Nissin is a lifesaver
*Warning: shufu (housewife) talk in this blog entry*
There are many foreign food stores in Tokyo but Nissin World Delicatessen in Azabu Juban stands out with its reasonable prices on non-Japanese goods, compared to gourmet-only outfits like Kinokuniya and YamaYa.
Though Nissin is generally pricier than your average Japanese supermarket, you can find some things that are comparable or even cheaper — you just need to know your shit. For those who have a car and a family, the Wal-Mart-like Costco in Chiba and Yokohama could be a great cost effective solution but I heard you need to be invited by a member.
Since I love food and cooking, supermarket shopping is also something I find fun. I’ve been wandering around the various grocery stores in Akasaka for over a year and a half now so I know their products and pricings intimately.
The one thing I don’t get excited about is that I have to carry my shopping booty all the way home which is a good 15 to 20 minutes walk which involves five minutes of steep hill right at the end.
I think there should be a balance between the desire for fresh produce, what you can stock up, and how often you can actually go to the supermarket.
My Singaporean side always gets the better of me and I load up my basket like crazy (it’s a syndrome called kiasu, which means afraid to lose out) but regret the huffing and puffing later. I try not to pick up groceries everyday because it’s just ridiculously time consuming (I am a working woman!), but that leaves lugging stuff uphill.
But here is my other problem: my acupuncturist in Singapore advised me not to carry such heavy loads for long distances because they strain my arms and the pain converges at my neck and back. So back to square one? Hontoni obasan mitai (I really seem like an old lady, or in Singlish, auntie)…
Thankfully, Nissin has the solution for me: my Japanese lesson in Azabu Juban on Thursdays end at noon so I can make it for the 3pm delivery deadline at Nissin. They only deliver everything free if your bill touches JPY10, 000 (SGD137) and above. If you make your purchases after 3pm, they will only deliver dry goods and you have to take your fresh food (eggs, milk, vegetables, meat, frozen pies) home with you.
Just a tip: you have to pay for your purchases at every separate floor but you can just include all your things at the delivery area on the second floor, which is also the food section.
I don’t have to resign my fate to domestic slavery no more… yay…!
Some of you may wonder, well, where’s the kangaroo in all of this? Doesn’t he lend a hand? He does when he happens to be around. I sometimes would send him home with all the heavy liquids while I continue browsing, but essentially, it’s my role in our home. The kangaroo does the mopping, futon duty (folding it up, rolling it down, changing the sheets, airing the mattress) and laundry (we take turns). But I am truly the boss of the kitchen — I decide what we eat everyday. *Chuckles*
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