Well, again, it depends on if you into cooking. I am a novice as well. I consider anyone who wasn't trained in France to be the same

. But I really love cooking and learning new cultural recipes. I have no idea if an Asian market here would compare to Okinawa but I remember my first time shopping at H Mart in Wheaton. Who knew there were 100 different types of soy sauce? Also discovered many varieties of rice, noodles, condiments (shrimp paste, anyone?), as well as prepared foods. And the produce also seems to be much fresher, cheaper and of course, a more expansive variety. H Mart actually specializes in Korean foods but you will find a little of everything there. Same with other Asian markets. The Washingtonian had a great article about these markets in this pasts months' issue. Check it out when you have time.