Finding the time to leave the house and actually go holiday shopping might seem next to impossible. But there’s a way to make things more efficient: While you’re making the Herculean effort to pick up a take-out noodle soup or a cart full of groceries at your local Chinese, Japanese, or Korean supermarket, know that options for holiday shopping are all over the aisles. Broadly speaking, the housewares, beauty, and stationery sections at these stores are full of great gift ideas, particularly in the “stocking stuffer” category — and particularly if your recipient is really into food.

This online shopping guide obviously negates the whole point of picking up extra items while you’re buying groceries, but should serve as inspiration the next time you’re pushing a cart down the aisles. If you’re adding these to cart, though, throughout this guide we’ve suggested purchasing from AAPI-owned businesses alongside the bigger box retailers where possible, to keep the original spirit of the practice alive. — EDJ


Ceramic mug with lid

| Nanoblock

Nanoblock ramen set

Prices taken at time of publishing.

The Japanese 3-D block company Nanoblock is seemingly ubiquitous now (there’s a whole section dedicated to them at my local Japanese supermarket), many nodding to Pokemon and anime characters. But among their food-dedicated offerings are mini sets dedicated to sushi, chocolate, and burgers and fries. The sets are true to their name; the tiny blocks make a finished product usually just inches tall, which makes the item a great stocking stuffer and the completed project a fun little desk accessory. I’m partial to this ramen set, which looks just like the emoji. — EDJ

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