Food Shopping In Tokyo: Foodie Heaven!

I'm going to be completely honest from the get go and tell you, this blog post is mostly food porn. I don't have too much to say, but I have a lot to show you!

I don't know how many of you have been to Japan, but if you don't know this already, allow me to say this: the Japanese are MAJOR foodies. I mean, they love to eat, shop, and cook good food. For me, the best part about visiting Japan is seeing all of the unique groceries, but more importantly, the prepared foods available.

Unlike in the US, in Tokyo (I don't want to generalize to all of Japan, since I don't know for sure) major department stores have a  GINORMOUS food court in the basement. These food courts are not like what you see at American malls. There is no "Panda Express" or "Cinnabons." These food courts are bursting with a HUGE variety of food vendors.

Be it savory or sweet. Fried foods to raw foods. Bento boxes to sushi to sandwiches. Japanese to French to Korean. The selection is endless and I always leave so hungry. When I visit the food courts, my senses are overstimulated as I frantically take in all of the sights and smells that surround me. 

Below, I have included some pictures from my latest food adventure in Shinjuku.
A selection of dried and cured Spanish meats
Large selection of red meat
Prepared and raw poultry 
More meat
Some pre-made sushi
Gorgeous selection of whole fish
Beautiful fillets of fish
More sashimi
Selection of dried fish. 
The fish on top are called "Shishamo" and they are a personal favorite of mine. 
A large variety of miso paste
So many customers!
I tried one of those smoked chicken livers and it was sooo delicious
Some produce
Fried foods
Making fresh warabimochi
Grilling some Wagyu
Such beautiful colors!
Those look so scrumptious 
What adorable cookies!
Cutest cupcakes ever
Such skill and creativity!
Yummy bread
Pre-made food
Shumai!!!!
Those jellies look delicious and refreshing
So beautiful
The Japanese have the most delicious and interesting bread
Korean food
That rice looks amazing
Selection of tempura
More tempura
Fried foods
God I really want a cream puff now!
Making tako-yaki
The Japanese seem to really like cheesecake
A large variety of kim-chee

As you can see, there are A LOT of food choices in Tokyo! I always find that I can wander the food court for hours, happily staring at all of this food --- and if I am lucky, sampling it, too! 

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