Visit Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Market

We attempted to go to the Fushimi Inari Shrine because my husband wanted to visit, but it was way too crowded with too many influencers impeding the paths and walking in the wrong direction, so I was over it early on.

However, I did enjoy the market and the foods stalls - there was so much to choose from (including inari, of course). 

The best thing I ate was this Fried Yuba + Cheese from a tempura stand.

Fried Yuba + Cheese

Other items we ate / drank:

OREO Nutella with Whipped Cream Waffle from Crazy Waffle Kyoto

Cinnamon Sugar Churro

Fushimi Japanese 100 Yen Sake

Beef Korokke with Cheese

There was an abundance of food stalls, and if we hadn't already eaten lunch earlier, we probably would've eaten more.

Next time, we'll make sure to get to the shrine early and indulge in more eats at the market!

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Visit Hong Kong: Wan Chai Wet Market

I think it's important to visit local grocers, markets, farms, and other operations whenever and wherever we travel to learn more about heritage and culture.  While in Hong Kong, we took the kids to the Wan Chai Wet Market, where they got to see a lot of food stalls they wouldn't typically see back home.

We saw all sorts of seafoods, meats, animal parts, and more. 

It was important to me to show the kids what people in other countries cook and eat, and to keep an open mind and not look at the foods negatively just because it's different from what we see, and they were all very intrigued by what they saw.

We thought it was really interesting to see such huge abalone and crabs, and all sorts of fish and seafoods that we don't see in Hawaii.  

It was also neat to watch the stall owners cut up the meats and to see the various parts they sell - parts that are commonly discarded elsewhere.

It's always an educational adventure when visiting markets while we travel!

Wan Chai Wet Market
G/F, 258 QUEEN'S ROAD EAST

WAN CHAI, HONG KONG

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Marukai Marketplace Bento and Deli Corner

Mochiko Chicken Curry Bowl

Marukai Marketplace, located in Kaka'ako, is mostly known for their wide selection of oriental groceries.  But did you also know that they have a huge selection of freshly made bentos and deli items as well?  

Yesterday I was short on time and needed to pick up lunch to take back to the office. I headed to Marukai and found what I was looking for - a great tasting mochiko chicken and curry bowl for $4.99!  

Marukai is a membership store, but it is open to the public.  Members are entitled to privileges such as preferred pricing and discounts to Marukai partners like Prince Court, Restaurant Suntory, Gyu-Kaku, Stage, Kissaten, Hakone, and many others.  Marukai has two locations on Oahu - Kaka'ako and Dillingham.  

Marukai Marketplace

1020 Auahi Street

Honolulu, HI 

(808) 593-9888

Mon-Sat: 8 am  - 9:30 pm

Sun: 8 am - 8 pm

Marukai Wholesale Mart

2310 Kamehameha Highway

Honolulu, HI 

(808) 845-5051

Mon-Sat 8 am - 8 pm

Sun: 8 am - 6 pm

Website: www.marukaihawaii.com

Twitter: @marukaihawaii

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Malama Market

One day our family stopped by Malama Market in Haleiwa to buy some goodies to snack on.

Pistachio Pudding Cake

12 Count Mini Brownie Bites

Crispy Crunchy Choco Chip Cookies

Malama Market offers a large variety of baked goods (made locally), and it was so hard to choose which items to get.

The Pistachio Pudding Cake is one of their popular items, and it was very good - light, moist, and delicious.

I don't usually care for crispy cookies, but the chocolate chip cookies were really good, and so were the brownie bites.

If you're in the North Shore area of Oahu and need to satisfy your sweet tooth, check out all that Malama Market has to offer!

Malama Market
66-190 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712
(808) 637-4520

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