Photos by Shigemi Niki ()
From food to daily commodities and kitchenware, DAISO offers a wide selection of items! This includes many high-quality items that are also a hit with foreign tourists.
We spoke with Mr. Yuto Sasayama, a staff at the popular DAISO Shinsaibashisuji 2-chome store, to find out about their latest kitchen utensils and gadgets. Located on the bustling Shinsaibashisuji shopping street, DAISO Shinsaibashisuji 2-chome is a 100-yen shop (110 yen including tax) that is frequented by foreign guests.
Thanks to careful countermeasures against Covid-19, such as disinfecting the shop and products, you can feel at ease when shopping.
1. Multifunctional Kitchen Tongs
Most kitchen utensils and gadgets can be found on the fourth floor. Out of the many items available, we recommend the handy multifunctional kitchen tongs.
Mr. Sasayama added, “In addition to being able to detach the bottom of the tongs, there are over ten ways to use this one item. This includes using it as a strainer for boiled macaroni or as a utensil when grilling ingredients.”
Due to tablespoon and teaspoon measurements being etched into one of the spoons, it also acts as an exceptional item that can be used as a measuring tool. This is great because it means you don't have to do as many dishes.
Another nice feature is that it comes with a stand that elevates the end of the tongs, making sure that they don’t get dirty. This enables you to use them multiple times, even after setting them down. You can use it to season, mash, and fry ingredients. What’s more, the spoon can be used as a scoop for tasks such as extracting the yolk from an egg.
2. Butter Peeler Knife
The butter peeler knife makes it easier to thinly shave hardened butter right from the fridge, just by lightly putting the top of the knife on it and pulling back.
Mr. Sasayama commented, “The top of the knife is small, so you can easily use it even if the butter is in a case.”
Thinly-sliced butter melts easily, so you can spread it on your toast stress-free. Also, if you’re conscious about your calories, you can easily control the amount of butter you use because the knife allows you to shave it little by little.
3. Convenient Cutting Board Sheet
The convenient cutting board sheet is great for using in small or confined spaces. It’s often an issue that prepped ingredients fall off the edge of smaller cutting boards. However, this item is slightly elevated on one side and has a curve that makes it difficult for even finely chopped ingredients to get away.
It’s a hygienic product that can be bleached, used in the dishwasher, and even withstand boiling water. Mr. Sasayama vouches for this excellent cutting board, noting, “This board has thought of everything from placing a hook-hole so that you can hang it to having a slit where you can drain water from various ingredients.”
4. Boil-in-bags
Boil-in-bags can be used to boil ingredients with the bag. Made out of thick polyethylene, it withstands temperatures from -30 degrees Celsius to 110 degrees Celsius. With this bag, ready-to-cook ingredients and seasonings can be boiled or stored in the fridge or freezer.
A great feature of these bags is that they are long and easy to tie. Mr. Sasayama highly recommends this item emphasizing, “You can put multiple bags in one pot, so it’s a time-saver. In addition to cutting back on dishes you have to wash, the bags can be used to store supplies in the case of an emergency.”
5. Microwave Pasta Cooker
The microwave pasta cooker is an item that enables you to cook pasta using a microwave. All you need to do is put pasta, water, and a little bit of salt into the cooker and microwave it without the lid. If you are making pasta for one (approximately 100 grams) in a 600w microwave, you should add an additional four minutes to the time you usually boil it. Once it’s done, you just put the lid on and drain the water.
You can cook up to 150 grams (the amount for 1.5 people) at one time. Mr. Sasayama mentioned, “There are holes on the back of the lid so you can measure the amount for 100 grams and 150 grams of pasta. This cooker allows you to boil pasta easily without any worry of water overflowing from the container.” It's an easy-to-use item even for those who don’t cook regularly.
6. Stretchy Silicon Wrap
Stretchy silicon wrap is a low-cost, high-value item that you can repeatedly use in the place of plastic wrap. It comes in three sizes, so you can choose depending on the size of your container. With the bumpy side up, put it over your container of choice. It’s an excellent item that can be put in both the freezer or the microwave.
Mr. Sasayama told us, “Because it is made out of non-slip material, you can put it under your grater or squeezer when you want to prevent any movement or slippage. What’s more, it can even be used to open lids.”
With the silicon wrap also reducing plastic waste, you can kill two birds with one stone. This is a handy item that, once you start using, you won’t be able to stop.
7. Grab Mitt with a Magnet
Plates straight out of the microwave are too hot to hold! A handy item for when you have such a problem is the grab mitt with a magnet. It’s made out of soft material that enables you to grip onto the edge of the plate firmly.
According to Mr. Sasayama, “The right and left sides of the mitt are slightly different in size, so we recommend placing the larger side on the bottom for some more stability.”
With built-in slip resistance, you can hold any plate firmly. Furthermore, it features an integrated magnet so that you can stick it on your fridge to use at any time.
8. Sponge Holder with a Hook-on Claw
The sponge holder with a hook-on claw enables you to drain water from your sponge just by placing it on the holder. With the sticker on the back, you can stick it on smooth surfaces such as the kitchen sink or bathroom mirror.
Additionally, you can adjust the height of this cat-shaped holder by bending the neck. This allows you to use it sanitarily while efficiently draining water from the sponge.
Mr. Sasayama commented, “This is a hygienic product that drains all the water from your sponge. It’s a standard and popular item that has continued to sell well.”
There are many other types of sponge holders in addition to the cute, cat-shaped one we introduced today. This makes it fun to pick the one you like best. Try finding a sponge that best matches the atmosphere of your kitchen!
9. Marseille Soap
Natural and organic soap from France known as Marseille soap can now be found at DAISO! People from around the world love this soap. What’s more, it can be used as both hand and body wash. The stylish and sophisticated soap is an item you’ll be even happy to decorate your kitchen with.
The fact that you can buy this soap at DAISO is thanks to the hard work of the buyer. Mr. Sasayama remarked, “Due to being able to smell the soap from outside its packaging, many women are attracted to the fragrance and end up buying one.” Rose and jasmine seem to be the most popular at this store. You can find them on the third floor.
10. Hand Mixer
The item in which Mr. Sasayama told us, “This item is not 110 yen, but I highly recommend it.”, is the hand mixer (165 yen). “I think this is a price that even beginner cooks would be happy with.”
Because they’re not included, you will have to buy two Alkaline AA batteries separately. With its easy-to-hold shape, this hand mixer is great for making homemade mayonnaise, dressing, or foaming up some milk for your latte. Another great aspect of this item is that the whisk is detachable, allowing you to wash everything with ease.
DAISO Shinsaibashisuji 2-chome Store on Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street
The DAISO Shinsaibashisuji 2-chome Store is on Shinsaibashisuji shopping street close to both Osaka Metro’s Shinsaibashi Station and Namba Station. It’s the perfect place to stop by when shopping on this famous street where around 180 shops can be found.
DAISO is located on the second to fourth floors of a building. With all registers located on the second floor, it’s possible to pay with UnionPay cards and credit cards. All of the store’s signs are in Japanese, but you can find information in English and Portuguese on the product tags.
Some items are more than 110 yen, but it’s still incredibly reasonable when taking into consideration that the market price for similar products at other shops are from 1,000 yen to 2,000 yen. Because there are some that sell out immediately, we recommend purchasing items as soon as you find one you like.
Covid-19 countermeasures Indoor disinfection measures taken/Sanitizer installed/Disinfection of stands, registers, escalators, etc. /Ventilation measures in place /Coin trays used /Plastic partitions installed/Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature/Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell /Guests are required to wear masks
*Unless stated otherwise, the prices for items we introduced are all 110 yen (including tax). *The number of items in-stock depends on the store.
DAISO Shinsaibashisuji 2-chome Store
Address2-2-19, Shinsaibashi, Osaka Shi, Chuo Ku, Osaka 542-0085
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Closed: Open daily
Via Live Japan
