FOOD
Home for the Holidays
It can't be denied - arguably
the most important elements to the holiday season are food, food and more food. Whether
you're planning the party to end all parties or you just want something to snack on to
cure that homesickness, Margaret Dickinson gives you a little taste of home, just in time
for the holidays.
National Azabu
National Azabu and its associated store Den'en Supermarket have a long tradition of
serving the gaijin community. The wide variety of foods they carry keeps the foreigners
happy.
What they have: Turkey (order ten days in advance), ham, duck, sausage,
Norwegian smoked salmon, cheese, baking supplies, takeout foods, canned goods, wine,
liquor and party goods.
Home delivery? Orders over JY10,000 are free.
Location: 4-5-2 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku. Five minute walk from Hiroo station on the Hibiya
line, across from Arisugawa Park.
Hours: Open 7 days a week from 9:30am-7pm.
Tel: 03-3442-3181.
Kinokuniya International Aoyama
This upscale supermarket knows how to do the holidays in style. They have the traditional
holiday meal for takeout plus one of the best bakeries around. A good selection of wine
and liquor as well.
What they have: Turkey, ham, duck, pork, packaged stuffing, takeout
meals, fresh baked pumpkin and apple pies, a great cheese selection, free gift-wrapping
and parking.
Home delivery? Anywhere in Tokyo; small delivery charge.
Location: 3-11-7 Kita Aoyama, Minato-ku. Three minute walk from Omotesando subway station,
exit B2.
Hours: 9:30am-8pm daily, except for the first four days of January.
Tel: 03-3409-1231.
Other Locations: 1-16-1 Naka, Kunitachi-shi, Tokyo (0425-75-1111); 7-18-1
Todoroki, Setagaya-ku (03-3704-7515); and 3-7-3 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
(0422-21-7779).
Meidiya
This store doesn't just look attractive, it also has an attractive array of imported
foods, along with a wine cellar on the premises. There is free one hour parking at Hiroo;
other locations include Roppongi and Ginza.
What they have: Frozen turkeys (order six days in advance for cooked),
ham, duck, takeout meals, baking supplies, nice selection of wine and liquor.
Home delivery? JY5000 minimum order for next-day delivery.
Location: 5-6-6 Hiroo, Hiroo Plaza 1F, Shibuya-ku; across from Hiroo station, Hibiya line.
Hours: 10am-9pm daily.
Tel: 03-3444-6221.
Party/Les Caves Taillevant
These wine shops show off a superior selection of wines at probably the best prices in
town. Wines are sorted by variety and price, with most ranging from JY1500-JY2500. A brief
description of the wine is posted above each of the 200 or so in stock. If you're still
not quite sure which wine goes with what, ask the knowledgeable staff for what they
recommend.
What they have: Lots and lots of wine.
Home delivery? By takkyubin, anywhere in the Tokyo area; no minimum purchase required.
Location: Near JR Ebisu station on the ground floor of Ebisu Garden Place.
Hours: Wine Market Party, 11am-9pm; Les Caves, 11am-7:30pm. Closed Mon.
Tel: Wine Market Party 03-5424-2580; Les Caves 03-5424-2581.
Kyle's Good Finds
This bakery will make you feel like you're right at home with every bite you take of his
baked goods, each created with care.
What they have: Delicious baked goods including real American chocolate
brownies, bagels and New York cheesecake.
Home delivery? Costs JY2500 per kilo, plus JY740 for delivery.
Location: 2-7-10 Arai, Nakano-ku. An eight-minute walk from Nakano station.
Hours: 10am-6pm Mon-Sat.
Tel: 03-3385-8993.
Sanmi Discount Shop
Sanmi has provided imported goods of value for the past 39 years. Its sales of spirits and
chocolates make it an ideal destination to shop for reasonably priced seasonal gifts.
What they have: Among other things, Toblerone and Cadbury chocolates,
English jams and kippers (oak-smoked herring).
Home delivery? For large quantities.
Location: One minute walk from Ginza subway station, on a side street off Ginza 4-chome
near Mitsukoshi department store.
Hours: 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm Sat-Sun.
Tel: 03-3561-9891.
Daimaru Peacock
This chain of stores imports from top supermarkets in the UK, offering some great bargains
hard to find elsewhere.
What they have: Earl Grey and English Breakfast leaf teas, chocolate
digestive biscuits, English bread, apple pie and salmon imported from Norway.
Home delivery? No.
Locations: Branches located in Shimokitazawa, Mejiro, Ebisu, Azabu, Aoyama and Fujisawa.
Hours: 10am-8pm at most stores.
Tel: 03-5378-2107 (answering service).
Kaldi Coffee Farm
Offers those junk foods you've been craving, at low low prices.
What they have: Unique cheeses, a large variety of tea, coffee, and
cocoa, French jams, Canadian maple syrup, baking goods, lots of cookies and chocolate,
plus ethnic foods.
Home delivery? By takkyubin.
Location: Various locations, including right outside Shimokitazawa station on the Odakyu
and Inokashira lines.
Hours: 10am-9:30pm daily.
Tel: 03-3422-9512.
Levain Bread
Mikio Koda, trained by a French craftsman, opened this bakery over twelve years ago to
sell his bread, which is said to be easier to digest and healthier than most others.
What they have: A variety of different breads including rye, whole meal,
walnut loaf and nut or fruit breads.
Home delivery? By takkyubin.
Location: 2-43-13 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku. Nearest train stations are Yoyogi Hachiman on the
Odakyu line and Yoyogi Koen on the Chiyoda line.
Hours: 8am-7:30pm Tue-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat-Sun. Closed Mon and third Sun.
Tel: 03-3468-9669.
Hanamasa Meat Pavilion
This shop attracts not only everyday shoppers but professional cooks as well. The more you
buy, the cheaper it is.
What they have: A huge selection of meats, fish and traditional foods at
good prices. Specialties include the Australian filet steak, French fries and canned
asparagus.
Home delivery? By takkyubin.
Location: 8-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Four minute walk from Shimbashi station on the Ginza line.
Hours: 9am-10pm.
Tel: 03-3571-1571.
Carnival
Offers an adequate range of discounted imports for take-away European dishes.
What they have: Specialties include English marmalade, Mexican tortillas,
cheeses and baking goods.
Home delivery? By takkyubin.
Location: Kichijoji Honcho 2-10-12, Musashino-shi.
Hours: 10:30am-9:30pm daily.
Tel: 0422-22-3303.
Takano
A meat market and deli.
What they have: Original sausages come in 12 varieties, all at very good
prices.
Home delivery? No.
Location: 3-26-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; almost directly opposite Studio Alta.
Hours: 10am-8pm daily.
Tel: 03-3354-0222. |
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