is that brand good? The Oyama brand, it is. I also need to get one of those iron woks.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Pocky my old favorites strawberry and chocolate plus a new flavor.
Strawberry Hi-Chew (for my niece)
and Ramune soda
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’d have to go with some natto and a pack of Nong Shim Hot & Spicy Noodle Soup (what can I say? I’m a fan, even if their commercials are ridiculous).
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Oh I love this website!! I order from them a lot, so I would probably order some familiar favorites- like the cute little burgers (Bourbon Chocolate Every Burger) or some of the Hot and Spicy Noodle Soup!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i would buy the pink soy wrappers — they are “sushi party” brand and i am able to find the green, yellow and orange ones locally, but have never seen pink!
i would also like to try this six-grain rice blend, looks super healthy! http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/6-grain-rice-2-2-lbs
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think I’d get some Bankansan Yakitori Sauce and maybe some of their seasoning packets, like the Broccoli-Beef Seasoning Mix! Yum! And what great prices!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It was such a hard choice! I finally decided on 4 items that I have not been able to find in Omaha, NE. and one item I know I will never see here (even though it isn’t food, I couldn’t help but include it).
Fizzling Soda Candy
Udon Noodle Soup bundle
Sakura Denbu seasoned ground Codfish
Paprika Orange Soy Wrapper
Totoro Bento Box
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would buy the Morinaga Keroppi Kawaii cookies, the Keroppi candy gift set in the collectible pouch if they were in stock. If not, then I’d get the Pearl organic soymilk (green tea flavor), the Hachimitsu honey spiced plums.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ramen all the way! http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/category/ramen-noodles
I’ve been looking at getting another santoku and this one looks decent — http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/japanese-knife-senzou-santohu
And this whistle candy is a lot of fun — http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/ramune-whistle-candy-0-77-oz
After that, a whole lot of spices and seasonings to fill out some gaps in my kitchen!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hello panda 9.0 oz (chocolate)
Meiji Chocolate bar
Like or Dislike:
0 
0