Shop Like a Japanese Cook

When my Japanese husband and I first moved to Nashville in 2017, it was important to both of us that our new city had at least one place where we could regularly shop for Japanese ingredients. The “ethnic” sections in supermarkets were too sparse. Even the pan-Asian supermarkets, which consolidated Japanese items on just one out of many shelves, left me and my shopping cart unfulfilled. It wasn’t until we stepped inside Sonobana Grocery that I finally discovered a semblance of the kinds of shops my mother and I used to go for groceries and snacks in Tokyo—in other words, a taste of home. 

Sonobana means “flower of paradise,” and the store has been around since 1987 when it initially went by Benkay, named after a 12^th century samurai warrior. Located in the strip mall with the White Bridge Trader Joe’s, Sonobana is two businesses in one: a restaurant that serves traditional Japanese dishes like sushi and bento platters, and a grocery store spanning approximately 650 square feet. 

Sonobana stocks everything a Japanese cook could possibly need. It also functions as a community space where Japanese residents can mingle and Americans studying Japanese can practice their language skills with the staff. 

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Sonobana has been a lifeline for me and my family, especially during the pandemic, when we couldn’t visit our family in Japan. By recreating our comfort foods in our kitchen under quarantine, we were able to continue our culinary traditions and keep our spirits high, even when things got tough. It is my hope, both as a loyal customer and fellow Nashvillian, that more people will decide to pay them a visit and experience the warmth of everyone who works there. 

Here are my go-tos:

The Japanese Trinity
soy sauce + sake + mirin 

Mirin is like sake but with a higher sugar content. Before grilling, marinate meat in equal amounts to create the perfect teriyaki sauce. (Adjust the soy sauce depending on how salty you like).

White Rice
Stickier and fuller compared to jasmine or basmati, Sonobana stocks a variety of Japanese brands in bags as large as 15 pounds. My favorite is the Tamanishiki Super Premium Short Grain, which I wash and cook in an electric rice cooker on a daily basis. 

Other Pantry Items
Dashi powder and miso paste, which are combined to make a simple miso soup. 

Ramen 
Fans should look for the beloved Sun Noodle brand, used by professional ramen chefs. 

Quick Noodle Soup
Speaking of noodles, you can make a quick soup with soba (buckwheat), somen (thin with a 1-minute boil time), or udon (thick, great for winter). Combine with a bottle of concentrated broth, to be diluted in either cold or hot water. Top with a boiled egg, blanched spinach, chopped scallions, grilled chicken, a slice of leftover pork tenderloin, or even a slice of deli ham, and in just 15 minutes, you can have a nutritious and hearty meal suited for all ages.  

Here are a couple staples of Japanese comfort food that even beginner cooks can master, featuring ingredients from Sonobana Grocery.

Sonobana
40 White Bridge Rd, Nashville
sonobananashville.com
@sonobana_nashville