Greetings from Bali!
Today I would like to write about my daily grocery shopping.
Some of the big supermarkets in Ubud are "Bintang Supermarket", "Delta Dewata", "Pepito", etc. They have not only local ingredients, but also seasonings and teas from around the world, shampoo, small tableware, and other general daily necessities, so it's easy to buy things.
There are many items without prices (the more expensive ones have no prices. Is this on purpose?), so if you want to check, you can either ask a store staff member or scan the barcode into the barcode reading machines installed in several places around the store.
โ Various types of rice. Indonesian rice is less sticky than Japanese rice, and not as dry as Thai rice, but its shape is closer to Japanese rice. Which one is tastier?
Dairy products are much more expensive than in Japan. There are few dairy farms in Bali, so yogurt costs about 600 yen for 500 grams. Oh, and olive oil costs about 1,800 to 2,500 yen for 500 ml.
Palm oil is widely distributed (it's a producing area), and a large bag costs about 300 yen. Wow, that's cheap. Of course it's widely distributed. However, I want to avoid palm oil as much as possible, so I don't buy it.
โ Things I bought on one day. Colorful!
Local vegetables and fruits are reasonably priced. Two long eggplants (very long!) are about 50 yen, 10 large mushrooms are about 140 yen (delicious), and a whole bunch of fresh basil and coriander are about 40 yen. Mangoes, which are in season now, are also about 100 yen each. Products not produced in Bali, as well as meat, fish, and eggs, are about the same price as in Japan or more expensive.
Vegetables and fruits are almost all sold by the gram. The staff weighs them and puts a sticker on them. At first, I didn't really know how to buy them, and it was inconvenient because I didn't know the price, but I've gotten used to it.
โ Tropical fruits come in many strange shapes.
I also bought some tempeh. It's the one wrapped in banana leaves in the bottom left of the photo.
Tempeh is a fermented soybean food. It has a unique flavor similar to natto, but is not sticky. It is made by fermenting soybeans with tempeh bacteria that grows on banana leaves.
They're palm-sized and cost around 40 to 50 yen.
Tempeh is an essential ingredient in Indonesia, and is sold not only in large supermarkets but also in local shops you may encounter. It is often sliced, deep-fried until crispy, and eaten with a spicy condiment called sambal.
I like to grill it until fragrant and eat it with ginger soy sauce, or add it to stir-fries.
Each bunch of leafy vegetables is wrapped in a banana leaf. So good!!
In this way, banana leaves are used as plates and to wrap rice.
Bananas are a big part of everyday life!
The banana pattern was designed after being attracted by its beautiful, flowing leaves and delicious, gentle fruit. It has an unpretentious and warm presence.
This banana-motif shoulder bag is also perfect for everyday use.
We're pleased to hear from many customers that it's convenient for both commuting and watching their children's soccer team.
Shopee: "This is seriously great! This is seriously great!!"
Recommended for men too. It's also a great accent color for the dark winter colors, so don't get caught up in the idea that bananas are synonymous with summer, but give it a try!
By the way, if you buy onions at a supermarket, a pack of three costs about 500 yen. Oh? That's surprising, don't you think? That's what I thought (there is a big price range).
So I mustered up the courage to go into a super local greengrocer. As a result, it was about half the price. It was a modest feeling of accomplishment!
No, but it's pretty deep!!
Do you get it? Please get it!!
``Huh? Is this still okay?'' There are shriveled eggplants and fish that smells really fishy in the fridge.
But of course you'll go in, right?
I also bought some tomatoes. I used a market bag . It's light and safe even if it gets wet. There are only a few left, so if you're interested, please hurry.
It wasn't that chaotic here. But it was dark inside, so I was a little worried about whether it was open.
I'm wearing strawberry pants . They're easy to wear and have a pretty silhouette, so I'm really enjoying them!
I buy mineral water.
Dash!! Contains 19 liters.
At first, Shopee had a bad back, so we went to the local convenience store and bought 6 liters of water instead of 2 liters. Finally, we got to a gallon!
You can buy this in a container at the supermarket (around 520 yen).
When the bottle is empty, you can take it to the supermarket and exchange it for a new water bottle for about 210 yen. I also bought the faucet on top.
It's wonderful to be able to drink tap water like in Japan.
This is the vegetable section of Bintang Supermarket. For some reason, it was extremely hot inside the building (even hotter than outside!), and I was rolling my eyes at times, but here's what I was thinking.
Convenient and easy isn't always good.
It may be a little inconvenient, and sometimes I think, "Oh noooooo!" But maybe it's actually just right. I'm happy to be able to do what I can now and use what I have, and even though it takes time to go shopping, it helps me become smarter.
There are many joys and happiness that can be felt precisely because of inconvenience. A little inconvenience can be fun, too.
If you are currently feeling stuck in some way, try choosing the more inconvenient or time-consuming option; you might find that it gives you more energy.
I thought I'd try making bread! But when I tried, I ended up with some kind of mysterious rubber. Something that I could never chew, with a distant hint of wheat gluten. I'll try again...
This has gotten long, but I hope I have given you an introduction to real life in Bali.
Nothing makes me happier than to have them smile as they feel the excitement of spending time together!
I'll report back to you soon! Bye. (Kurisawa ๐ฐ)
