Local Guide: Japanese Culture & Ingredients
You can find Japanese culture in pretty much any city here in the U.S., from your favorite sushi restaurant to the manga section of your local bookstore. Our local expert, Minami, gave us a tour of her favorite Japanese spots in her neighborhood in North Carolina. Use this guide to find similar spots in your hometown!
Hi, my name is Minami Enokida, and I’m from Nagano Prefecture in Japan, the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Surrounded by clean air, pure water, and beautiful mountains, I grew up appreciating the simple beauty of nature. Nagano is known for its local dishes, fresh vegetables, and traditional foods like soba, all shaped by its rich natural environment. Food connects me to my hometown, its seasons, and its calm, uniquely Japanese way of life. Even though I now live in North Carolina, I can find pieces of home everywhere. Let me show you a few of my favorite places!
Toyo Shokuhin & Gifts
748 E. Chatham St., Ste L, Cary, NC 27511
In a Japanese grocery store, people can see, touch, and taste everyday ingredients that are part of daily life in Japan. It allows them to understand Japanese culture not through history books, but through real food, flavors, and products used at home. When you walk inside Toyo Shokuhin, it feels like you’ve stepped into Japan. The owner is very kind, and you can even enjoy conversations in Japanese and talk about Japanese culture. I bought matcha-flavored sweets, gummies and miso soup bowl. Matcha is one of the most iconic flavors of Japan, and I personally love the taste. I drink miso soup regularly, but I had never been able to find the perfect bowl. When I found one at this store, I knew it was the right place to finally buy it.
SORA Japanese restaurant
1035 Bethania-Rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC 27045
Food is one of the most accessible ways to experience a culture, which is why I recommend this Japanese restaurant. It offers a wide variety of well-known Japanese dishes such as sushi, ramen, and gyoza, allowing you to try many different flavors in one place. SORA was the first restaurant where I ate Japanese food after coming to the United States a year ago. The experience truly moved me, and it became a very special and memorable place for me. This time, I got sushi, takoyaki, tempra, and ramen. The ramen here is incredible. I also ordered nigiri sushi because its simple style really highlights the freshness of the fish, and the rice is made with Japanese rice, which makes it feel truly authentic.
Ebisu Life Store
3012 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607
When you’re cooking Polish food in the U.S., you often have to piece ingredients together from international markets. Saraga, a broad international grocery store, carries items that are essential for traditional Polish dishes and hard to find elsewhere. I got Polish pickles, lazanki noodles, and horseradish on my latest trip. Horseradish can be difficult to find fresh around here, but it’s an important ingredient in many Polish recipes and adds so much flavor. Polish pickles are a staple in Polish cuisine (and my house). They’re different from American pickles in both flavor and texture, and I always like to have them on hand. Lazanki is one of my favorite comfort meals, but most American grocery stores don’t carry that pasta shape, and I don’t always want to make it from scratch.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson St, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
You can go to this beautiful, serene Japanese garden is to experience the peace and serenity of nature in Japan. You can see famous traditional Japanese features like a red bridge and a bamboo grove. The garden also has beautiful benches and grassy areas, making it a perfect spot to bring sandwiches or onigiri and have a picnic, or just enjoy a moment of peace and quiet.
