A couple weeks ago, I stopped by this new Korean supermarket called Kasia on my way home from the shibori food scrap dye workshop I attended. I had seen a post about it on Instagram, and saw that it was only 15 minutes away from where the workshop was being held - so decided to check it out afterwards.
It was huge, and I think I spent over an hour (probably closer to an hour and a half) exploring everything. Right when you walk in, you get to see how they grow their own hydroponic lettuce - which I thought was so cool because I don’t think I’ve ever seen another grocery store do this. They also sell locally grown mushrooms, and I was impressed with how well they labeled their vegan options. Sometimes the experience of being in an unfamiliar grocery store can be overwhelming - so I really appreciated the bright green “vegan” labels they implemented. I feel like most specialty markets don’t do this. I scored a bottle of (vegan) oyster sauce, which I was very excited about!
I went up and down every aisle picking out different things to try that caught my eye. Back in college, I once thought I wanted to pursue a career in package design. I love looking at the designs of labels, boxes, etc. and have always been interested in how the way something is designed influences whether or not you choose to pick it up off the shelf and (potentially) ultimately buy it. It really was a visual delight to see an array of different food packaging that deviates from the same old stuff that I see on a weekly basis at my routine grocery store(s)… Trader Joe’s and Aldi. 😅 The snack and ramen aisles were probably my favorites to peruse - as I feel like those tend to be some of the most vibrant and colorfully designed (often with cute characters / illustrations too).
Ironically, I used to be so intimidated going into Asian grocery stores - despite being Chinese and growing up going into them as a kid with my mom all the time. 😅 Now, I look at specialty grocery stores / grocery stores of a different culture as an adventure and a way to get out of my comfort zone. It’s the opportunity to slow down and really look at the things on the shelves (taking the time to read labels) - instead of just reaching for the same staples. While there’s something uncomfortable about not being able to read all the words on the packaging, I think it also adds to the fun of it all. There’s an element of mystery and surprise. “I wonder what this will taste like?” Ultimately, it’s the opportunity to try something new!
I saved the packaging from some of the things I bought to try and made a collage out of it - which felt like an extension of the day’s adventure.
After putting my groceries into the car, I went back inside to grab a sweet treat from The Hungry Tiger (part of their in house food court). I tried the matcha bingsu (shaved ice), and really enjoyed eating it in the spring sunshine.
Writing this post reminded me of the time I went into an Indian grocery store for the first time a few years back. I remember walking in and being stunned by the spice aisle. With limited knowledge of Indian cuisine, I had no idea what to buy. The owner of the store saw me wandering around and I asked her for some recommendations. She pointed out a couple items her kids enjoy, and I picked out a few things that caught my eye, too. The fry-able colorful snack stars were probably my favorite find as they reminded me a lot of the colorful fried Chinese shrimp chips I grew up eating.
I left with a box full of goodies to try, just as I left with a heaping bag full of goodies to try from the Korean market. Unfortunately, the Indian grocery store has since permanently closed. I still think about this day, though, and had to pull some photos from my archives to share here.
Of course, stopping into a new grocery store probably won’t satisfy all the week’s needs - and you’ll likely still need to pick up the things you do every week from your usual grocery store - but I still think it’s worth trying every now and then. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover some new favorites to add to your weekly rotation.
I think about how much we all look forward to Trader Joe’s seasonal items - and love that they are always introducing new items and changing up what they offer with the seasons. Even trying something you don’t usually buy or have never bought before from your usual grocery store could be a way to tickle your curiosity, switch it up, and make things interesting.
Have you gone grocery shopping yet for the week? 😉
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