Onigiri 🎌

My first and last attempt in Onigiri. Found recipe at justonecookbook. My go to website whenever I want to try a Japanese dish. Yummy but full of carbs.

Asian Ingredients

Again another batch of Asian Ingredients available in UAE. For those who are interested.

Family Mart

Family Mart ~ the new Korean grocery store in Karama. Near Lamcy. Walking distance from Japanese grocery called Dean's Fujiya.

Family Mart UAE

Hello! I'd like to say hello in Hangul but I am afraid that I do not know how to spell it out in spite of having watched dozen or so of Korean dramas. Anyway, in UAE or better Dubai, I observed that over the years a lot of Korean grocery stores have sprung. Gone are the days that you will only see Chinese grocery stores. For me it means, they are popular! Prices may not be as affordable like in Korea but that will do. Better to have them than nothing at all. When I was in Turkey for one month last year, I was shocked that Asian grocery shops doesn't exist. I know Turkey is partly Asian too, but I know you understand my drift. We are fortunate here in UAE that we never goes out of stock of some Asian goodies. Yes, in spite of the price. Here are some of my orders from Family Mart UAE:

I am in Ajman and so far I haven't seen any Korean/Japanese grocery stores here except the Korean/Japanese section of Carrefour. And even though they have a section for that, you can find only a few items. Unlike grocery stores that dedicated to the said countries only. I don't think you can find them in Sharjah too. And the traffic in that area is so bad that it has been ages ago since I visited the said Emirate. Only in Dubai you can find them all. But then going to Dubai from here can be a hassle. Aside from the traffic, the fare is not exactly affordable. We only have three choices your own car, bus that takes many routes and taxi. So we people from Northern Emirates goes to Dubai only once in a blue moon or only when needed. So it is good to know that at least 3 Korean grocery shops in Dubai offers online shopping. I observed that so many shops indeed are now offering online shopping. They are now the ones reaching out for the customers. If only the only Japanese grocery could offer the same service too.

I was not expecting that I'd find the products I bought from the shop. I was just checking out the 2x spicy ramen that are now in a challenge. I do not have any intention to join any challenge. I am not even amused with the said challenge because spicy noodles has been around as long as I can remember. So I cannot believe that there are people who tried/tasted it only now. Where they have been all their lives? That one google search led me into Korean grocery shops that offers online. Ended up buying from other shops as well.

The yellow and orange are chips. Dried squid to be exact. Haven't tasted them yet so I cannot say if they are really good or not. Each cost 15.00AED but since it will expired on November 2017 that they put it up on sale for only 7.00AED. They still have many chips to choose from but I am considering my budget. So I will buy again maybe on next salary.

I read online that instant coffees from Korea and Japan are very good. Honestly I was skeptical because how could that be? An instant is instant. But curiosity has gotten the better of me and I ordered one box of Caffe Bene. Drank one immediately. Verdict? It definitely tastes like coffee but not strong. I think the only difference is, its not very sweet like most of the instant coffee you will find in the market. Especially from the Philippines. I will still vote Turkish coffee as the best coffee in the world, but I don't know how to make it. And good quality and yet affordable Turkish coffee grains is hard to find in UAE.

And oooohh the spreads! When matcha spread became popular I was aware of it but dare not to buy as I cannot find a good reason why online sellers has to sell it for 100.00AED! So when I saw this for only 35.00AED still expensive, but then not so bad compared to online sellers. I am avoiding sugar even though my glucose count is good. But temptation is stronger than my will.

I took individual photos of everything. As remember. I can finish the Sweet Potato Spread in a day. It would have been great if they did not use sugar to accommodate people with diabetes or people avoiding sugar as sweet potato is naturally sweet. They will not be named sweet if they are not! As of the other two I will give my feedback as soon as I opened them and eat them.

Chinese Fries Chips

There are so many Chinese grocery stores across the UAE with countless Chinese goods. And every time I visit I always end up buying something new. It may not be my favorite but at least it satisfy my curiosity.

Typical potato fries chips Chinese version. Cannot sing praises but then if you are someone who enjoy eating junk food then why not try it out? Chinese chips are affordable compared to the ones being sold in Carrefour.

That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by. In the next few days there are still hundred of Asian products I found in UAE that I am going to share. (But still there are times that I rant as if I am expecting all the Asian products to be available here).

Dried Fried Tofu

For those who are interested in dried fried tofu ~ you can buy it at Dean's Fujiya in Karama. It is near to Lamcy Plaza. But sadly I cannot share how does it taste like. What happened to my dried tofu is I bought it and forget about it. Until it expired. Took a photo first before throwing it away.

Sushi 🌸

Home Made Sushi

My Fried Rice 🌸

Shishamo 🌸

Don't know if I shared this before. Because I have at least 10,000 photos in my phone. In my computer at work. And in my laptop. I take a lot of photos. But now I am decluttering them. Deleting some daily. So I do not know if I posted this before or not. Anyway this is called Shishamo. Fish from Japan. Available in Dean's Fujiya in Karama for 5.75AED. Expensive but really worth it. I love it deep fried. With fish sauce and calamansi dip.

Fried Chilli

This is not my photo. Can't remember anymore the name so if you are the owner please don't shoot me. Sharing it because it looks and sounds interesting. You know Asian is such a huge continents that there could be an endless choices of condiments. Will update you some other time if this is yay or nay. 

Mango Pudding Milk Tea

Chinese product currently available at Carrefour across the UAE. Expensive for the price of 7AED per cup. Good idea if only the mango tastes good. 

Ottogi Spicy Sauce With Pork

Found this Ottogi Spicy Sauce With Pork at Hanarum in Karama. At the back of Karama Post Office. A box cost 10.00AED and good for one serving. This is meant to be paired with rice but I mixed it in my scrambled egg. Enjoyed it but will not repurchase due to price. Sharing the information for those who are interested in Asian products in UAE.

Meiji Matcha Biscuits

Meiji Matcha Biscuits ~ currently available in one and only Japanese grocery store in Dubai called Dean's Fujiya. Japanese goodies are great but hard to come by in UAE market. And until now people do not know that there are 7 emirates in UAE. And as an end result all the great shops are in Dubai only! 

Bear Branch Chocolate Cereal

Found this at Manila Grocery in Ajman. Maybe it is 2AED per sachet. Expensive? But I love it. Not too sweet for my taste. 

Barley Tea

This Barley tea is currently available in Dean's Fujiya, a Japanese grocery store in Karama. Said to be healthy but unfortunately this is not for me. But then I will try to buy another brand next time around to taste. Maybe I can tolerate another brand of it. Tastes like coffee but downgrade version of it. I will not think about of trying out other brand if not for the fact that I need to have a healthier lifestyle more than ever as I am getting old. 

Japanese Tamanoi at Carrefour 🇯🇵

Jollibee at Dubai Mall

Korean Calbee Sweet Potato Chips

Thailand Biscuit Sticks 🇹🇭

This snack used to be available in Giant Supermarket in Ajman but not anymore. I'll try to look for it in other grocery stores that sell Asian goodies. 

Fish Roe 🎌

Just want to share another kind of fish roe that Dean's Fujiya is offering. I'm sharing the information for someone might be looking for it in the UAE. But as for me I did not bother buying due to the price of 200.00AED