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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

6. You can buy alligator meat.
There are other exotic reptiles available if you prefer lizards.

7. LCD screens advertise the products in every aisle.
These advertisements can change with the displays.

8. Rice is sold in giant, open vats.
Customers just scoop their quantity into a bag, similar to produce in America.

9. There are luxury candy sections.
Flickr user David Thiel was surprised at the impressive selection when he visited a store in Shanghai.

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.”



We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
New Pokémon x Ippudo collaboration has Pikachu on board as ramen chef
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
New Pokémon x Ippudo collaboration has Pikachu on board as ramen chef
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Mr. Sato searches for the 10 best pairs of underwear to go with his punch perm
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
SoraNews24’s Mr. Sato reveals the shocking truth: He’s not really Mr. Sato!
The three ways to say “love” in Japanese, and when to use them
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Mr. Sato searches for the 10 best pairs of underwear to go with his punch perm
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
SoraNews24’s Mr. Sato reveals the shocking truth: He’s not really Mr. Sato!
The three ways to say “love” in Japanese, and when to use them
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
Starbucks Japan unveils new Sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2025
Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
Travel tip: Fukuoka has a great luggage delivery service that’s cheaper than a coin locker
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Leave a Reply