Visited the area around Hokkaido University in September 2022 for a cycling tour. Noticed a prominent sign that immediately gave off a "Chinese vibe" with its red and yellow colors. Inside the store, there was a deep layout with a wide variety of authentic Chinese seasonings. While some items like Chinese soy sauce and black vinegar were recognizable, many other seasonings were unfamiliar. However, just seeing them was exciting. The freezer section also had a wide selection of authentic Chinese ingredients. I wondered if these were for commercial use or for Chinese students studying in Japan. I bought two Chinese-made fried snacks, one shrimp-flavored and one beef-flavored, to try as a snack with alcohol. Personally, I prefer Japanese-made snacks. The staff at the store spoke fluent Japanese when interacting with customers, but their conversations among themselves were in Chinese.

I felt like I was on a sightseeing trip when I entered the restaurant!

I like Chinese food. But when I say I like it, I only usually eat dishes like sweet and sour pork, fried rice, and yakisoba. I rarely eat full-course meals, and I realize I don't know much about how to use Chinese ingredients. So when I visited a Chinese grocery store, I had no idea what to buy. I ended up buying a funny-looking milk drink, some sweet potato ice cream, and Taiwanese sausage. The Taiwanese sausage tasted like a Chinese-style hot dog, not a modern flavor. They were all new and unique tastes that I had never experienced before. I think I need to learn more about Chinese cuisine before visiting again.