Wal-Mart just recalled donkey meat in China because it contained meat from other animals, including fox.
Despite the recent scandal, the mega-retailer has become wildly popular in China. Wal-Mart plans to open 110 additional stores there in the next few years.
Shopping at a Chinese Wal-Mart is totally different from shopping in one in the U.S.
We highlighted some notable contrasts.
1. People pick up raw meat to buy with their bare hands.
Reuters captured this image of customers selecting pieces of rabbit meat with their bare hands at a Wal-Mart Supercenter in the Chongqing municipality.
Photo: Reuters
2. The crowds are way worse.
Reuters shows an insane stampede at a newly-opened Shanghai location. Travel writer Catherine Bodry says that Chinese Wal-Marts are uncomfortably crowded inside, with no room for personal space.
Photo: Reuters
3. You can catch your own frogs, fish, and turtles.
American YouTube user ILuvTrading was a little creeped out by the open tanks. He also notes that they smell bad.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
4. You don’t buy in bulk.
Most Chinese shoppers don’t have space at home to store massive quantities of food, so Wal-Mart offers smaller quantities there.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
5. Wal-Mart offers free bus rides for shoppers.
YouTube user SurfDawg5 highlights how Wal-Mart makes it easy for shoppers to get to the store.
Photo: YouTube
6. You can buy alligator meat.
There are other exotic reptiles available if you prefer lizards.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
7. LCD screens advertise the products in every aisle.
These advertisements can change with the displays.
Photo: PRNewswire
8. Rice is sold in giant, open vats.
Customers just scoop their quantity into a bag, similar to produce in America.
Photo: Wootang01 on Flickr
9. There are luxury candy sections.
Flickr user David Thiel was surprised at the impressive selection when he visited a store in Shanghai.
Photo: David Thlel on Flickr
10. Foods are mostly kept in the open instead of being packaged.
“The Chinese are more focused on eating natural-looking food straight from a farm,” Brian Sozzi, chief equities strategist at Belus Capital, told us. “It doesn’t make sense to necessarily package a piece of steak at a Wal-Mart China.”
Photo: JKSolomon on Flickr
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Visiting Japan’s muscular mascot character dog at his free museum near Kansai International Airport
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Visiting Japan’s muscular mascot character dog at his free museum near Kansai International Airport
Best burger in Tokyo? JB’s serves up a cheap craft burger that not a lot of people know about
These Japanese contact lenses let you put anime characters on your eyes [Photos]
Time-lapse footage shows just how fast rebuilding in Kumamoto can go
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Best burger in Tokyo? JB’s serves up a cheap craft burger that not a lot of people know about
These Japanese contact lenses let you put anime characters on your eyes [Photos]
Time-lapse footage shows just how fast rebuilding in Kumamoto can go
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Body of missing foreign tourist in Japan found floating off coast of town he was last seen in
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Google’s first Google Store outside the U.S. is now open in Tokyo
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Krispy Kreme Japan is baking up two new donuts that you can only get at one spot in the country
New Wet Rice Cracker Burger from Dom Dom breathes new life into a “miracle” snack
Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
7-Eleven Japan has a “Super Spicy! Taiwan Mince Cutlet” that’s fiery red… but how hot is it?