1.
department store basement food hall
the basement floor(s) of Japanese department stores that contain high-quality food shops, delicatessens, and confectioneries
A blend of デパート 'department store' + 地下 'basement'.
Types
- 惣菜: prepared dishes, deli food
- 弁当: boxed meals
- 和菓子, 洋菓子: Japanese and Western confections
- 手土産: gift sweets to take when visiting someone
Cultural note
デパ地下 food is high in quality and price, and its boxed sweets are a standard 手土産. Shortly before closing, prepared foods are marked down (値引き), which draws evening shoppers.