East Asia Supermarket

On every visit to East Asia Supermarket, I have been the only person of Caucasian persuasion. It’s not a bad thing. In fact, I’m glad. It’s one of the secret ways I decide if a place is legitimate or not. Is it a trendy place riding a new fad, or is it a place specifically catering to a real demographic? East Asia is the real deal. As one friend put it: the less English on the package the better when looking for products from other ethnicities.

He tends to be right.

Packs of noodles with just a picture to clue one in on the contents from here have never disappointed. Neither do the fried headless whole bodies of little birds in what acts as the deli in the left side of the store. That’s a different trip consisting of adventurous eating that I’ll get to another time.

I came to East Asia on this occasion to pick up a sake drinking set for friends that have developed a taste for the potent elixir. Not a wide variety was offered, but the ones on hand were beautiful and nicely priced ($9.99) and will make a sweet gift.

Once in the kitchen product aisle, I couldn’t help but peruse the plate ware with images of fish drawn loosely in blue ink on them (ranging from $1.99 to 15.99 for saucers to large platters), and I picked a matched set of six for myself as well.

[East Asia Supermarket, 602 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253.473.0412]

Office Depot

I need to buy a new desk. I need it to be an extremely specific size and shape. I feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Then I recall Office Depot has these little cards that accompany most of the desks, chairs, bookcases and other office furniture. These cards are like magic; they contain all the specs on the furniture items — warranty information, construction materials, height, width, special features like pull out-keyboard tray, and much more. This makes buying a new desk a snap.

I pull out my measuring tape and determine the space I have for said desk at my house then get online and pay a visit to www.officedepot.com. After determining that I may like one or more of what’s offered, I get in my car and take my measurements to Office Depot and begin the real life compare-and-contrast portion of my shopping adventure. Within 10 minutes I know what desks will fit my needs.

Although the desk designs bore, I am pleased. Daunting task completed. Now, will the box fit in my car, and can I put it together by myself?