Until recently I didn’t really make a whole lot of food at home here in Japan. I mostly ate out or bought take home (a bento is only 500yen). Normally I generally only cook when it’s for someone else but now that I’m between jobs I’ve been trying to save money and one way is to make my own meals. And so, even though I’ve see these places around I never really paid attention but now I’ve finally had a reason to notice that if you need cheap groceries then you should find your nearest Niku no Hanamasa.
They basically seem almost like a restaurant supply store. Most things come in sizes that are generally larger than you would buy at a normal supermarket. But, for Japan, the prices are pretty good. For example 4 large boneless chicken breasts for like 399 yen (about $3.50 U.S.). I bought 3 packs (12 breasts), cut them up and wrapped each one in saran wrap and froze them. At any time I can pop one out and quickly make something yummy.
If you are a starving student or just want to save some money you can find your nearest store here.
Yeah, I love that place.
I used to go to one located near an underpass in Akihabara.
確かに肉のハナマサは安い（業務用）。パーテイのし出しにはいい。しかしもう少し日本はスーパーマーケットが24時間営業になっても良いと思う。コンビがありすぎる。。。
Just about every Japanese person I have asked about 肉のハナマサhas said that the meat is suspiciously *TOO* cheap…. “Ayashii….” The stuff probably comes from China and is pumped full of Steroids and other hormones to the point of glowing in the dark. Super cheap though….
David, I wouldn’t pay any attention to Japanese people who cast suspicion on anything that’s cheap. They make automatic assumptions that expensive is obviously good and cheap is obviously bad, and they never take a closer look to find out the facts. This goes for food, package holidays, TV’s, property…
I’m as concerned about steroids and hormones in food as anyone else, so I just try to avoid American meat.