Mayonnaise flavored what???

After spending the day at the Nerima Festival, we stopped by the store to pick up ingredients for dinner.  We needed some basics, like onions, broccoli, and milk.  But we also ran by the freezer section just to see if there was anything new.  In true Japanese style, the ice cream selection did not disappoint.

The first thing that caught my eye was mayonnaise flavored ice cream.  As I threw up a little bit in my mouth, I looked at my husband and said "is this really what I think it is?"  He replied "if you think it is mayonnaise ice cream, you're right!"

Right next to the mayo concoction was a tamagoyaki (rolled omelet) flavored ice cream.  While I'm a huge fan of tamagoyaki, this was beyond my ability to declare 'cultural differences!'

Next we found a couple really Japanese flavors of Haagen Dazs.  Kinako with kuromitsu (roasted soy bean flour that tastes like ground peanuts and black sugar syrup) and Zunda (sweetened mashed green soybeans) are two famous traditional treats.  I like them in the original form and am excited to try them as ice cream flavors.

Haagen Dazs also had lychee & raspberry as well as melty maple & cookie.  They just keep coming up with new and enticing flavors.

The most shocking item - even more than the mayonnaise and tamagoyaki flavored ice cream - was the "kodomo no nomimono" or children's only beer.  Made with sugar and apple flavoring.  I remember candy cigarettes from my childhood (that are still common in Japan), but fake alcohol, too?  It boggles my mind.

Finding fun things at the grocery store is such fun for me.  Although it takes a lot more to catch my eye these days, when I find a treasure, it is truly delightful.