Where do you buy miso and seaweed?

I had miso soup the other day and really liked it, so I figured I would try and make it. Most of the recipes I read seem to use miso, seaweed, and something called dashi I think. Do I need to find a Japanese/Asian food store or will a regular store or health food store carry this?

Asian Grocery Market.  If you're close to Boston, go to Chinatown.

Cool. Maybe I'll head in this weekend and explore. I've never really been to Chinatown, despite getting off the T there a couple of times. Who knows what else I might find to try!

How close is the nearest Whole Foods? They carry miso and seaweed. Don't know about dashi, though.

Whole Foods are all over 50 miles away, but we do have a Trader Joe's and a Wild Oats. I stopped in Wild Oats once and saw how ridiculously expensive it is, and vowed to never go in again. I'm kinda poor and need the cheapest healthy food options I can get.

Natural markets have it, and most grocery stores carry a type of miso soup and seaweed in their oriental foods aisle.

But definitely try to go to a far east market of some sorts.  Using miso paste with dashi stock tastes better than the store-bought packets.

Original Post by ainedb:

Whole Foods are all over 50 miles away, but we do have a Trader Joe's and a Wild Oats. I stopped in Wild Oats once and saw how ridiculously expensive it is, and vowed to never go in again. I'm kinda poor and need the cheapest healthy food options I can get.

 

Whole Foods bought out all of the Wild Oat's stores a few months ago and most are either totally transitioned over or in the process. The only good thing about this is that they now have store brand (cheaper) stuff. I saw a whole sectons of seaweeds and things when I was in one in Andover, MA a few days before Thanksgiving.

Most co-ops and health food stores typically carry these products as well. 

I can get it at my local grocery store. Check at the place you usually shop. If they don't have it, they may get it in for you if you ask.

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