Japanese grocery stores in the United States and territories

This list is sporadically updated but should be reasonably current.

Japanese food is getting more and more popular across the United States. Korean-oriented markets also carry a lot of Japanese food supplies. (Chinese markets do not necessarily carry Japanese food, though they may have some items.)

Note that Amazon Groceries carries several Japanese food products..

Below is a reader-contributed list of brick-and-mortar Japanese grocery stores and stores selling food-related items in the United States. Don't forget to look through the comments also! Note that California and the New York-New Jersey - Connecticut areas have their own pages.

Bento fans should also check Where and how to buy bento boxes and equipment on our sister site, Just Bento.

Nationwide chains

99 Ranch Market
Chinese and English web site
Chinese chain. General Asian food supplies. Many locations throughout California, one in Las Vegas, two in Washington State, one in Georgia.
Daiso
English web site
Worldwide store list
Daiso is a Japanese dollar store type chain. They seem to be expanding rapidly overseas. They have 9 stores in the U.S. as of Feb. 2008 according to their website, all in California and Washington State, but keep checking to see if they are opening more. A good source of cheap kitchenware, tableware, non-perishable food items and bento supplies (selection differs according to the location).
Han Ah Rheum/Super-H/H-Mart
www.hmart.com
A rapidly expanding Korean supermarket chain with stores in NY, NJ, PA, CO, IL, MD, CA, WA, CA, DC; expanding to other states (TX, etc.).
Mitsuwa
www.mitsuwa.com
Stores in California, Illinois and New Jersey (addresses listed below in the regional sections). Mostly supermarket size stores. Often with a mini-mall with independent stores attached.

Arizona

Tucson

17th Street Farmer’s Market
840 E 17th St.
Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: (520) 792-2588
Comments: "Also a fairly large market with lots of locally grown produce and a really nice fish market. This market doesn’t supply as much as G & L (see below) however but does have a fairly decent Asian grocery section. -(Reiko)
G &L Imports
4828 E 22nd St.
Tucson, AZ 85711
Phone: (520) 790-9016
Comments: "This is a fairly large market for lots of different types of Asian groceries and household items. Additionally, they have a warm foods cabinet where you can get char-siu, bao, noodles, and the occasional bbq duck. They will also take orders for any of their hot foods if you like to order in advance for pick up." -(Reiko)
Sandyi Oriental Market
4270 E Pima St.
Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone: (520) 320-0389
Comments: "Mostly a Korean market but has LOTS of Japanese groceries and household items. This is my favorite place to shop and not just because it’s less than five minutes away from where I live. It’s a small store but clean and well organized and run by a very friendly family. Often this store carries some of the harder-to-obtain items that can’t be found at the other markets in my area (like a huge selection of pre-packaged tsukemono, ice cream bars, new crop rice, and many different types of frozen fish). I also come here because the owners make take-out foods like spicy fried chicken and sushi, all nicely packaged up. They also offer fresh bakery goods, individually packaged." -(Reiko)

California

See the California page.

Colorado

Pacific Mercantile Co
1925 Lawrence St
Denver, CO USA
303-295-0293
www.pacificeastwest.com
Comments: "I’ve shopped here for years. Beautiful produce, excellent fresh fish counter, foods from or used in Japan — canned, frozen, dry-packaged. Large varieties of rice, seaweed, noodles, tea. They also have a housewares section. The store is downtown so parking is metered." - (Harper)
Pacific Ocean Int’l Supermarket
2200 W Alameda Ave # 2B
Denver, CO 80223
(303) 935-2470
Comments: "Chinese, Japanese and other Asian products. Very large (larger than it looks from outside). Large nice produce selection. This is where I come if I can’t find something anyplace else. Not a lot of ambience and the location looks run-down but lots of parking and good prices." - (Harper)

Georgia

Atlanta area

Buford Highway Farmers Market
5600 Buford Highway
Doraville, GA 30340
Tel: (770) 455-0770
Comments: "The store does have a bit of a funny smell to it but it is half spanish half asian. They have a good selection of food and a small area for kitchen supplies with onigiri molds and dumpling makers. Not bad if you know what you want." -(Jessica)
Gwinnett International Farmers Market
3825 Shackleford Road
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 921-8288
Comments: "This store has much more kitchen items such as takoyaki pans, mandolin slicers, fish shaped pancake molds. They also have a good food selection and also an area with food to order." -(Jessica)
Super H Mart
2550 Pleasant Hill Rd
Atlanta, GA 30349
(678) 417-0206
Also at
6335 State Route 85
Riverdale, GA 30274
(this location has more housewares, gift items, Sanrio, etc)
Comments: "of course the creme of the crop. Very busy on the weekends but a great selection. They have 2 locations in the atlanta area and are building a 3rd this year." - (Jessica)

Guam

Tokyo Mart
Monticello Plaza
Chalan San Antonio
Tamuning Guam
671.646.6615
www.spej.co.jp/tm.htm
Comment: "Compact but fairly complete shop with twice a week shipments from Japan. Canned, frozen, dry goods, bakery items, fresh produce, fresh and frozen fish mainly from Japan, small meats selection from the US featuring Angus beef and Berkshire pork. Some European gourmet food items. There is a tiny kitchen that provides an extensive selection of ready made bento meals daily. Housewares, beauty and health products, Japanese-language video shop, and Japanese magazine subscription service also available. Located near Cost-U-Less, with a large adjacent parking lot." - *santos*

Hawaii

There are several Japanese markets in Hawaii, and regular supermarkets and convenience stores like 7-11 and ABC Stores also stock some Japanese-ish snacks and so on.

(See Bento sightseeing in Hawaii)

Marukai Wholesale Mart
2310 Kamehameha Highway
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
Tel: (808) 845-5051
Also 2 other location (check website)
English and Japanese web site
Comments: "Japanese Food, Fresh Food, Bento, Asian Food, Hawaiian Food, Souvenirs(Chocolate, Cookies, Coffee, etc.), Liquor, Beddings and Furniture, Health Products, Home Furnishings, Appliances, and Antiques." -(anon)

Other stores - listings to be added: Shirokiya, Don Quijote,

Illinois

Mitsuwa Chicago
100 E. Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 956-6699
English website, Japanese website
Said to have bento supplies. Open 7 days/week.
Sea Ranch Grocery
3223 Lake Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-7010
Comments: "My mom has shopped here for decades. It’s a small shop but densely packed with Japanese groceries. Next door is a fish store, you can order sushi platters or purchase slabs of fish that you can slice at home." - (JO)
J Toguri
851 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL
Tel: 773 929 3500
Comment: "I wanted to recommend a store in Chicago I haven’t seen listed on here. It’s pretty small and most of it is devoted to gift items and books, however there is a decent size section of Japanese foods. If you can’t make it out to Mitsuwa, and need a basic staple this may be a good choice."

Indiana

Asia Oriental Market
2400 Yeager Road
West Lafayette, IN
765-463-4114
Comments:"They try to be a (small) grocery store that covers all of Asia, so their Japanese selection is a bit limited, but still worlds beyond a standard grocery store. Their produce isn’t good, but that have a lot of canned/dried/refrigerated stuff you can’t get much anywhere else around here." -(Randomscrub)
One World Market
8466 Castleton Corner Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Tel: (317) 842-3442
Comments: "We just visited this store today and were very pleased. It has a nice variety of everything, including fresh vegetables and fish as well as sushi. I don’t have the hours, but they are closed Monday." -(anon)
Sakura Mart
2450 E 71st St
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317)726-1755
Small store, focusing mainly on pantry goods, frozen foods, and snacks, but they do have some housewares and fresh things. Their sushi-to-go case is a cut above as their sushi comes from the related Sakura Restaurant next door, which is often acknowledged as the best place in town for sushi. Some prices are a little high, but on the whole they are comparable to pan-Asian markets in the area, and have a much larger selection of Japanese goods than anywhere else in the Indy area. -(Denise)

Louisiana

New Orleans metro area

Hong Kong Market
925 Behrman Highway
Gretna, LA
504-361-8008
Comments: "They do not have a web site, but there is a good review with pictures here. This is a huge supermarket with an incredible selection of Asian foods. The market is located in a strip mall targeted towards the large Vietnamese population in New Orleans, but there are a lot of Japanese and Chinese products. There is a large frozen foods section (with green tea and red bean ice cream!) and a house wares section with dishes, sushi supplies, rice cookers, etc. They carry Japanese candies and sodas also. I have always been able to find what I am looking for there. They do not carry bento gear." - (Traci)

Massachusetts

Kotobukiya (CLOSED)
1815 Mass Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140
Lotte
297 Mass Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: 617-661-1194
Comments: "Korean grocer. Small store, jam-packed with things like the biggest bags of red peppers I’ve ever seen. -(Pam)
Mirim
152 Harvard Ave
Allston, MA 02134
Comments: "Korean-Japanese grocer. Tiny store with good selection." -(Pam)
Reliable Market
45 Union Square
Somerville, MA
Tel: 617-623-9620
Comments: "Korean-Japanese grocer. Large store with excellent selection and reasonable prices." -(Pam)

Michigan

Several Japanese bloggers living in Michigan mentioned they go to the Mitsuwa supermarket near Chicago (see Illinois listings).

Hiller’s Marketplace
3615 Washtenaw Avenue (in the Arborland Mall at US 23)
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Open 8 AM to 11 PM Monday through Saturday; 8 AM to 9 PM on Sunday
Tel: 734-677-2370
English web site
Comments: "This is a real surprise: a locally owned chain of grocers with a great selection of Japanese food. They may have only 2 packages of each item on the shelf, but they must have 50 different items. And they restock regularly so the stuff has not sat for years waiting for a buyer! They also have a whole freezer case devoted to frozen foods, and some refrigerated items. Apparently one of their stores has an even better selection “at 14 Mile and Haggerty Roads is home to Metro Detroit’s most extensive Japanese food selection. Come speak with Satomi Matsuda, who directs our Japanese services division to discover a whole world of new flavors and healthy eating.”" -(Tess)
Hua Xing Asia Market
1867 Washtenaw Ave
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Tel: (734) 528-3355
Comments: "Huge pan-Asian store. It used to be a car dealership and you can see that history in its current layout. There is a decent selection of Japanese staples, snacks, and frozen foods, but you have to go up and down the aisles because the store is not organized by “culture.” Good fresh produce (though sometimes it’s not so fresh). Live fish and turtles and frogs can be frightening, but they also have cleaned and filleted fish that is very fresh. They also have a selection of dishes and equipment." -(Tess)
Korean Market
(It actually has a Korean name, but it escapes me right now -Tess)
3893 Platt Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Tel: (734) 487-9898
Comments: "Tiny store located in a strip-mall anchored by a gas station. It took me months to venture in because it looked so small, but when I did: WOW! Most of the merchandise is Korean, but they have the freshest Japanese vegetables anywhere. Occasionally they have very fresh fish. They stock all the Japanese staples you’ll need on shelves or refrigerated/frozen. They even have some equipment and dishes! Just think “skinny” and don’t even try to use the shopping carts: the aisles are that narrow." -(Tess)
Koyama Shoten
37176 Six Mile Rd
Livonia, MI 48152
Tel: 734-464-1480
Comments: "Although I like to shop at One World Market listed [below], since this store is only 5 minutes from my house, this is where I usually go to get quick, fresh, entirely lovely sushi and Japanese ingredients. Koyama Shoten is the typical small neighborhood-style store, however it stocks a very high-quality selection of fresh ingredients such as vegetables and fish. Both the frozen and the dry goods sections have almost anything you would need, but with less options than a big store. I like the basket on the front counter with its daily selection of warm roll-your-own hand rolls in convenience packaging. They rent Japanese videos and sell magazines, sundries, etc as well. And finally, I love that this store is a very friendly family-owned store!" -(anon)
"They have a very nice and clean grocery store as well as a very friendly and helpful staff. They occasionally have a few bento boxes and they always have a small variety of picks, separators, and other kitchen items. They have a lovely selection of ceramics. They also rent movies and have magazines." -(Kirsten)
Mirai
42705 Grand River Ave, #B
Novi, Michigan, 48375
Tel: 248-374-3200
English and Japanese web site
Comments: "Mirai is such a special place here in the Detroit area, that even though it is not a grocery store, I feel that it must be mentioned. Where else in a Midwestern industrial state like Michigan could you possibly find 250 Japanese magazines? A broad selection of Japanese books and learning materials for children and adults? The PERFECT brush pen, as well as a good selection of brushes & ink stones for sumi-e, kanji paper, and other needs of the Japanese student? They have a coffee bar (green tea slushies!) and snacks in a refrigerated case, so maybe it counts as a grocery store after all. They also carry a good selection of origami paper and a few books, many gift and decorative items, Japanese cosmetics, and a huge rental video section." -(anon)
Noble Fish
45 E. 14 Mile Rd
Clawson,MI 48017-2132.
(248) 585-2314
"Sushi bar in back. Most comprehensive Japanese grocery store. Closed Mondays." (from the web)
One World Market
42705 Grand River Ave, #B
Novi MI 48375
Cross Streets: Between Market St and Constitution
Tel: 248-374-0844
Webpage with details
Comments: "This store is so big it really is a super-market, and is about the size of 3 small “neighborhood” Japanese grocery stores! You will find here a very large selection of beautiful fresh fish and an excellent variety of fresh Japanese vegetables. They also have a large case of frozen goods, a decent-sized section that stocks Japanese health and beauty aids and kitchen appliances, what looks to me to be a large selection of sake, and really wonderful sushi! I have heard that this store is the “sister store” to the locally highly-regarded Noble Fish. Both carry excellent and similar sushi. You can rent Japanese videos and buy Japanese books, magazines, cosmetics, origami paper, writing materials, etc from Mirai 2 doors north." -(anon)
"All Japanese groceries. Very fresh fish, nice produce, large frozen food section, lots of Japanese snacks and pantry staples, some dishes/equipment." -(Tess)
Oriental Mart
2800 East Grand River Ave.
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 337-2519
Comments: "Very large grocery store. Everything for Chinese, Japanese, Indian cooking and more. Organized vaguely by region. Fresh fish, produce, cooking equipment etc. Staff very helpful." - (Todd)
Tsai Grocery
3115 Oak Valley Drive
Cross Streets: Between Airey Ct and Scio Church Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Tel: 734-995-0422
Comments: "This store is as big as One World Market, but it has less Japanese items overall, as it has well-stocked subsections of Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, and Philippine ingredients as well. It has good sushi which comes from a restaurant (Godaiko) a few doors away. The produce selection is fresh and varied, and there are more choices in the frozen and meat sections since other Asian cuisines are represented. The store carries interesting sundry items as well. This is a great place to shop, but quite a drive from most of the Detroit suburbs where there are other good options, although without as many ingredients from different Asian cultures under one storefront." -(anon)
"Good selection of Japanese food (they also own the Japanese restaurant next door), especially a good variety of miso, tofu, konyaku, pickles, and other refrigerated items. The Japanese sections are separated from other Asian foods: soy sauce, tamari, vinegar, noodles, canned goods, and snacks have shelf space distinct from Chinese, Korean, Thai etc. merchandise. Large selection of frozen foods (fish, meats, prepared products). Some cheap household goods (plastic strainers, flip flops, vegetable peelers), some nice dishes, good electric rice cookers and other equipment." -(Tess)

Minnesota

United Noodles
2015 E 24th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Monday to Saturday: 9am - 7pm, Sunday: 9am - 6pm
Tel: 612-721-6677 Fax: 612-721-2019
Email: info [at] unitednoodles [dot] com
Website
Comments: "has some Japanese products, not a whole lot." -(JO)
"i’m not sure how long it’s been since you’ve been to united noodles, but last time i was there (last month), they had expanded their japanese products considerably. nothing compared to, say, uwajimaya in portland, but they do carry stuff that i’ve had a difficult time finding here in chicago, such as the ajishima brand furikake with no preservatives or MSG. i always stock up whenever i go home and end up coming back with more food in my suitcase than clothing. ^^" -(army_kitten)

Missouri

Chong’s Oriental Market
701 Locust St
Columbia, MO
Tel: (573) 443-1977
Comments: "It is a smallish store but they have a great variety of items… some fresh veggies, lots of canned items, refrigerated section, frozen section. People are very friendly. They have some cooking utensils too. I was able to pick up a Benriner mandolin slicer cheaper than I’d seen it online!"

Nevada

99 Ranch Market
(owned and operated by independent licensee, whatever that means)
4155 W. Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Tel: (702) 364-8899
Hours: 8:30 am - 10:00 pm
Part of 99 Ranch chain of Chinese/Asian markets. See top of page for details.

New York, North New Jersey, Connecticut

See the NY-NJ-CT page.

Ohio

Jungle Jim’s International Grocery
5440 Dixie Hwy (Rte. 4)
Fairfield, OH 45014
Phone: 513-674-6000, Fax: 513-674-6001
Email: contactus at junglejims dot com
7 Days a Week 8am - 10pm
Web site
Comments: "This is in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, a huge six-acre grocery store that specializes in carrying foodstuffs from around the world as well as more everyday grocery items. Their Japanese section is pretty well stocked with frozen and non-perishables. To date, I have not noticed any bento boxes, although they do carry some chopsticks and onigiri molds in the cookware section, which is worth a look. A must-see for any foodie, really." -(DM)
Tensuke Market
1167 Old Henderson Rd
Columbus, OH 43220
614-451-6002
Mon-Sat 10:00 - ?, Sun 12:00 - ?
Comments: "Popular Japanese grocery store with a decent selection of perishables, non-perishables and frozen foods. They also carry sushi grade fish. Customers are primarily Japanese. In the same shopping center is a Japanese gift store, bakery, and a sushi bar." -(DM)
A fairly detailed review of their takeout sushi etc.

Pennsylvania and South New Jersey

See also the NY-NJ-CT page.

Han Ah Reum/H-Mart
7320 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Tel : 215-782-1801
also at
7050 Terminal Sq.
Upper Darby, PA 19082
Tel : 610-734-1001
also at
1720 Marlton Pike.
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Tel : 856-489-4611
www.hmart.com
Nation-wide chain. See top of page for general comments.
Comments: "These are all within minutes from downtown Philadelphia. I’ve personally never been, but commenters above have already mentioned their wares." - (yoko)
Maido!
36 N. Narberth Avenue
Narberth, PA 19072
(about 25 minutes from downtown Philly)
(610) 747-0557, fax (610) 747-0541
Email:seiko [at] maidookini [dot] com
English site, Japanese site
Comments: "Small store, but good selection of produce, frozen items, and packaged foods. Also has a limited selection of toiletries, household appliances, books, magazines, and paraphenalia. There is a lunch counter where you can get made-to-order okonomiyaki and yakisoba, as well as onigiri and sometimes sushi." - (yoko)
"The store is small but seemed to have a good selection of Japanese foods. They also sell (or maybe rent) DVDs and other media. There is a lunch counter that serves okonomiyaki, and they also make and sell onogiri." -(Valerie)
Tokyo Japanese Store (東京商店)
5855 Ellsworth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Tel: 412 661 3777 Fax: 412 661 3773
mailorder [at] tokyostorepgh [dot] com
Japanese and English web site
10 am–7 pm (Tues–Sat) 10 am–5 pm (Sun) Closed Monday; Parking space available
Comments: "A small store with nice staff. They sell a selection of Japanese staples and frozen foods, as well as cup ramen and a reasonably-sized video rental corner. No alcohol, thanks to the Commonwealth. They generally take a couple vacations a year where they’re closed for a week or two, one around Thanksgiving." -(Christina)
"Tokyo is small but it’s the only Japanese run Japanese food store in Pittsburgh that I know of. It has the basics, sells Japanese style pastries/sweet bread (melon pan, etc.) and even has some rentals for Japanese TV shows. My favorite thing about the store is the Japanese-style bentos they make fresh everyday. There is usually a selection of two or three kinds and they are yummy!" -(morgan)
Young's Oriental Grocery Store
5813 Forward Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Tel: (412) 422-0559
Mon-Sat 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Korean and English web page
Comments: "A small Korean-owned grocer, this store carries a good amount of Japanese food products, snacks, breads (think melon pan, anpan, an donuts), as well as big bags of rice and Japanese style electric rice cookers. Just be sure to check the “sell by” date on everything before you check out though." -(morgan)

Oregon

See below under Washington State/Oregon.

Texas

Austin

Asahi Imports
Northwest Center
6105 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
Tel: 512-453-1850
Open Daily 10:00am - 7:00pm
Website
Facebook
"We've been specializing in Japanese food since 1967"

Dallas-Fort Worth area

Hong Kong Marketplace
1816 E. Pioneer Parkway
Arlington, TX 76010
Tel: (817)265-1488, Fax: (817)459-2345
Sunday - Thursday 9:00am - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday 9:00am - 10:00pm
Website
See below for comments on the Dallas store.
Hong Kong Marketplace
9780 Walnut St # 360 (North Dallas)
Dallas, TX 75243
(972) 437-9888
Sunday - Thursday 9:00am - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday 9:00am - 10:00pm
English website
Comments: "This is in North Dallas, and was my go to place for Asian cooking supplies when I lived there. There is a Japanese isle and an excellent selection of dried ramen, Asian vegetables, and seafood. If you go to get staples like soy sauce and rice vinegar, check out the versions on the Chinese isles. They are cheaper than the ones on the Japanese." -(Susan)
Seabose Grocery, Sushi & Seafoods
2760 Trinity Mills Road #102 (Far North Dallas)
Carrollton, TX 75006
214-483-5839
Japanese website
TUE-FRI 11:00-7:30, SAT 8:30-7:30, SUN 11:00-6:00
Tel: 214-483-5839, Fax: 214-483-2196
Comments: "Small, excellent Japanese grocery at Trinity Mills & Marsh. Sushi fish comes in on Tuesdays and Fridays. They are happy to answer questions and everything we’ve gotten from them has just been fantastic. Sushi available for takeout only; calling or faxing ahead is recommended." -(Lyn never)
Shop Minoya
3115 W Parker Rd
Plano, TX 75023
Tel: (972) 769-8346
Comments: "You can find almost all the basic Japanese ingredients you need, some kitchenware and bento supplies, frozen food, canned food, sweets and snacks, beverages and etc. I feel that the prices are reasonable too. This is one small authentic Japanese shop which I like to go even if I have totally no idea what I want to buy. I always leave the shop with several plastic bags of goodies. I absolutely love the shopping experience there!" - (Jaslene)

Houston area

Dun Huang Supermarket
9889 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX, USA 77036
Comments: "I haven’t gone to this one yet because it’s new, but I’ll give you a ‘review’ when I check it out." -(Steph)
Hong Kong Food Market
11205 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX 77072
(281) 575-7886
Also at
13400 Veterans Memorial Dr
Houston, TX, USA 77014
Tel: (281) 537-5280
Price range: $-$$, but mostly $
Comments: "I have been [to the Veterans Memorial Dr. store] a couple of times, and they do have some Japanese items and produce (like the other one on Bellaire Blvd), so it’s not too bad =) It has less of a selection of everything (it’s smaller) than the other one though. But it’s cleaner." -(Steph)
Golden Foods Supermarket
9896 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX, USA 77036
(713) 772-7882, (304) 325-6262
Price range: $-$$, but mostly $
Comments: "They (Hong Kong Food Market and Golden Foods Supermarket) sell all-around (though mostly chinese and vietnamese) asian products/food: I prefer ‘Golden Foods Supermarket’ between the other one though, because it is much cleaner and newer (just opened a year ago I think) than Hong Kong Food Market, but HKFM is bigger (at least I think so). But these are both pretty big, it’s just that HKFM smells xDD" -(Steph)
Nippan Daido
11146 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77042
(713) 785-0815
English and Japanese web site
Mini-chain with stores in White Plains NY, Fort Lee NJ, and Houston Tx. Food, housewares, kitchen appliances, video rentals.
Price range: $$ (moderate)
(recommended by Steph)

Welcome Food Center (惠康超級市場)
9180 Bellare Blvd
Houston, TX, USA 77036
Tel: (713) 270-7789
Comments: :This one I have been to, but I went there a long time ago, so I can’t really remember if they have alot of Japanese items. I think they have a fair amount, but it’s mostly Chinese/Vietnamese.: -(Steph)

Washington D.C./Maryland/Virginia

Daruma Japan Market
6931 Arlington Rd.
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301)654-8832
Tue - Sat : 10:00 - 20:30; Sun : 11:00 - 18:00
Japanese only website (the owner also has a golf-oriented blog)
"Largest selection of Japanese foods in the metro area."
Han Ah Reum
8103 Lee Hwy
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703)573-6300
See above Nationwide section. Korean grocery chain with many Japanese products.
Hinata
4947 St. Elmo Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301)656-1009
Comments: "Small Japanese food store specializing in sushi carry-out."
Naniwa Foods
6730 Curran St.
McLean, VA 22101
(703)893-7209
Comments: "Authentic Japanese food store with large selection of premium sake."
"Naniwa, although the only truly Japanese store in the area, does not take credit cards (a dismaying fact I tend to forget when I go there)." -(renae)
Lucky World
3109 Graham Road
Falls Church, VA
(703) 641-8585
Comments: "Large Asian Food Store with selection of Japanese goods." -(anon)
Lotte Mart
11190 Parklawn Drive
Rockville, MD
(301) 881-3355
also at
3250 Old Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA
(703) 352-8989
Totally useless website
Lotte is a huge South Korean-Japanese conglomerate. They seem to have just the two stores in the U.S., though it's hard to tell at all from their crappy website. They also operate fast food restaurants and manufacture snack foods. They also own a baseball team in Japan. Wikipedia entry.
Comments: "Large Asian Food Store with selection of Japanese goods." -(anon)
Super H Mart
10780 Fairfax Blvd. (Lee Hwy.)
Fairfax, VA 22030
800-427-9870
Part of the Han Ah Rheum/Super-H etc. chain - see Nationwide section above. Korean grocery with Japanese products.
"My favorite of all the stores I’ve found in Northern Virginia is Super H, which Lisa mentioned in her comment." -(renae; originally recommended by Lisa)

Washington State/Oregon

99 Ranch Market
22511 Highway 99
Edmonds, WA 98026
Tel: 425-670-1899
Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM / 7 days
Also at:
18230 E. Valley Highway #100
Kent, WA 98032
(425) 251-9099
Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM / 7 days
Comments: "I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the 99 Ranch Market chain yet! There are two here in western Washington, one very near my house, just as large as Uwajimaya and cheaper!" -(Shannon)
Daiso
See top of page for general comments.
Alderwood Mall
3000 184th Street SW, Suite 398
Lynnwood, WA 98037
Mon-Thu 10:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-19:00
Also at
COMMONS
Space #D-12,2013 S.Commons
Federal Way,WA 98003
Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 11:00-18:00
Also at
West Lake Center
400 Pine St.Suite 1005
Seattle WA 98101
Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-18:00
Also at
Bellis Fair Mall
One Fair Parkway #618
Bellingham WA 98226
Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 11:00-18:00
Comments: "Daiso is a Japanese dollar store carrying some food items (snacks, candy, and other convenience foods) as well as a large variety of other Japanese products for $1.50 USD (up to $5 USD for some items). This is a great resource for Japanese cooking utensils, Bento boxes and accessories, and all kinds of other odds and ends."-(Augustina)

Uwajimaya
15555 NE 24th St. & Bel Red Rd.
Bellevue, WA 98007
Phone: (425)747-9012
Mon.-Sat. 9AM-10PM, Sunday 9AM-9PM
English and Japanese website
also at
600 5th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 624-6248
Mon.-Sat. 9AM-10PM, Sunday 9AM-9PM
also at
10500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale HWY
Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: (503)643-4512
Mon.-Sat. 9AM-10PM, Sunday 9AM-9PM
Mailorder via Amazon.com
Comments by Maki: Uwajimaya, or Uwaj' as it's affectionately called by locals, is a family run operation. Their flagship store in Downtown Seattle is about the size of a supermarket. It carries about 50%-60% Japanese food, plus Chinese, Korean and regular-American food (fresh produce, meat, etc). Very well stocked. Parking can be a bit of a pain on busy weekends, due to its popularity. A wonderful center of the Asian community. At the Downtown store, there is a small sit-down area to enjoy takeout style sushi and bentos, and a Kinokuniya bookstore attached. A Daiso is located right across the street. (Based on Jan. 2011 trip.)
Other comments: "The stores are pretty large and have good selections of just about anything you’d need to cook Japanese food. The Beaverton and Seattle locations also have a Kinokuniya bookstore. All the grocery stores have Japanese groceries, butcher and fishmonger. They also have all sorts of Asian foodstuffs, dishes, cutlery, appliances and toys." -(tami)
"Both stores carry a number of "international" goods, but they have a very Japanese focus. Prices are middle-of-the-line." -(Dina)

Viet Wah
1320 S. Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104
Tel: 206-329-1399
English web site
Also at
6040 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Seattle, WA 98118
Tel: 206-760-8895
Also at
2820 N.E. Sunset Blvd.
Renton, WA 98056
Tel: 425-336-6888
Comments: "Vietnamese grocery with Japanese products (food and rice cookers). Produce is always cheap, fresh, and plentiful." -(Lillian)

U.S. only mailorder-only sites

The stores listed with web sites above will sometimes also have mail order services - check the individual listings.

In addition, the following companies are primarily (or solely) mail order places, who ship only within the U.S.:

Bento fans should also check Where and how to buy bento boxes and equipment on our sister site, Just Bento.

  • Amazon.com - Groceries, Gourmet Food, kitchen equipment. JH Amazon astore with some of my recommendations (help support the site, at no extra cost to you!)
  • Japan Super. Online Japanese grocery store. Ships within the 48 contiguous states. Their online catalog lists a wide variety of Japanese foods. Based in California.
  • KOAMart: Korean food, some Japanese food also.
  • Sugar Charms: Cake decorating supply store that also has a good selection of bento items. "I really like sugarcharms.com for interesting and moderately priced bento items." -(Becki)

See also

Geographical bento suppliers list at Live Journal bentolunch community

Is your favorite grocery store missing? Leave the details in the comments! (Once the info in a comment is incorporated into the main article, the comment will be deleted.)

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to this page! I couldn't do it without you!

(Last updated Feb. 4 2011)

Filed under:  japanese ingredients shopping equipment and supplies usa

Comments

We usually can get by with just going to the big natural food chains, which have enough Asian stuff, fresher than you get in the Asian food stores. For instance Central Market, Sprouts, Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. The stuff they don't have you can usually make: for instance, gyoza skins are not that hard to make, and who wants to use month's old packaged skins, or worse yet, old frozen gyoza?

Lisa, thanks for the link! I'll link back to it and add more info here (especially for certain areas)

Mark, well not everyone has those stores near them. And they are limited to the U.S. Also, judging from what I saw last year at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in NYC, their selection is not that comprehensive - yet, and I'm not sure if they ever will be, since they have to cater to many different tastes. (You could make the same argument about any 'ethnic' cuisine...sure Whole Foods may stock a whole lot of say, Mexican ingredients, but...etc.) And frozen gyoza skins are really handy :) A good grocery store should not have old frozen prepared foods anyway (of if they do, they are to be avoided).

the only japanese food products i find myself buying from natural food stores are low sodium wheat-free organic tamari and eden brand umeboshi, because none of the asian markets i've found in chicago (the city, not the suburbs) carry umeboshi without MSG and food coloring in it. er, well, i did find some low sodium umeboshi once, but it was really gross. also, seaweed is super expensive at healthfood stores—usually about three times the price of seaweed from an asian market.

I disagree with Mark also. The produce selection at Whole Foods just isn't diverse enough. They don't always carry Japanese sweet potatoes, and they only have a couple of sad-looking Japanese cucumbers and less than 10 baby bokchoys to choose from, whereas (maybe not all) Asian supermarkets would have a gigantic pile of them, along with 10 other kinds of Chinese greens, and a lot cheaper and fresher too. The American-made "miso" Whole Foods carries is also grainy and inferior.

Grand Asia Market
http://grandasiamarket.com/

1253 Buck Jones Road (South Hills Mall in Cary)
Raleigh, NC 27606

Not specifically Japanese, but a great selection of Asian foods, produce and crafts. Bigger than any Asian grocer I've been too -- probably in the range of H-Mart and the like, but not a chain.

This is a great place for veggies and fruits too. That's why you'll often see us South Asians in the produce section, in lieu of going to our own "Indian" stores. The only place that's comparable for produce for South Asians in the area is probably Around the World Market, and that's a South Asian themed market.

Anyway, Grand Asia is really fun. They have one rack devoted to South Asian grocery items (most of which we don't even use, like pre-made curry powders), but the East Asian selection just wows me every time. There is also a fish market and a deli/cafe sort of thing. They sell beautiful cakes and sweets there.

My girlfriend and I actually checked this out this place a few weeks ago. It's great! You're right about the East Asian section, there really is a great choice.

Toyo Shokuhin in Cary is pure Japanese foods and a delightful 'mama' who always adds a bit of 'service' - as in a pack of homemade sushi or a homemade daifuku for each of us. We drive two hours to get there every other month or so and come home with all the basic ingredients (katakuriko, daikon, miso) and starters (cha-han, okayu) that I used as a housewife in Japan. Plus uniquely Japanese sembei and candies that the kids fall on like it's old home week.

Fujiya Market

1318 Airline Dr,
Bossier City,
LA 71112-3002,
United States

(318) 747-7830

A little Japanese store with many many things, including serten Thai(for some reason) stables I couldn't find at other stores such as lemon grass and kaffir lime leaf, the woman there is very helpful and fluent in English..

Nam Hai Oriental Food Market
918-438-0166
1924 S Garnett Rd
Tulsa, OK 74128

This market is HUGE and has just about anything you want. All things Asian. Live seafood, lots of produce, all kinds of dried foods, teas, oils, sauces, condiments, kitchen ware, clothes and even a rack full of fresh packed lunches if you get there around 11am. To my complete joy, they have also added a Mexican section. I'm going shopping there this weekend :)

Asian Mart
918-622-2237
12919 E 31st St Tulsa, OK 74134
http://asianmart.biz

There is another Asian supermarket in Tulsa, just a short distance away from Nam Hai. It carries food from most Asian countries as well as a wide variety of other items from clothing to cookware and dinnerware. They even have a deli!

Oriental Shop
1029 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 251-7991

Although its name is Oriental Shop, it almost exclusively sells Japanese products. It's a small family-run store with a limited amount of fresh produce, but otherwise with a surprisingly wide variety of Japanese food items, along with a selection of tableware and cooking utensils. Sashimi grade fish is available every other Saturday.

As mentioned above with some people from Michigan, a fair number of Wisconsinites looking for Japanese stuff go to the Mitsuwa in Illinois as well. :)

Here are a few more that I know of in Wisconsin:

The Garden Asian Market
6136 University Ave
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 238-7889

This medium-sized store has a Chinese focus, but has a considerable amount of Japanese cooking staples and more common ingredients. I was also impressed with the selection of just about everything, especially tea and sweets. The produce quality here is rather hit-or-miss, but if what you came for is fresh, you'll get quite a deal. They also have a meat counter and, strangely enough, a gas station.

Midway Asian Market
301 S Park St
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 255-5864

Midway is large and has items from all over East and Southeast Asia as well as some from Mexico. The quality is hit-or-miss with produce and some packaged goods, but I have never had a problem with any of the Japanese brand food products I have bought there. They also sell some kitchen appliances and dishes. The wide variety of products and low prices are the best things about this place. Payment must be in cash.

Oriental Food Mart
633 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 733-4680

This small family-run shop has mainly dry goods. It has mostly Chinese products, but has a fair amount of Korean and Japanese food items as well. It also sells some tableware and Chinese gift items. Prices are very reasonable.

Oriental Food Mart
1206 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 255-0326

This place is rather small but easy to spot from the road by the sign in the window - Korean characters in red neon. Has a decent variety of dry goods and frozen items, as well as some prepared desserts.

Also

Thai Asian Market
N 56 W 14108 Silver Spring Dr.
Suite 111
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

It's substantially Thai, but the owners have close ties to the handful of Japanese area residents, and are willing to carry pretty much anything they can get.

I'm a linguistically handicapped American, so these reviews aren't as good as they could be...

Asian Midway Foods
301 Park St.
Madison WI

Midway (further north on Park St) sells some Japanese food items. There are several varieties of dried seaweed, but I haven't managed to parse the labels yet. The ginger, limes, lemons and some seasonal fruit seem to be good. Other produce can be iffy. They sell short grain rice, but are a better supplier for jasmine rice. The store is relatively large and quite crowded, so if you do not read Chinese, Thai or Japanese you may have problems.

Oriental Food Mart
1206 Park St.
Madison WI

This is a Korean market and is a better supplier for short grain rice than either Midway or Oriental Market. They also stock a wider selection of udon noodles, gyoza and other prepared foods. They have both premade furikake and furikake ingredients (including several sorts of dried fish and dried shrimp). If you do not read Korean, some items may be mysterious, but it's a bit friendlier for the language handicapped American than many stores. The produce is not something I'd touch, but the frozen food has good turnover.

Woodman's is a local "American" chain, but their ethnic cuisine aisles are relatively useful, particularly for the timid English speaker. They stock a lot of Kikkoman products labeled in English that you don't see in a typical American grocery store. Most ingredients seem to be for Cantonese cuisine rather than Japanese tho.

There is another "asian grocery" along Fish Hatchery Drive that I keep meaning to visit.

The Asian market on Fish Hatchery (right next to the Little Big Load laundromat) seems to be Hmong, and most of the food in it is southeast asian. Some of the stock looks on the old side, but the couple things I have bought there while waiting for laundry have been fine.

Fubonn Supermarket
www.fubonn.com

2850 SE 82nd Ave, Ste #1
Portland, OR 97266
(503) 517-8877

This place is really pretty big and also has several other cool stores in the building. It's considered an Asian marketplace.They carry most anything you might want, however, I have a few major complaints about the place. I rarely buy anything there and find myself shopping at the local natural markets because it appears they import nothing but MSG filled products or other preservatives and artificial colors are in most of the products. I really wish that I could figure out why this is...

I've been to this store and probably won't go back. The produce looked horrible, the worst I've seen anywhere! The smell of the store was overwhelming, and not in a good way, and almost all of the "fresh" fish was previously frozen. . .what a big disappointment!

There's a very tiny Japanese store that I've tried, Nakata, and it's clean and fresher smelling, but the selection is extremely small. Again, a disappointment because I couldn't buy really fresh fish or the wonderful, freshly-made tofu I grew used to in Tokyo. They also didn't have any of the pickled veggies I was craving. However, they do stock quite a few of my favorite shelf or non-perishable items.

Fooks Foods a Specialty Produce & Asian Goods Market
1005 Baxter St
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 208-8839

This store was small but had a huge selection of every Japanese ingredient I could ask for. Fresh produce, miso, curries, powdered and prepared wasabi, 20 brands of rice at least, tiny dried fish, pretz, lots of other things. Even Ramune soda in a refrigerated section. The shop was very clean and nice, but the owner was VERY rude.

Many Lands Market
1145 N 500 W
Provo, UT 84604
(801) 375-3789

Chao's Trading Co
77 N University Ave
Provo, UT 84601
(801) 377-8845

First Oriental Market
286 N State St
Orem, UT 84057
(801) 221-5949

All three are mainly Chinese/Korean, but they all a Japanese section with a good selection of Japanese items. Between the three of them I can find just about anything I need.

A new Korean/Asian grocery store chain called super HMart is now in Houston.

1302 Blalock Rd. 77055
713.465.8300
http://www.hmart.com

This store is wonderful. It is a korean superstore but most Japanese and Koreans use alot of the same type of ingridients. They have everything you can imagine. Im going this saturday to shop. Aside from their HUGE selection of Japanese ingridients, they also have a vast selection of mini cafes inside ( things such as sushi market, noodle house that has many soups like rice cake and fish cake not to mention their somen for the hot summer days now all ready to be purchased for eating). Everything in the store in extremely fresh including their seafood section. This market is also very reasonably priced. Another thing is that this store also sells appliances like rice cookers and fish grillers. This is great because it means we no longer have to purchase online for hard to find things like rice cookers and such. They have many well brands like zojirushi and panasonic. Im telling you this store has it all. Variety, Quality, Price. A great addition to the Houston Area. If you go to their website you receive 10$ off online purchase for those interested.

Hana Market

3457 Bethel Dr # A
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 463-7434
www.hanamarketinc.com

Korean and Japanese grocery store with some produce and lots of frozen items, including a large variety of seafood. Some Japanese items, and not much housewares. The Korean restaurant next door always smells wonderful.

Austin, TX- just a few I have been to, there are many more around town

Asahi Imports
6105 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 453-1850
Small shop, mainly groceries (including refrigerated and frozen) and dishes

MT Supermarket
10901 N. Lamar Blvd., Bldg G
Austin TX 78753
512-454-4804
http://www.mtsupermarket.com/

Very large pan-Asian grocery- Japanese items are on the "International Foods" aisle- a lot of fun to browse. Also has a ridiculous amount of frozen buns and dumplings.

Momoko
705 W 24th St # A
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 469-0232
http://www.momoko-gifts.com/

Mainly a cutesy gift shop, I think they have bento accessories, but I haven't been in years.

Korean & Japanese Grocery & Gifts (aka K.S Oriental)
1729 E Riverside Dr # A
Austin, TX 78741
(512) 445-7458

The guy at the counter was very helpful when I was trying to find an obscure rice. The small place is crammed full of all kinds of wonderful things, lots of fun cheap stuff, too.

K S Oriental Market is permanently closed.

Japan-sage Market
1515 S Main St
Salt Lake City, UT 84115-5315
Phone: (801) 484-4122

A small shop located minutes (on foot!) from where I work. Reminds us of a small shop in Kyoto. Wide range of packaged and refrigerated/frozen items, confections. Wonderful Bentos. Even has a few Japanese publications and videos. Locally-owned -- definitely deserves a visit.

I just wanted to second this vote. Perhaps this will eventually go into the main list--it has been on here some 4 years! Anyway, the store is still well-stocked, with many fresh/frozen/packaged Japanese essentials, including some household small appliances and conveniences, such as utensils, towels, etc., and giftwares as well. Their prepared bentos are amazing, and they offer homemade ramen and soba bowls at VERY reasonable prices. Many popular drinks are there as well. Finally, the staff is very professional and courteous beyond necessity, remembering regular customers and answering any question.

The Mitsuwa Marketplace in the Chicago suburbs has a few types of bento boxes - none of the older traditional styles, but they do have some "4-lock" style models and some simpler compartment boxes with clear, sealing lids. I also found a few extras like little food picks and plastic "grass" separators. Since it's a full Japanese supermarket, food items are not a problem to find. They also have a lot of kitchen/cooking supplies, including rice cookers of all sizes and styles.

I recently bought from there an Asvel brand "4-lock" 950 ml bento box, with adjustable divider and chopsticks in a compartment in the lid. It also came with a "thermal pouch" to keep the box cool or warm, and a thick elastic band to wrap around the pouch once it has your bento box inside.

Note: On a recent roadtrip through the southeast, I found a great shortage of Japanese shops or information about them. I’m from Texas where I suppose I’ve been spoiled.

TEXAS
Kazy's Gourmet
9256 Markville Dr., Dallas, TX 75243
972-235-4831

Mon-Sat 10:00am- 7:00pm Sun 11:30am- 6:00pm
Kazy’s is a large grocery store with a good frozen section. It’s charming and the people are helpful enough—some are not Japanese and some are not helpful, but those that I’ve met that are nice make up for it entirely. Jun is a nice guy and there was a very very knowledgeable Hispanic girl there for a number of times I went. They have fish (I’ve never gotten them here, I go to Seabose for my fish) and pretty much anything you’re looking for. Be sure to check the back hallway, which is tucked out of sight, for bento things like sauce bottles and onigiri presses. However, the most exciting thing that I found there isn’t Japanese at all—but Hawaiian (coming from a Hawaiian family). They had Hawaiian Sun, Hawaiian salt, Aloha Shoyu, and even frozen bags of poi and sometimes ti leaves. They said just call ahead to make sure they had poi.

MISSOURI
Fox Farm Whole Food
2639 E 32nd St # E
Joplin, MO 64804
417-623-3276

An odd little health food store, they have many Japanese things to choose from. A stop here is required when visiting my Hawaiian family in Oklahoma before a party. They have tako and other fish in the freezer and have inarizushi no moto, seaweed, a variety of rices (in bins that you can scoop from) and noodles, as well as fresh vegetables. And they’re honest about their veggies—if you ask for one and they don’t think its up to par, they’ll tell you and discount it. Its an interesting place… try it out.

MISSIPPI
Little Tokyo
872 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, MS
601-977-0844

This place is an oasis in the middle of a Japanese shop void which is the southeast USA. It was small, but had exactly what we went for (mochiko, daifuku, tonkatsu sauce, and inarizushi no moto) as well as plenty of other things. They had mochi ice cream which I desperately wanted but I didn’t think it would fare too well on the road trip. They have a Restaurant two suites down which was QUITE delicious, too. Very cute shop.

There's a little japanese grocery/general store in Cary, NC (A suburb of Raleigh/Durham)called Toyo Shokuhin. I've only been a couple of times, but it's pretty nice, and as far as I know, the only exclusively Japanese grocery in the Triangle area.

Toyo Shokuhin & Gift Shop
748 E Chatham St Ste L
Cary, NC 27511-6928
Phone: (919) 319-1620

San Antonio is blessed with a Japanese food store that has been around for years. Tokyo Mart, located behind Niki's Tokyo Inn, is like the small corner grocery you would find in Japan. I shop there frequently, prices are good, selection is wide.

825 W Hildebrand Ave
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 736-2111

Japanese, Chinese, and Korean store - with small amount of produce, but very large frozen section, and lots and lots of packaged stuff from noodles, to nori, to spices and seasonings, dried fish and squid, candies, etc etc etc! Also they sell rice cookers, steamers, some various ceramics. I got almost everything on my list from sushi ginger to tofu shiratake noodles and shichimi togarashi spice! Yay! I don't have to harass my cousin into bringing me stuff from Uwajimaya in Seattle!

Arirang Oriental Market
7940 Martin Way E
Olympia, WA 98516
(360) 456-1858

PS: A hint to everyone on how I found this market. I called my favorite sushi restaurant up and asked them if there was an Asian grocer in the city! Voila!

“Grameen Collection” is a complete eco-friendly handicrafts manufacturer & exporter, sourcing for potential handicrafts buyer, with offer of high quality different types of jute products. We have been engaged in this business for almost a decade and our quality is optimum. We maintain a hygienic working environment, with every moment development of high
quality handy products, only to satisfy our clients with our utmost time effective services. Moreover, our (Bangladesh) geographical position puts us in an advantage to produce jute products at a very low price.

We have enclosed some our products picture in attached file. If you have any inquiry in this regard, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are enthusiastic about your quick response. With thanks,

M N Islam
CEO
Grameen Collection
5/A Monipuripara
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215
Bangladesh

Cell: 880 1913 933396
Tel: 880 2 8155347 & Fax : 880 2 8111726
E-mail: jute@jutegoods.org
Web Address: www.jutegoods.org

I noticed most of the stores you have listed for Ohio are farther south, but we have a decent collection of Asian markets up in the NE area.

I'm not going to rewrite comments and such that can be found here: http://freetimes.com/stories/15/57/wonton-lust because many are simply just markets and, outside of carrying a small selection of cookware, only one place I've been to actually carries a handful of bento boxes or accessories.

Cleveland Asia Supermarket
21200 Miles Road
North Randall, OH 44128

HOURS:
Mon-Thu: 10:00am-7:30pm
Fri-Sat: 10:00am-8:00pm
Sun: 10:00am-7:00pm

Comments: Very clean and organized. Has live food and fresh fish. Very very small selection of bento boxes off to the lefthand side of the store, near an aisle or two of Japenese and Asian household products. They have a few onigiri molds down the kitchen aisle. Downside? It's in Randall, which isn't the best area in Cleveland. Just, uh, avoid the Randall Park Mall (across the street) unless you want to feel like you've stepped into the worst ghetto in the world.

CAM is the only market that isn't in the Downtown Cleveland area. All the other markets are within walking distance of each other.

Sonobana Japanese Restaurant and Grocery
http://www.sonobananashville.com/
40 White Bridge Road
Nashville, TN
(615) 356-6600
Grocery Hours (the restaurant has different hours): Mon-Sat, 11AM - 8PM; Sun, 2:30PM - 8PM

Despite it's size, this store sells a wide variety of items: sake sets, chopsticks, tea sets, frozen food, miso, daifuki mochi, ramen, curry mixes, drinks, teas, snacks (yes, they have Pocky!), rice, and sauces. They also have Japanese DVDs for rent. The staff is always friendly and courteous.

I meant to post two stores, but I couldn't find the address for the second one. I'll post it when I find it.

The other Japanese store that you are talking about is probably Japanese Foods, which I only found the address of today. I haven't been there yet, so I can't say what it's like, but I may be able to update later. No website that I know of.

Japanese Foods
15132 Old Hickory Blvd
Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 837-9273

One can also find a reasonable selection of Japanese food ingredients at K&S World Market. The store is almost Wal-Mart sized, and has a wide selection of different Asian frozen/dry goods. Their produce section is big, too, but I think there are "days" to get it. Most days I went in there it looked questionable, but the last time I went in (a Tuesday in January) everything looked great. They had daikon, HUGE napa cabbages, dried mushrooms, miso, natto, etc.

I would go to K&S to try to find as much of my Japanese grocery list as I could, because they are more reasonably priced, and then travel to Sonobana for whatever I couldn't manage to find. Sonobana seemed a bit pricey to me.

Do you know if in either of these two Nashville locations they sell the aburaáge to make inarizushi?

Missouri:

St Louis has no outright Japanese markets. However, there are several general Asian and Korean markets which combined you can get most of what you'll want.

Olive Farmer's Market
8041 Olive Blvd
St Louis, MO 63130
(314) 997-5168

Probably the largest Asian grocery in the St. Louis area. Its primarily a Chinese grocery store, but they have a good variety of Japanese pantry goods.

East East Grocery
8619 Olive Blvd
St Louis, MO 63132
(314) 432-5590

Actually a Korean market, but they have various Japanese staples and a better Japanese noodle selection than Olive Farmer's Market. Smaller store though.

Asia Market
1243 Castillons Arcade Plz
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 878-0022

A larger Korean market, but some Japanese goods.

Mail Order:

Maruwa (Based in CA)
http://www.maruwa.com

Decent selection of pantry goods, perhaps a little higher than retail groceries in CA. Reasonable prices, I usually do a bulk order every few months to keep shipping costs down.

I wish there were more places like this in DE....
; - ;
Why must I live in such a place as this!!?? ~lol
It's okay, though :3 Someday I will visit Japan and it won't matter what they have in Delaware XD <3

I'm looking for Shiratamako, which only seems to be in Japanese groceries. Do you know of any in Ohio? Near Columbus would be great too.

Thanks! ^_~

I just wanted to add a few listings for your list...

I love your blog . . . it's been a blast to read for this Nisei girl! Doumo!!

-------------------------------------

Kappa
6093 Haggerty Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
248-624-6266

Kappa is a small Japanese grocery store located in a strip mall setting. They also carry a small variety of home goods and kitchen items. Small kitchen in back sells sushi and bento. Call for hours.

-------------------------------------

Pastry House Hippo
42130 Grand River Avenue
Novi, MI 48375
248-347-6408
www.hippobakery.com

Hippo is a small (and very authentic!) Japanese bakery located in a small shopping center court across from an even lovelier Japanese Restaurant, Ajishin. They have the loveliest little pastries!! Kawaii! Go early for the best possible selection of items. Azuki, shiroan, custards and chocolate are among some of the varieties available in the pastries. Savory baked goods are available as well. Closed on Mondays.

-------------------------------------

Filipino Oriental Market
5228 Dixie Hwy
Waterford, MI 48329
248-623-6533

This little market is located in a very tiny strip mall. Aside from selling Filipino goods, there are other Asian and some Japanese items as well. Frozen items are kept in three small, white freezers; you must ask for items to see if they are carried/stocked. I've only been once so it's hard to say what they carry regularly. Call for hours.

Atlanta Georgia

Tomato Japanese Grocery Store
2086 Cobb Parkway
Smyrna, Georgia
770 933 0108

This shop is run by a husband and wife team from Okinawa who also owns Umezono Restaurant next door. When my parents were still in Japan my mother used to ask me if I wanted something from Japan and I could not think of anything I couldn't buy there. The only place I could buy hamachi kama. They also do video rentals including Japanese TV programs. They sell books and magazines. If you happen to want a monthly or weekly magazine or manga, they will reserve a copy for you. For video rentals you have to join their membership program which 4 years ago was $10 a year. In return you also got a 5 percent discount on all your purchases. Saturdays the place is packed including the restaurant next door for lunch. I've seen people from as far away as Virgina shop there. If you're from out of state, they will provide free bags of ice for your cooler. I'm not sure how it works or the fees but they do deliveries to parts of Georgia. The store is open 7 days a week and the restaurant 7 days a week for lunch and dinner except Sundays for dinner only. As of October 2007, there was a Japanese book store next door where I found MELONSODA FLOAT!!!!

Name of store: matsuya
Address: 7149 manderlay drive, florence, ky 41042
Phone number: 859.746.3643
Website if available: www.matsuyaweb.com

i'm not too sure about the selection because i haven't been to another japanese mart. however, i was able to take some friends from japan and they were very happy with what the store had. they have a lot of snack foods as well as some cooking supplies, movie rental, magazines, produce, and fish. they also said that the prices are about double what it would be in japan, but that's to be expected i would think. next door is also an excellent japanese restaurant. this place is in florence, ky but it's about twenty minutes from the cincinnati area.

Tokyo Market
7516 Granby St
Norfolk, VA 23505
757-583-2898
Tokyo market is conveniently located at Wards Corner, is open til a decent hour (7) and has a very friendly staff. I am always able to pick up some staples here for good prices. They also have a nice collection of ceramic serving dishes, sake sets, etc.

American Asian Food Market
315 N Great Neck Rd # 200
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
757-498-1222‎
Conveniently located near the interstate, open til 8 every night, have an awesome selection. Fresh seafood counter with fresh shellfish, whole fish, as well as live crabs, fish and lobster. Huge freezers full of every imaginable asian food and lots of products you won't find anywhere else. Their produce section is vast and has lots of hard to find ingredients. They also have fresh tofu, as well as lots of vegetarian "meat" to try. Huge variety of sauces, candies, dishes, tea, rice, etc. VERY good prices. I got out of here with three full bags of groceries for $35 this past weekend.

Tokyo Market has moved to 1215-J George Washington Memorial Hwy (US-17), Yorktown VA. They have torn down that corner of Ward's Corner for a new Harris Teeter.

I thought you might want to know that a new asian supermarket is starting up. ^-^ its very simmilar to super H mart in fact its called super G mart. But here are the details and hopefully it will expand in the years to come.

Super G Mart
4927 W. Market St.
Greensboro, NC 27407
ph: 336-252-1055
fax: 336-252-1057
www.supergmart.com

Looking for Asian markets in northwest IN? Not as far down as indianapolis. I almost consider where i live to be a chicagoland suburb, but its right over the border into IN. About 40 mi from downtown chi. Any suggestions?

Looking for Asian markets in northwest IN? Not as far down as indianapolis. I almost consider where i live to be a chicagoland suburb, but its right over the border into IN. About 40 mi from downtown chi. Any suggestions?

To the above poster, I live in Jersey now but used to live in Indianapolis and let me say it is was quite a difficult task to find an above average Japanese restaurant. But I managed to find Hesei in West Lafayette, who to this day, served some of the best food I've had in a long time. It's a nice and quaint atmosphere, the service was excellent and the food was outstanding. A little pricey, but definitely worth it. I've made my rounds throughout the entire state for great spots and nothing came even close. If you're somewhat in the area, its worth the trip. Thanks.

* Name of store: Saraga
* Address: 3605 Commercial Dr, Indianapolis, IN
* Phone number: (317) 388-9999‎
* Website if available: N/A
* General comments about the size of store, selection, etc.: This is an international market rather than just asian, but their prices are dirt cheap for vegetables, fruits, etc. as well as imported Japanese foods. It's got a huge selection - it's in an old Wal-Mart - and though it's in a rather seedy area of town it's definitely worth the visit. I do 90% of my grocery shopping there - I just can't get staple household items like paper towels there. They also have a lot of housewares (like rice cookers, shabu-shabu pots, etc), and a fresh fish section where you can pick which one you want and they'll kill/gut/fillet it for you.

I went back there today and they had reorganized the store, and they now have a much larger bento section. They have probably a couple dozen bento box styles, a number of onigiri molds, the disposable "grass" dividers, little disposable muffin-type cups, chopsticks with cases, and quite a few other options. The styles are fairly simple, some cute, no branded anime/Sanrio/etc. styles. Good prices.

Maruta Shoten (best known as Maruta)is one Japanese store in Seatte most people don't know about. It is very small, more like "konbini" style so it is limited. However, they are known to having the best bento and sushi from a grocery store in the Seattle area. Some even say it is one of the best Japanese grocery in Seattle. Sometimes you can even find some unique Japanese food that many Americans don't know about. They have a new flyer out every week with great deals, and every day after 5pm all sushi and bento is 50% off, which is the most popular time people go (if you can get it before anyone else can).

1024 S Bailey St
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 767-5002

Hours:
Mon-Thu. 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

May I raise the Oregon state flag and add a few to justify its own list? Of course we have our Uwajimaja in Beaverton, but we also have:

OreAsian Market (http://oreasian.com/) in Hillsboro, on 24th and Cornell. It's right next to one of the best sushi places in the area, for what its worth: Sushi and Maki!

The OreAsian market has many regional foods from Japanese to Chinese and Korean; the owner I believe is originally Hawaiian, so there's a bit of that represented as well.

There are a few others, listed on this site: http://www.stateoforegon.com/directory/asian_markets.html

Woo hoo, Oregon! :)

OKLAHOMA:

in Tulsa:

Nam Hai - 1924 S Garnett Rd, Tulsa, OK‎ - (918) 438-0166‎ (large selection of south asian and mexican foods, with some chinese, korean and japanese products thrown in. mainly good for finding fresh Asian vegetables, herbs & fruits, some fish and "ethnic" cuts of meat ie: tail meat) I've seen Japanese exchange students shopping there. They carry a wide selection of soy sauces and vinegars and noodles, too... And fish.. I wouldn't call it fresh, but I guess to each their own.. Some of the stuff you get will still be alive...

Korean Market - 12771 E 41st St, Tulsa, OK‎ - (918) 660-0202‎ Carries all kinds of stuff, frozen fish/squid/octopus, preserved stuff, as well as condiments. Also has a small selection of pocky and east-asian "snacky" type foods (cakes, cookies, chips, etc). Not a lot of fresh produce, but you can buy bean sprouts, pickles, kimchi (the store owner's mother makes it, it's not the imported kind like at other stores), fresh mushrooms, etc.. also carries very long green onions (like 3+ feet) and good selection of rice, they also carry "asian" sweet potatoes (different than american ones). They have a member's card, too.. Which gives you discounts when you buy from there.

New Seoul Market - 3171 S 129th East Ave, Tulsa, OK‎ - (918) 270-1830‎ - Carries an assortment of frozen and refrigerated goods, including microwavable meals, good selection of cookware and dishes (usually cheaper than other places, too!). Will sell items to you in bulk.

There's not any specifically Japanese grocers that I know of, but there's sushi bars and places that serve Japanese food all over the place... You could always inquire about things at those places. Most folks are very friendly. :) You can also grow a lot of Asian vegetables & stuff.

* Fujiya Market
* 1335 W.University Dr. Site5
Tempe, AZ 85281
* (480)968-1890
* http://www.fujiyamarket.com/
* Although it's a smaller store (about convenience store size), it has a GREAT selection of items. It ranges from health & beauty, bento, kitchen accessories, cookware, booze, snacks, treats, instant foods, tea, basics, frozen foods, drinks, seasonings, soups, baking goods & needs, produce, fresh sushi made daily, specialty items, sale items, magazines and even video rentals. It's a very friendly and wonderful place to shop.

It's even placed next door to Tokyo Stop (good food & fast service with great katsu!) and Arai Pastry Shop! (great cakes, fresh bread baked daily, sandwiches, desserts, ect..).

* Lee Lee Oriental Supermart
* 2025 N. Dobson Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85224
* 480-899-2887
* http://www.leeleesupermarket.com/
* This store is huge! It's packed with all sorts of items from ALL over Asia! All sorts of produce items, freshly cooked duck and pork, a very large fresh Seafood Department (that looks like an Aquarium~!), Produce department, Meat Department, and dozens of aisles packed full of groceries! It's a supermarket! It has everything!

Ah, and they have another location:

* Lee Lee Oriental Supermart
* 7575 W. Cactus Rd.
Peoria, AZ 85381
* 623-773-3345

(and a new store opening up soon in Tuscon!)

Do you know where I can purchase about 8 banana tree stumps to use to cook a pig imu style?

Imu style cooking is a Hawai'ian or Polynesian style of cooking, not Japanese...so this is not the right site to ask that really ^_^; Try a Hawai'ian site maybe?

Two relatively new Asian markets have come to Knoxville, and they're thriving! My personal favorite is Sunrise, but Dae Do has a better selection of ramune soda.

Sunrise Supermarket
8509 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 691-1275

This store has it all - a full-sized grocery store with everything from fresh produce to fresh seafood and everything in between. The store is extremely clean and the staff very helpful (English-speaking as well, for those of us with limited/broken Asian language skills!). I found inari and delicious mochi in every variety, even ice cream! They also sell some items in bulk and have an entire aisle of tableware and other miscellaneous items.

Dae Do Oriental Food Market
129 Montvue Rd
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 539-9700

Dae Do is much smaller, a specialty shop in an upscale shopping center next to West Town Mall. Great selection of ramune soda and good variety of groceries.

Does anyone know of any places in Nashville,TN?

There's a nice tiny Japanese grocery just off Windy Hill Road in Marietta GA called Tomato.

I live in St. Louis and we do not have any japanese grocery stores. I am trying to find chirimenjako. where might I order some from??

thanks!!

Ben

Hi Ben, you may want to try one of the mailorder places listed, especially Amazon Groceries or Japan Super.

Sadly, Kotobukiya Japanese Market in Cambridge, Massachusetts has closed as of May 10th, 2009.

http://blogs.bostonmagazine.com/chowder/page/2/

Orlando, FL:

Dong-A-Corp.
812-816 N. Mills Ave.
Orlando, FL 32803
www.dongaimportsandmarket.com

General Asian market, "specializing in 'Japanese line'." Large selection. Large freezer section, an actually trustworthy-looking butcher section, and vegetables/fruits section.

Dong-A-Imports
706 N. Mills Ave.
Orlando, FL 32803
www.dongaimportsandmarket.com

No food, but has cookware, "specializing in 'Japanese line'." Also carries curios, furniture, geta, and some yukata.

Gainesville, FL:

Chun Ching Oriental Food & Gift Market
418 NW 8th Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 376-5885

One of the larger oriental markets in Gainesville. Has Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese products. Fresh vegetables, butcher aisle, fresh-baked flavored/filled breads.

Oriental 88 Market
SW 2110 34th St.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(next to Sweetbay grocery)
(352) 378-8583

General Asian market. Small, but convenient, with decent selection. Has freezer aisle, vegetable/fruit section with varying stock.

August Moon Market
1236 NW 21st Ave
Gainesville, FL 32609
(a block south from the Albertson's on NW 13th)
(352) 373-7866

General Asian market. Has freezer aisle, vegetable/fruits section, some frozen meats, esp. seafood (squid, etc.).

Maruta Shoten
Neighborhood: Georgetown
1024 S Bailey St
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 767-5002
Hours:
Mon-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saipan, in the CNMI, north of Guam, has a quite a few Japanese stores. Two popular ones are Ebisuya and Himawari.

Also two other Japanese store in Nevada, particularly Las Vegas are Nakata market of Japan, and Tokyo discount.

A much-overlooked but more established neighborhood Japanese food store in the Portland, Oregon area is Anzen Hiroshi's.

Anzen Hiroshi's
736 NE M L King Blvd
Portland, OR 97232-2743
(503) 233-5111

Pretty much family owned and operated they are constantly struggling against the (newer) Beaverton superstore Uwajimaya. So please support local business when possible! They get fresh mochi gashi from San Fransisco on Thursdays, and carry a wide variety of Japanese-only foods. Plus, they are in a good location, right across from the convention center.

I used to go here with my mom maybe once every two weeks, when I was only 7 or so, and every time I walked out cradling a White Rabbit candy. Great little store. Has a small fish selection, fresh vegetables, and a wide selection of dishware as well, in addition to all the Japanese-food staples you would expect.

The Buford Highway Farmer's Market has renovated within the last 6 months or so and seems very clean and no longer has the "funny smell" commented on by the previous reviewer. My favorite thing to buy there is the fresh firm tofu (so fresh that it isn't even sitting in water like most Asian grocers). It comes in blocks about twice the size of standard for $1. The Japanese section is one of the best I've found in Atlanta. One of the best places for sushi-grade fish, too.

I just recently moved to Philadelphia, so hopefully I'll be able to expand the list for here. I've been to Maido a couple times to stock up on basics, but it is a little too far to be convenient for me considering the smaller size. There is not much available when it comes to fresh produce, but the have gobo, which is a huge plus in my book!

Pacific Ocean Marketplace

(303) 410-8168
6600 W 120 Av
Broomfield, CO 80020

This is a large supermarket that caters to pretty much all of Asia. While they carry a decent selection Japanese foods, sauces, and cooking/eating utensils/dishes, they don't carry any bento boxes and rarely any of the accessories. They do carry some onigiri molds and various implements for sushi. Most of the imported products have the shelf label written in english, though they aren't always descriptive enough to know what you are buying unless you can read the language on the packages.

Outside of food, they also have a medical counter with all sorts of Asian remedies and toiletries. They also carry a selection of rice cookers and other kitchen electrics, as well as cookbooks and other miscellanea.

Always double check the expiry dates, and your fresh fish. Stick around to watch them clean and cut your selection. Personally inspect the fish for freshness. Their return policy is pretty harsh, especially on food.

We always go there for the candy and frozen section.

Two Japanese grocery stores in Jacksonville, NC:

Tomodachi
202 Brynn Marr Rd
(910) 353-0194

This store is great, and the owners (Japanese lady & her American husband) are wonderful! It's a tiny little store, but it's crammed full of practically anything you could want - fresh & frozen produce, meat, etc., cooking ingredients, snacks, cookware & utensils, cosmetics, videos of tv shows & movies, magazines... I'm always flabergasted at how much stuff the owners get in this little space! She doesn't always get the same things in each order - sometimes brands changes, sometimes products aren't available or are too expensive so they stop carrying them - but she's happy to order whatever you need if she doesn't have it (and her prices are very reasonable, no markup on stuff you order, just the extra waiting time). The owner cooks a few things fresh daily, and they also carry some other homemade products like kimchi & umeboshi made by local ladies. There's also a little table in one corner, and there's always a few little old ladies hanging out, drinking tea, & chatting. The only downside is that I can never just run in & pick up a few things, I'm always at least an hour chatting and catching up with everyone......

Matsuya
1537 Freedom Way (technically in Hubert, NC, but just a couple miles from Jakcsonville)
(910) 577-1134‎

This is a pretty standard strip-mall storefront place, basic Japanese ingredients, frozen foods, etc., but doesn't have nearly the variety of Tomodachi. Still, they do have some different varieties of things than the other store does, so it's worth checking out here too.

Super Cao Nguyen, Oklahoma City

2668 N Military Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73106-5639

(405) 525-7650

http://www.caonguyen.com/

Huge store that primarily caters to the local Vietnamese population, but has a very wide selection of food from many other Asian countries, including Japan. I've been able to get all of my Japanese cooking basics from there, along with many of my favorites including natto, Japanese sweets, Japanese teas and more.

In Western Washington there is a small supermarket chain, Central Market (not related to Central Market chain in Texas) that is owned by a family originally from Japan. It isn't an Asian market per se, but they have large Japanese/Asian departments with a lot of canned, bottled, fresh, and frozen Japanese and other Asian foods and ingredients. The one near me (Poulsbo) also has a kitchen making fresh sushi and a few other Japanese foods (wonderful inarizushi and snack boxes of boiled edamame, yum), and a small assortment of Japanese kitchen and tableware and decorative items, some seasonal. I got my first bento box there without knowing what it was, only that I liked it. I've collected quite a few small bowls and a variety of chopsticks, and they have a takoyaki pan that I covet. Right now they're advertising new crop Koda rice.

I don't know much about the other two, except that the Shoreline one had tanks of live fish the one time I was in. Oh, and they all claim to carry over 50 different soy sauces.

Central Market Poulsbo (the flagship store)
20148 10th Ave NE
Poulsbo WA 98370
360.779.1881
wwww.poulsbo.central-market.com

Central Market Mill Creek
Mill Creek Town Center
15605 Main St
Mill Creek WA 98012
Asian Market 425.357.3258
wwww.millcreek.central-market.com

Central Market Shoreline
15505 Westminster Way N
Shoreline, WA 98133
206.363.9226
Asian Market 206.366.9987 x22
wwww.shoreline.central-market.com

Stores in Albuquerque, NM

I know it may seem a bit odd, but there are actually several stores in Albuquerque, NM that are either mostly Japanese or Asian with Japanese isles.

A 1 Oriental Market
1410 Wyoming Blvd NE Ste F
Albuquerque , NM 87112
(505) 275-9021

Their sign is in both Korean and Japanese (as well as English), and they carry both Korean and Japanese goods. In my experience, they have more Japanese than Korean. They have a good selection of fresh produce, refrigerated sections with tsukemono (pickles), miso pastes and such, and a frozen section with various seafood and prepared items. Small-ish store, but great selection and friendly staff.

A-Ri-Rang Oriental Market
1826 Eubank Blvd NE
Albuquerque , NM 87112
(505) 255-9634

As you can tell from the name, it's a Korean market. But as with many Korean markets, they have a good selection of Japanese foodsuffs. They don't have as much produce as A1 has, but they do get nice season items like chestnuts (kuri). The store also has a great little cafe in it with fresh, hot Korean food that you can either eat there or take out.

Talin Market (World Food Fare)
88 Louisiana Blvd SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 268-0206

Very large grocery store that ranges from Japanese and Korean to Chinese, Indian, Italian (!), and Vietnamese. Their Japanese section is pretty big, and includes frozen, refrigerated, and shelf goods. They have a very large seafood area and a great selection of produce. Outside is a couple of small stores, one is a tea shop whose selection includes bubble/boba teas and noodle bowls and a small "cute things" shop with Hello Kitty and other like things. A great place to wander around and find new, interesting things.

Kims Oriental Market
2306 Morris St NE
Albuquerque , NM 87112
(505) 296-8568

Another small store that's mostly Korean, but has a selection of Japanese goods.

Tohyo Japanese Market
6207 Montgomery Blvd NE
Albuquerque , NM 87109
(505) 883-2665

Just learned about this store, so I haven't been there yet.

G & H Oriental Market
129 Pennsylvania St NE
Albuquerque , NM 87108
(505) 255-8880

I haven't been to this one, but I thought that I would put it up here for thoroughness.

I hope that this is helpful to people out there. There is actually quite a lot that is available to those in Albuquerque looking for Japanese food and goods.

Just giving you an update on the HK Market in Arlington Tx. They have moved and are now at

2615 W. PIONEER PARKWAY
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 75051
972-988-8811

Also, here is another online mail order site in case it hasn't been mentioned. They sell world wide items, not just Japanese. Thanks!

http://www.asiamex.com/index.cfm?CFID=8294779&CFTOKEN=99640

Oops! I forgot to mention as well, that yes H-mart did open in TX and it's addresses are

H-Mart
2625 Old Denton Rd #200
Carrollton, TX 75007
972-323-9700

and

H-Mart
1302 Blalock Rd
Houston, TX 77055
713-468-0606

Here are some Korean mrkts that havs Japanese items.

Komart Market Place
2240 Royal Ln
Dallas, TX 75229
(214) 256-9000

Komart Market Place
3620 W Pioneer Dr
Irving, TX 75061
(214) 596-0077
www.komartmarketplace.com

Komart Market Place
1049 Gessner Dr
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 468-5955
www.komartmarketplace.com

Asia World Market
240 Legacy Dr
Plano, TX 75023
972-517-8858

May Hua Supermarket
2220 Coit Rd # 200
Plano, TX 75075
972-398-6987

Assi Plaza Plano
2060 W Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, TX 75023
(972) 517-1400

Thanks for this site guidebook. :o) For record, we were psyched to discover H-Mart here in Massachusetts now. So, please add on. You have listed for other states. It's in Burlington, MA.

http://www.hmart.com/company_new/shop_store.asp?store_code=BLT

Thanks!

This place is just awesome. Great produce, well proced spices, and nearly every ingredient under the sun. Foodcourt with decent korean and japanese options as well as a Pho stand. Also a gift shop. We make daytrips to it from Boston Center.

A google map link: http://goo.gl/maps/EU3q
A tip for driving in: take Wheeler Rd. and approach store from behind, turn off Wheeler Rd. by the Hilton. Same for coming back out. Traffic on Middlesex Tpke is insane. Wheeler Rd. turn off is right by a Dunkin' Doughnuts.

Naniwa, Mclean, VA, closed. Owner retired and moved to Florida. Sorry to see that store close.

There are actually alot of Japaniese grocery stores in hawaii because Japaniese almost the majority of the population. Najiya Market is also very popular, and its not odd to find that alot of locals eat a mix of Japaniese, local kine, and American foods in their every day diet.

Got 3 for you in Warner Robins, GA:

Choi's Oriental Market
423 N Commercial Circle
Warner Robins, GA 31093
478-328-1746

The Asian Market
590 Carl Vinson Pkwy Suite 1100
Warner Robins, GA 31088
478-922-7557

Seoul Oriental Market
128 Manor Court
Warner Robins, GA 31093
(478) 922-8441

And here are some in Tampa, FL... (I used to live there, have been to these markets)

Oceanic Supermarket
1609 N Tampa Street
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 228-8110
http://www.oceanicmarket.com

MD Oriental Market
1106 E Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 868-1688‎

any good japanese stores in Orlando area?

New grocery store in Tucson, there are already two in the Phoenix area.

Lee Lee Oriental Market
1990 W Orange Grove Rd
Tucson, AZ 85704

A new market opened 12/23/09 - big - lots of offerings from many different countries. Shopping in itself is an international experience. Predominantly Asian with lots of fish in many different forms. I'm no expert in Japanese cooking, but seems to be a very large selection. Great for people living on the NW side of Tucson

Anne

Sasaya Japanese Market
www.sasayajapanese.com
(954) 761-8010
1956 E. Sunrise Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

A tiny little store but it has most of the ingredients I need along with utensils, gifts, and even a small sushi bar. Lots of specialized Japanese ingredients--like 4 brands of natto and and even new harvest rice packed in nitrogen. Lots of other stuff. Friendly staff.

Just wanted to thank you for mentioning Mitsuwa. I have already made two trips to their San Jose store (which is about 30 minutes from my home)since discovering Just Hungry.

I live in Fremont, California which is rich with ethnic groups from around the world. There are many Asian markets in the area, but none with the unique items specific to Japanese cuisine.

The produce at Mitsuwa was very fresh as was the meat and fish section. At last I have found fresh yuzu fruit, wasabi root and shiso along with rice bran and sashimi grade salmon.

The store was large, very organized, well lite with friendly staff. They also have a Tsukemono kiosk filled with goodies and there is a Japanese bookstore in the same mall with a good selection of cookbooks as well as crafts.

Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Circle Japan
Circlejapan.com

12192 Beach Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32246-1178
(904) 642-7799

Hi, I just wanted to share a very cute online bento store www.bentoboutique.com I stumbled upon. It reminds me of a cartoon. Even if you're not in the market for bento gear, take a quick look at the site just for fun. I like the walking panda bear. So cute!

I ordered a cubed bento box along with some onigiri rice molds last week and got it in 3 days. Cheap prices and fast shipping win me over any day. They don't have a huge selection of bento items like some of the other sites but I saw plenty of cute things at very affordable prices.

Website is closed. I was looking forward to some cute things! Just a heads up for other readers.

Brothers Oriental Grocery

8209 Pendleton Pike
Indianapolis, IN 46226-4016
(317) 898-6089

I'd consider this a small sized market. It is a Korean market but does have some other Oriental foods, like Japanese and Vietnamese ingredients but just a few. They have all the standards - kimchi, huge bags of rice, ramen, frozen foods, etc. They also have a small kitchenware section of rice cookers, chopsticks, dishes, and similar items. Some items are a bit overpriced but I feel like that's across the board at all Asian markets. Downside: Not on the best side of town.

Daruma Japan Market in Bethesda, MD closed earlier this year. I'm going to miss the kitsune udon I used to get there.

Hana Japanese Market
2004 17th St NW
(between N Seaton St & N U St)
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 939-8853

Mon-Sun: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Hana is small but stocks almost everything you could want. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Even the produce is fresh and sourced from local Japanese vegetable growers.

It's a short walk from either the U St./Adams Morgan or Dupont Circle Metro stop.

I wanted to second Hana- it's great! I think they say they now carry about 1,300 different products, and the ~500 sq. ft. store is packed floor to ceiling. Emphasis is on packaged goods, with small frozen and refrigerated sections. Not only do they carry local produce, but they also fly in Japanese produce grown in California, which is delivered Thursdays. Prices are also reasonable compared to DC grocery prices. In addition, they have some other Asian foods (i.e. Sriracha), a few dishes and other household goods, and carry a small stock of cosmetic and health items (i.e. shampoo, Salonpas).

The DAISO in Bellingham, WA has been closed since mid-2008. But there is a new DAISO just next to Uwajimaya in Seattle.

J Mart
Japanese Grocery
http://www.jmartjmart.com
309 Aragona Blvd Suite 111
Virginia Beach VA 23462

Hours
Monday thru Sunday 11:00 - 6:30
Phone 757-201-3520

Comments: Great little store, there are pics of it at the website listed above. Two young men in there were very nice and helpful and one of them spoke perfect English.

In the New Orleans area:

Asian Gourmet Market, 3239 Williams Boulevard, Kenner

Best selection of Japanese products in the New Orleans metro area, plus teacups, sake sets. Some produce.

Columbus, Indiana
Ohama Shoten
small, but just Japanese!

2324 N National Rd
Columbus, IN 47201-3732
(812) 372-6266‎

Hi there, here's a few suggestions for this page:

I live in Chicago, and I love Mitsuwa (in Arlington Heights) but this place called Joong Boo Market is much closer to my home. The address is

Joong Boo
3333 North Kimball Avenue
Chicago, IL‎.

It is a Korean place but has LOTS of Japanese ingredients. Many times I find that ingredients I'm looking for have the Korean name rather than the Japanese name I'm familiar with (Shiso leaves are called "sesame leaves") but with a little research I've done quite well. Lots of seaweed, lots of frozen seafood, lots of dry goods and produce too! They even have a home goods section where I've seen the occasional bento box and thermal food jar.

When we visit relatives in Florida, it can be difficult to find Asian ingredients. We were able to find this little place called

Asian Market & Imports
1985 N Harbor City Blvd
Melbourne, Florida.

It's a little place on the side of the road that you'd barely notice if you didn't know it was there, but they have lots of hard to find Asian produce, etc. There's Japanese, Thai, Filipino, Chinese.. a bit of everything. I thought since Florida doesn't yet have any entries, this might be a bit of help!

There is now an H Mart in Burlington Massachusetts. The address is: 3 Old Concord Road, Burlington MA 01803
Also in Medford MA a new locally owned shop opened that is strictly Japanese called: Ebisuya Japanese Market
www.ebisuyamarket.com
65 Riverside Avenue
Medford, MA 02155-4653
(339) 221-5261

I hope that this information will be helpful. Thanks for a great site!

Two stores in Fort Myers, Florida.

Dragon Mart
4650 S Cleveland Ave
Unit 9B
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 939-0044
Hours: Unsure

Dragon Mart is tiny, but a very nice little grocery. They carry canned and jarred goodies, rice (of course), furikake, candy and cookies, ramen, and freezer food. They also have videos (Japanese? not sure of the language) for rent. I've only met one of the staff members, but she was very nice and helpful.

Kim Orient Mart‎
1912 Boy Scout Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 275-8812‎
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm

Kim's is closed for renovation until June 3rd, 2010. They have a great selection of groceries, candy, and gift items, as well as a refrigerated and freezer section. Lots of stuff to peruse!

Please tell me where the closest Japanese food stores are to the following Tennessee towns as we are moving there soon and MUST have our Japanese food stores. :-)
Johnson City, Knoxville, Asheville
Thanks SO much! Stormie

Tokyo Japanese Market
6207 Montgomery Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-883-2665
Korean owned. No fresh produce or seafood. Has good quality whole frozen mackerel and squid. Two brands of natto. Bonito flakes always available. Overall, small but pretty decent inventory of Japanese food.

Talin Market World Food Fare
Louisiana Blvd SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
505-268-0206
www.talinmarket.com
Large selection of fresh produce, fresh and frozen seafood including fresh clams, oysters, live Dungeness crabs, and a great assortmernt of fish. Good supply of Japanese food items. Has shiso most of the time, Japanese eggplant, cucumbers, burdock root and more.

99 Banh Oriental Supermarket
5315 Gibson Boulevard Southeast
Albuquerque, NM 87108-4726
505-268-2422
Fresh produce. Large selection of frozen and fresh seafood. Good assortment of Japanese groceries. Frequently has shiso and other Japanese vegetables.

A-Ri-Rang Oriental Market
1826 Eubank Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM
505-255-9634
Specializes in Korean food but has Japanese basics. No produce. Frozen seafood.

There's also a fairly new Uwajimaya in Renton, WA.

Renton Uwajimaya
501 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Phone: (425) 277-1635
View Events
Get Directions

Store Hours:
Mon. - Sat. 7:00 am ~ 10:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am ~ 9:00 pm

It's significantly smaller than the seattle store, but still offers great selection and the perk of not having to navigate downtown seattle!

There is a small japanese market in Austin, TX that I've been going to for a few years now. It's the only place I know to get Haiga rice in town.

Asahi Imports
6105 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 453-1850

New Central Market

(Located in Midtown Anchorage)
555 W. Nothern Lights Blvd.
Suite 100
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Phone: 907 277-1170
Fax: 907 277-7670
Website: http://newcentralmarket.com/

Hours 9:00am to 9:00pm Monday - Staturday
9:00am to 8:pm Sunday

Great place! Technically a korean place, but they have every japanese ingredient known to man here AND japanese products. The best thing about this place is that they catalogue everything and post it on their website (in picture form) so you can see if they actually have what you need before trudging through the snow to get there.

New Sagaya

Location#1
CITY MARKET
900 West 13th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907)-274-6173
Fax: (907)-274-2042

Location#2
MIDTOWN MARKET
3700 Old Seward Highway
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907)-561-5173
Fax: (907)-561-2042

Website: http://www.newsagaya.com/

Both locations offer the same quality so it doesn't really matter which one you go to. Everything is authentically japanese, from the 20+ varieties of miso to the ranges of tofu. This place has it all! They even ship Alaskan King Crab anywhere in the country, (including Hawaii). The only letdown would be the website, barren and desolate.

New Sagaya market also has some specialty locations, located throughout the Anchorage area:

Sagaya Wholesale
1101 Whitney Road
Anchorage, AK 99501
t: (907)272-5173
f: (907)279-2042

This is the place to buy your seafood; it's where all the restaurants buy theirs anyways..

L'AROMA SOUTHSIDE
9900 Old Seward Hwy
Anchorage, AK 99515
t: (907)336-5704
f: (907)336-5705

Haven't actually been here yet so I can't say much.

EUROPA CAFE & BAKERY
601 West 36th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99503
t: (907)563-5704
f: (907)563-0159

Asian bakery, the pastries here are really really good.

~*~

We also have a Korean town, if anyone's interested.. it's not as big as L.A.'s of course, but it's still pretty good. At the corner of Eagle and Fireweed, is apparently the best.

"This is, arguably, the largest Asian grocery store in Anchorage. The shelves are stocked with things you just can't find anywhere else: Korean snacks, drinks, spices, frozen food and some knick-knacks."
- By Grace Jang, CBS 11 News Reporter

Here's another one to add to Missouri:

Seoul Oriental Market
3165 S.Campbell
Springfield, MO 65807
(417) 881-2311

Being vegan in a town whose #1 tourist attraction is a shopping mall sized hunting/fishing/sporting goods store with it's own hotel and museum (full of dead animals, of course), I find the Seoul Market to be an utter godsend. There's not one Japanese restaurant in Springfield, MO that isn't also a steakhouse... :/

The people at Seoul Market are always super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They're more than willing to special order things for you and you can usually see one of them sitting at the computer behind the checkout counter looking up fun new stuff to sell in their store. It might be called Seoul, but there seems to be an equal amount of of Japanese stuff there too. Cheapest place in town to buy anything seaweed related.

Their website:
http://www.seoulorientalmarket.com/

An addition for Indiana-

Saraga International Grocery
3605 Commercial Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46222-1681
(317) 388-9999

Not strictly Japanese-- they also have Chinese, Korean, and probably several other countries' foods. But they have a very wide selection and reasonable prices.

You can add this to the list under 'Ohio', it's a store called Pangaea and specialize in Bento Boxes! ^.^

http://www.pangaeashop.com

Many Lands Market
1145 N 500 W
Provo, Utah 84604
(801)375-3789
Like their name suggests,Many Lands Market sells food from many different countries. They sell good selection of Japanese foods and some cookware and dishes. The only problem is I have found some things there that are past the expiration date, so make sure you check it before buying if you're worried about how fresh it is.

I live in Pensacola, FL and there are not many Japanese Food shops around, I know of only one. They sell just about everything you need to, which is surprising because the store is so small. They even sell fresh produce (yuzu, daikon, asian pears, purple sweet potatoes...) that they grow themselves at great prices.

Here is the address!

T K Oriental
5920 N Palafox Street
Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 484-5588

Check them out if you are ever in the area! The owners Tom and Keiko are very nice and have been there for years. (FYI: they only take cash and check.)

Asahi Imports
6105 Burnet Road Austin, TX 78757 - (512) 453-1850
Open Daily 10am-7pm

This is a great independent strictly Japanese store that stocks everything from cooking ingredients to cosmetics, tableware to videos. They have a lot of really hard to find items here.

I live up the street from the location where this store used to be. It is now a Latin American grocery store. I liked Lotte and I think they are now located in Germantown, Md.

I tried posting this before and it didn't. Weird.
Japan Sage Market
1515 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801)484-4122
They have dish ware, fresh vegetables, frozen foods and pre-made bento boxes available. They even do New Year's dinners. They also have a small section of videos and gifts.

Asiana Market
5740 N Carefree Cir, #200,
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
(719) 570-9732

Groceries, kitchen appliances, dishware, frozen foods, soaps and bathroom supplies.

Asian Pacific Market
615 Wooten Road
Suite 160
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
(719) 573-7500

Wonderful prices, very cheap, lots of Asian vegetables I'd never seen before (winter melon, anyone? Durian? Dragon fruit?), live fish, restaurant supplies, etc. It may take you upwards of 5 minutes to figure out how to use the sink in the bathrooms.

Contrary to popular belief Kansas is not a fly-over state ^_^
Manhattan, KS
CHINESE GROCERY STORE (has another name in Chinese)
715 North 12th Street
(785) 320-7228 ‎
Smaller grocery focusing on Chinese goods. Also have a nice freezer section with a delicious brand of steameable mini pork dumplings, which are perfect for bento. They have more obscure ingredients like red fermented tofu for authentic char siu.

ASIAN MARKET
2304 Stagg Hill Rd # D
(785) 320-5177
Looks small, but is very well stocked. Superior daikon and great variety. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Thai, and Indian foods. They also carry Mexican Coca-Cola :)

YI'S ORIENTAL MARKET
1030 Colorado Street
(785) 539-5849
The oldest still operating Asian market in Manhattan. Owned by a really nice Korean couple. Fresh vegetables every Tuesday afternoon, and weekly specials. Komatsuna and Gai Lan are particularly nice here. Mid-sized market with all the basics and a good selection of rice, noodles (frozen and dried), and pickled goods.

Overland Park, KS
Oriental Supermarket
10336 Metcalf Avenue
(913) 341-3345 ‎
Very large Asian market with huge vegetable and freezer goods sections with Korean butcher and bakery. They even have snow-pea tip/shoots most of the time! Excellent selection of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and South-East Asian foods. Fairly large homegoods (tupperware, bento boxes, woks, steamers, plates, etc.) that are well priced ($1.30 for perfectly sized porcelain rice bowl!)

Minnesota:

Dong Yang - Market & Restaurant
735 45th Ave.
Hilltop, MN 55421
Phone » 763-571-2009

This is a great little Korean Restaurant/market. They actually have a large selection of Japanese food items, just about everything you need (fish, Bonito flakes, many kinds of rice, seaweed of every type, most of the Korean packaged ones are just called "seaweed," which is pretty unhelpful). The prices can be a bit expensive for things like bento boxes and some Japanese specialties, but most of the other prices more than makes up for it (Tofu for $.99 instead of the $2.99-$3.99 for the same brand at the normal grocery store).

The wonderful Daruma Japanese grocery store that WAS on Arlington Road in Bethesda is now CLOSED....GONE...

MASSACHUSETTS:

Japan Village Mart
200 Washington St.
Brookline, MA 02445
Tel: 617-274-8651
Fax: 617-274-8652
E-mail: japanvillagemart@yahoo.com

Ebisuya Japanese Market
65 Riverside Ave.
Medford, MA 02155
Tel: 781-391-0012
Fax: 781-391-7722
E-mail: info@EbisuyaMarket.com
Website: www.ebisuyamarket.com

H Mart
3 Old Concord Road
Burlington, MA 01803
Store Hours: 8 AM - 9 PM
Tel: 781-221-4570
Website: www.hmart.com

Thank you!
-Kim

Regarding Massachusetts places: I don't know if Lotte Market should be included (Their Yelp page is almost entirely negative reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/lotte-market-cambridge ), but H Mart? YES PLEASE. It can be hard to get to Burlington if you don't drive, and their inventory is constantly rotating, but they have so much good stuff. Obviously they have mostly Korean stuff, but they have a pretty decent selection of general Asian food; I've left there with pandan leaves (And extract!), udon (Fresh, frozen or dried), lemongrass, shichimi powder, Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Chinese frozen dumplings and steamed buns, tamarind extract, and more stuff I can't even remember.

They've also got a sweet fish market, give out lots of free samples, it's nice and clean, the majority of the employees speak at least passable English, and it isn't stanky and crowded like most of the places in Chinatown.

To whomever's maintaining the list, you can remove Kotobukiya from the list and replace them with Ebisuya; Kotobukiya closed years ago and the owners opened Ebisuya (Details in the comment above me).

Ebisuya was opened by some former employees of Kotobukiya, not by Kotobukiya's owners. As far as I know they're the last remaining 100% Japanese grocery store in New England. All the rest are Korean-Japanese or pan-Asian. Unfortunately, Japan Village Mart closed last year.

INDIANA:

Saraga International Grocery
3605 COMMERICAL DR. (LAFAYETTE RD & 34TH ST.)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46222

Saraga Supermarket (South)
2308 E. STOP 11 ROAD . (MADISON AVE & STOP 11 RD)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227

The first location is a bigger store with a larger selection. You can find pretty much anything you can think of, kitchenware, all kinds of groceries, snacks, frozen item items, fresh produce. Tons of things you can't find anywhere else. Even though the second location is smaller and has less, you can still find a lot of variety.

If you're in the Atlanta, Georgia area, it's worth looking around Clarkston, which has a sizable Asian population (seems to be mostly Indian and Thai). I've discovered at least 10 little mom-and-pop shops so far. I'll try to post the names of the best ones as I explore them more. There's a Thai one in the Super Fresh shopping center near the intersection of Ponce de Leon Ave. and Brockett Road that has bulk brown medium-grain and short-grain (sweet) rice (most of the others I've explored do not carry medium-grain rice).

In Decatur, Georgia, Your Dekalb Farmer's Market has a wide array of vegetables and spices with excellent prices (it also carries locally made tofu and a variety of teas and grains).

I didn't see HMart under Illinois.

HMart
1295 E Ogden Ave, Naperville - (630) 778-9800

On my way out, I noticed another Asian store across the street, but haven't been there:

Asia Supermarket
1512 N Naper Blvd, Naperville, IL
(630) 955-9189

Both were recommended to me by a Japanese friend for all my Asian cooking needs.

Another one which is not too far from Mitsuwa and has reasonable prices is

Tensuke
3 S Arlington Heights Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 6000
(847) 806-1200
http://www.tensuke-chicago.com

I'm not aware of a Japanese grocery store in our town, Asheville NC but Earth Fare is a great store and has lots of international items on the shelves. www.georgetteandron.com

Haruki Express
112 Waterman Street
Providence, RI 02906-1101
(401) 421-0754
its a sushi restaurant with a small japanese grocery store inside. not too much in the store but it has some stuff.

There is this wonderful shop in uptown Chicago too. I don't have its exact details with me at the moment but I will be back to post them really soon. Thanks for the comprehensive review on where we can get Japanese groceries. My husband adores Japanese food and every time I don't make it, he threatens me with a divorce. This is very helpful for me. Thanks a tonne.

Abbs @ event management

Anzen Hiroshi's
736 NE M L King Blvd
Portland, OR 97232-2743
(503) 233-5111

House of Rice
3221 N Hayden Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480.947.6698
www.houserice.com

Nam-Hai

1924 S Garnett Rd
Tulsa, Ok 74128

918-438-0166

This is an Asian Market...not specifically Japanese, however , they have a large place and lots of Asian ingredients, cookware, and miscellaneous products. Very neat store.

There is this wonderful shop in uptown Chicago too. I don't have its exact details with me at the moment but I will be back to post them really soon.

Name of store: Pacific Border Market
Address: 3000 23rd Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631 ( In that shopping center, next to Quiznos)
Phone number: Not sure
General comments about the size of store, selection, etc.:
I think its a Thai place, but the owners are super nice and the girl who is usually at the check out is super sweet. They have a small selection of fresh veggies and fish, along with all kinds of basic ingredients, teas, and snacks. Along with a cookware and house stuff section (soaps, shoes, that kind of stuff) Overall awesome!

I would like to see it happen. that will be good change from walmart.

What about Puerto Rico? We are U.S.A territory

Thanks for maintaining such a great resource!

Two Japanese markets in Las Vegas currently:

Nakata Market of Japan
2350 S Rainbow Blvd Ste 6 & 7
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Phone 702-257-1414
Fax 702-257-1418
http://nakatamarket.com/aboutus.aspx
(West part of town, NE corner Rainbow & Sahara)

Japan Creek Market
9310 S. Eastern Ave #115
Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 538-9857
(South part of town, SE Corner Eastern & Serene)

Both markets are fairly small (compared to stores in California). Both have a good variety of products, including small selections of fresh food/veg and bento. Japan Creek has a selection of specialty baked goods. Both also have DVD rentals.

There's another store in the southern part of town, Tokyo Discount, but I haven't been there; I've heard they primarily have home furnishings, not food.

Address: 3000 23rd Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631 ( In that shopping center, next to Quiznos)
Phone number: Not sure
General comments about the size of store, selection, etc.:
I think its a Thai place, but the owners are super nice and the girl who is usually at the check out is super sweet. They have a small selection of fresh veggies and fish, along with all kinds of basic

CAM

Village Crossing Shopping Center
10400 Reading Road,#145
Cincinnati, OH 45241

Olentangy Plaza
889 Bethel Road
Columbus, OH 43214

21200 Miles Road
North Randall, OH 44128

They have 3 different locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Prices are very cheap, compared to other places. They also carry Asian cookware, dishes, and body care items. Below is their website.
http://www.huaxin.us/english/indexE.htm

Sakura
936 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
www.sakurasf.com

This is my favorite neighborhood Japanese Grocery Store.
They have a wide variety of snacks, food and Bento products.
The store just opened online store as well!

The basic information needed is:

Circle Japan
12192 Beach Boulevard, Ste #1. Jacksonville FL 32246
(904) 642-7799
www.circlejapan.com/

Only place (store or restaurant) in jacksonville florida that I've ever seen or spoken to a japanese person, or heard the language japanese spoken in. They have a great selection of stuff and the best koshihikari I can find in jacksonville. I did not like the furikake I bought from there... but the selection of stuff is still nice, they even have okinawian soba, your standard american-japanese drinks calpis, ramune, etc... Still can't find my friggin melon soda anywhere...

Please tell me where the closest Japanese food stores are to the following Melbourne, Florida as we are moving there soon and MUST have our Japanese food stores.

http://www.plantillaexcel.com

There is a great store called Hana Oriental Food and Gifts in Mansfield, Ohio.
1225 Park Avenue West
Mansfield, Ohio 44906

Look up & add the newest Japanese grocer in Cambridge, MA
Miso Market
1963 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA
http://www.misomarketasian.com/

Unfortunately, Miso Market closed last year. :(

Knoxville, TN:

Sunrise Supermarket
8509 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919

This place is in the strip mall with Books-A-Million and The Rush and is across the street from where the Disc Exchange used to be.

This place is a supermarket-sized store (1970's-1980's market, for those of us old enough to remember) that carries pretty much everything Asian that you can imagine. They also have an excellent selection of meats, and fresh (as in still living) seafood. Their produce section usually has better looking stuff than most of the local chain stores as well.

East West Imports
203 West Myrtle Street
Fort Collins, CO 80521

Great little store. Very cramped but that's because it's filled with a lot of great Japanese items (also some Chinese, Thai, Korean). Has mostly food and grocery items but also housewares, books, trinkets, etc. The only place in Fort Collins I go for my Japanese fix!

Web site: http://eastwestimportsllc.com/

Anyone know of a good Asian or Japanese market around Wichita, KS? I've seen one that had an ok selection for a newbie like me, but they didn't have any bonito flakes. Kind of critical to have bonito for authentic Japanese cuisine even if you are completely new to the culture.

I live in Baltimore, MD and a great store is:
Asia Supermarket (in the Asia Plaza)
5510 Baltimore National Pike
Catonsville, MD 21228

It's a simple but large store. Fresh produce, huge seafood section, and really good prices. It's the best asian supermarket I've ever been to (but I haven't been to many and never any chains).

I'd recommend it to anyone in this area.

Oh goodie! I go to UMBC, I'll have to look for this! Thanks!

Online only:
Very high quality products. Very good prices when compared to the exact same products in brick and mortar stores, but you pay for quality . . .
http://www.naturalimport.com/

The same products can be found more expensively here, but if you're only buying one or 2 items, shipping from the above will be more expensive. These stores stock some Japanese produce such as gobo, but do not have yuba and such. They are not Japanese or Asian stores, more like high-end groceries with a good variety. Not cheap.

Guido's
Pittsfield Store
1020 South Street, Pittsfield, MA
(413) 442-9912

Great Barrington Store
760 South Main Street, Great Barrington, MA
(413) 528-9255

http://www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com/

Li Ming's Global Mart
3400 Westgate Dr (across from Target)
Durham NC 27707

It is a fair bit like Grand Asia in Cary (with maybe fewer tchotchkes) only not half an hour away from my house :)

There's a decent assortment of Japanese items (plus from other parts of Asia, plus random Latin American grocery sections thrown in for good measure.) Seems a bit more south-Asian in bent but I have never failed to find what I was looking for for my bento'ing undertakings (if not exactly a plethora of options.)

Sources tell me there is another grocery across 15-501 from Target which may have a better selection of Japanese (and Korean) groceries ... I will check it out and report back. :D

On the Tucson Arizona there is a large Asian store with a big Japanese section called Lee Lee Market at Orange Grove and La Cholla roads intersection.

In Phoenix, Arizona there is a large Asian store with a big Japanese section called Lee Lee Market at Dobson and Warner.

I'm sorry to say that Daruma, of Bethesda, MD, closed down several years ago.

Addition for Washington, DC:

Hana Japanese Market
2000 17th St Nw
(between N Seaton St & N U St)
Washington, DC 20009

It's a tiny mom-and-pop place, but it's packed with goodies. The owners are really nice and will help you find what you are looking for.

In Rockville, MD there is also:

Maruichi Grocery
1047 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852

Finally made it to Hana a couple of weeks ago. They had everything I needed -- plus some goodies that jumped into my basket when I wasn't looking. Great photos on their Yelp page: http://www.yelp.com/biz/hana-japanese-market-washington

There is also a Lotte Mart in Ellicott City if you're in MD. I go there on occasion with my friend, as we LOVE their udon in the cafeteria and shopping in their little gift shop!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lotte-mart-ellicott-city

There's also an H-Mart not too far from there, but we haven't stopped by it yet.

Joong-Ang Oriental Groceries
7800 Shawnee Mission Pkwy
Shawnee Mission, KS 66202
(913) 384-4989

This store has various Asian products, particularly Korean and Japanese. It has a small selection of kitchen tools, such as knives, chopsticks, onigiri molds, mats, and rice cookers. It has a wide variety of teas, sweets, drinks, frozen food products, condiments, mixes, vegetables, microwavable foods, as well as some freshly made foods. The owners of the store are a very nice Korean couple who are very down-to-earth. Oh, and a whole freezer dedicated to kimchi.

Maryland has another great store (not as big as Maruichi):

Hinata Sushi Carry Out‎
4947 Saint Elmo Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 656-1009

Also, has a sushi counter that is pretty good!

For University of Akron and North-East Ohio residents:
http://www.hanaasianmarket.com/

It's technically a Korean market, but the lady who runs it is amazing. If you can at least show her the packaging, she will do her best to get in the product. I can't really afford to run down to Columbus just to get my Java brand curry. She got it in for me and sells it at the same price as Tensuke.

I never had an issue with any of her items. Always top quality!

Brookyn, New York

I have to give a mention to my local and favorite Japanese grocery store. It's in Williamsburg Brooklyn, 2 blocks from the L train at Bedford Ave between Bedford and Driggs. Nowhere near as big as Sunrise mart and sells mostly packaged goods, some vegetables and fresh produce, frozen fish and meats. Lovely people.

Midorya

167 N 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-599-4690

http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2012/07/midoriya-japanese-grocery-william...

Tomato Japanese Grocery-

7124 Peachtree Indstrl Blvd
Norcross, GA 30071

This is a nice smaller grocery store but it is uniquely japanese and tends to stock some items that are difficult to find in other markets in Atlanta ^^ including boxed kamameshi!

Please note that, sadly, Toguri's in Chicago closed in Spring of 2013.

Japanese Market and Lunch Spot in Elk Grove Village, IL.
Just down the road from Mitsuwa, this place is smaller, more low key, and friendly. They sell a sufficient amount of Japanese goods and have a nice "Fast Food" service (called "Food Court"), Japanese style. Limited amount of fresh and dry goods (including fish), kitchenware, books, and videos. I love this place.
Tensuke Market
3 Arlington Heights Rd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 806-1200
Store Hours
7 Days a Week
9:00AM-8:00PM
Food Court Hours
Sunday-Thursday
11:00 AM-7:00 PM
Friday & Saturday
11:00 AM-7:15 PM

There are two stores I know of in Tampa Florida

I frequent this place, the owner is very nice and always remembers me and my kids when we go. It has a nice variety for such a small store. Try the Ramune soda if you go!

Kotobuki Oriental Market
5537 Sheldon Rd Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 806-0172

MD Oriental Market has been mentioned already.

Hana Japanese Market (and travel agency) is the best family-run, small Japanese market in Washington, DC. It is located on U Street, at 2004 17th St, NW, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: (202) 939-8854. It is open 7 days a week, from
10:00am - 8:00pm daily.

In a very compact space, they offer fresh, frozen and packaged Japanese foods, teas, snacks and accessories. It's always fun to shop there, even if you don't know many of the foods. I like to think it feels like it might in Japan.

If you Google Hana Japanese Market you'll find several review sites (Yelp, Google, Facebook, etc.), with very positive reviews. In addition they have a simple website: http://www.galaxygalaxy.com/hana/ Check it out!

No markets in Alabama on the list? The one I frequent in Montgomery, AL is called Seoul Market and is at 1841 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117. It's a Korean market which caters mostly to the Korean population in Montgomery due to the Hyundai factory. They have a lot of Japanese foods, and a nice selection of cookware and foods. I've gotten onigiri molds and bento boxes there.

Seoul Market
1841 Eastern Blvd,
Montgomery, AL 36117

There is a similar, smaller market nearby called "Hyundai Market." The other place in Alabama I can sometimes get Japanese foods is the Food-Pak International store in Mobile, AL. They vary their selection a lot though, hardly ever having the same items.

Koyama Shoten in Livonia MI is no longer in business :(

Multicultural Asian Market conveniently located providing a clean, well organized environment and diverse Asian Grocery selection of quality authentic Thai, Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Indonesian groceries at a low price to serve the Treasure Coast Florida communities of Stuart FL, Port St. Lucie FL, Palm City FL, Jensen Beach FL, Hobe Sound FL, St. Lucie West FL, Ft. Pierce FL, and Jupiter FL.
www.asianspecialtyproducts.com

  • Kim Chi Chib Asian Market (194 Starpoint Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28303)
  • Sun Supermarket (404 Santa Fe Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28303)

    Both are great choices, but I prefer Sun Supermarket (owner is very helpful). Their prices and selection of products are pretty comparable. Since this is a military town, there are SEVERAL Asian supermarkets to choose from, some larger and some smaller.