Look for: Japanese quality. Great refrigerated bento plates.Im kind of partial to Tokyo Central over other Japanese markets. There are some really nice clerks here but its still a bit iffy.Drawbacks: The store is kind if small. Fewer housewares than before. Some of the clerks are lacking in helpfulness and friendliness.
I always love stopping here to pick up bentos!!
Fantastic selection of products here. Although primarily Japanese they have also carry other foods such as Chinese, Korean and Hawaiian. They have a wide selection of freshly made sushi and bentos which were delicious.
Been going to Marukai for years, one of the best Japanese market in the Westside. Yummy ready made food, various snacks, spices, rice, sake...you cant go wrong with this place.
I loved Japan when I visited and this store had everything I could ever want to feel just like Im there. Right down to the friendly, helpful staff. Shame it took me so long to get in here!
When we are in the neighborhood ..We always stop at Marika for sushi, mochi and rice crackers ..Best sushi made fresh everyday for your hard earned money and other Japanese food items.. Lunch box items and sushi re-stocked every morning before the lunch crowds come by....delicious sushi at great prices....enjoy
I mean its a fresh Japanese market. Everything super fresh and ready for take out. Prices were ok for the area.
My kid loves this place hes so fascinated with Japanese foods and things of that nature but its a really cool market I like shopping here.
Five stars for this supermarket! they had prompt customer service. Their staff had good behavior towards their customers. It was very convenient because they had all that I needed. A place to go for one-stop shopping! The cashier was very patient. Great service!
Excellent selection of domestic and imported japanese goods. They also have a wide selection of fresh and prepared to-go food.I hear that they have a really good sale after a certain time everyday. Although Ive never been able to make it.This is a weebs paradise. Its always a treat coming here.
My green tea ice cream thats all I wanted
Excellent Japanese Grocery store. There are more options here than any other Japanese grocery store. There is a wide variety of sushi and pre-packaged ready-to-eat rice meals and they are all amazingly delicious! Thatβs why youβll see itβs continuously being stocked with freshly prepared batches as they go very fast. Thereβs also a vast selection of beauty products as well as kitchen and bathroom products. Prices here were more reasonable than other Japanese stores and they always have promotions or discounts.Parking was very easy and thereβs much space available at the lower level parking exactly beside the store.There is a line though before entering the store - but this is the Pandemic era so this is to be expected. But not much long wait time as the line goes fast. This has now become our go-to Japanese grocery.
Great selection of Japanese products. For the area they have plenty of parking. Easy to find. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
This is a fantastic market for Japanese food and groceries. In particular, the packaged sushi, bowls, all the meals are incredibly well presented, affordable, and delicious. The insider secret is that after 7pm every day those meals are discounted 20% making them an even better bargain. Japanese curry, sushi, even their spaghetti bolognese is fantastic. And surprisingly affordable.
This is one of those fantastic Japanese markets that just puts you in your happy place the moment you walk in. My head just kind of exploded at first sight. Theres a massive variety of products and the quality seems fine too. There are also tons of appliances, rice cookers, fry pans, kitchenware, knives and so on, plus a small but respectable liquor section. The prepared food wasnt in the best shape when I arrived late on a Saturday evening, although I dont suspect that anybody can make takoyaki that can hold up to reheating. The fish was fine and the vegetables looked acceptable too. Naturally, the junk food section was phenomenal.I plan on coming here often now. I was very impressed. π―π΅
I like this Marukai better than some of the Tokyo Central markets. There is a better selection of prepared foods than at the larger Tokyo Central markets. But this store is smaller than Tokyo Central, so selection of non-prepared foods is more limited. There is a small selection of non-food items.I didnt notice the smaller than average parking spaces that some people complained about on Yelp, but maybe thats because I parked in the lot behind the store.They do limit the number of people inside the store and follow other COVID protocols. There was a line to get in. Masks are required.
A Japanese supermarket credibly serving the Japanese population in LA. Neighborhood staple.
Authentic, authentic, authentic!! Tons of difficult-to-find Japanese groceries and pantry items. The ice cream and ready to eat meals are amazing!
Really like shopping here for Japanese groceries, and the 20% off for sushi/sashimi after 7pm is nice! Note the good sushi sells out quick.
I love this store.πThey have To go snacksA great variety of alcoholAnd so many unique items π€©(Hello kitty stuff, cat treats, beauty stuff, and so much more)Think Daiso mixed with a Japanese market)
Very nice Japanese grocery store with more space than others in the city. Nice selection of home goods, cosmetics, and food. The to-go lunches and dinners are tasty as well. Highly recommend checking it out if you are looking for Japanese food and ingredients.
Not for the unprepared shopper, as most labels are understandably in Japanese, but a very expansive and interesting grocery store for those interested or longing for Japanese food items. Some Hawaiian items too!
If you need a quick sushi fixed this is the place to go. They have a decent assortment of platters. The earlier you arrive the better the selection will. The market it self also has fresh sushi grade salmon, tuna, and albacore if youre trying to do get a DIY sushi experience.
Great store for all Japanese and other Asian food/items. Bigger than the Little Tokyo location, but the same company. Has great COVID protocols and recently updated store shelve alignment to have more options.
They have delicious Japanese food and other cool and well presented dishes easy heat up bentos and ramen it was amazing and not so expensive
Love coming here for udon, yakisoba, melon bread and nigiri! Smaller store but the employees are kind and willing to help.
Great prepared food. Employees are perfect !
Man it had everything I needed man but the magic white powder I got another magic white powder called msg still good would go again
Very clean market. Extremely friendly staff. Good prices
Japanese Market chain, this one is small but carries a lot of food, snacks and drinks. Lots of different prepared meals too.
Oh man. I love DonQi in Japan .. now you can get it in LA! Score!
I love this store for a little bit of everything - Asian groceries, toys and appliances, prepared foods. Sushi and sashimi from Tokyo Central. Has the most Hawaiian oriented supplies in West Los Angeles that usually you canβt get on the mainland.
Cool place, surprised to see some Donki theming inside.
Always a pleasant experience at Marukai. They always have what I need and often some nice surprises in new items π
I love this Japanese market. They have a nice selection of prepackaged foods, produce, housewares, and groceries. Staff are friendly and covid conscious. Go during off hours or expect to wait in line for a while to get in as its not a large store.
They got the friendliest customers in town always offering to help if youre in need of a question loved it great experience
Very friendly staff. Small location,limited parking I felt like I was at Nijiya on Sawtelle. Im surprised that Marukai doesnt open a large store similar to the Gardena location.Stopped by marukai today looking for Akiyama Kim Chee they dont have it(now they do) so I find this new stuff there. I buy it. I open it and it bubbles and over flows but the jar says its normal because of fermentation. It has a sharp tart taste to it. I think ill return it but after looking at Marukais return policy I decide to keep it instead of cussing them out if they dont take it back. Back to the JT Kim Chee its disgusting and stinks really bad If I wanted something this smelly I would of went to a Korean market. BTW Ive never had a jar of Kim Chee bubble before so I took a video too. I also bought Spicy tuna roll it was more like spicy tuna mochi because the rice was so chewy.
The employee helped me find what I needed.
Really great Japanese market. If you like Japanese food... stop going to just Japanese restaurants and get the real ingredients to make tons of Japanese meals/foods you wonβt find in your typical restaurants.
Its really sad that the security guard has to argue with people about a mask. Stores arent obligated to give you for free either π€·ββοΈ
Nice japanese market
Fantastic grocery store, particularly if youre looking for Japanese imports!
Great japanese market with good pricing and a large selection
They have pretty much everything we need from a Japanese supermarket. I really like their futomaki, Mammoth Bakery bread, and 78-cent/gal Crystal Geyser spring water. I wish they would sell the UMAMI karaage chicken they have at the Western and Artesia location in Gardena. My wife is disappointed that they reduced their facial care and cosmetics section, but they still have a good selection.
So glad Marukai opened up near me. They have a plethora of Japanese food, snacks, sake, household items too choose from. Their sushi is on point and they have an array of specialty Japanese drinks too. This is my go to spot when buying fish to make sushi. Absolutely love coming here, its always exciting!
The prices vary between affordable and expensive depending on the item but Id say its pretty fair.I get what I pay for. Some items are super fresh which drives the price up but that only makes sense to me.Staff is always friendly and theres always enough help around when I needed to find something.Parking is good too, theres over 15 spots but its a popular spot so be ready to park on the street if the lot is full.Overall though, its one of my top destinations for Japanese groceries on the west side.
Itβs niceI like the kaki pi, the most. Ume flavor.Good parkingEasily accessible location, not long wait.They sanitize the baskets, comforting for those of us who go overboard with the hand sanitizer
Fresh fish and groceries for sushi and poke
Better sushi and sashimi here than at Kurozushi restaurant.This place is always clean and friendly.
A good alternative to the crowded Nijiya. Great selection, good service.
Poifull is life. They stock the best Japanese candy!
Restroom had plenty of TP.
I really appreciated how thorough and strict their covid protocols were. The store was limited to 30 people, as we walked in we saw the baskets being wiped down, there were plenty of hand sanitisers around, and the cashier stopped us when we accidentally walked past the line we were supposed to wait at. Great prices, will be back!
I was shocked today to find my favorite Japanese supermarket transformed into a claustrophobic rabbit warren of shabbiness. The formerly orderly floorplan and relatively low shelves and good lighting were swapped with dirty and cheap looking metal shelves reaching up to the ceiling. The lighting was dimmer, some sections of ceiling were lowered, and a tacky collection of fish netting and plastic plants now hang from it. The floors were dirty and showed the scars of the former shelving arrangement. It appeared that the selection and quality of the food was still the same, but I did not stay very long to fully investigate. I had to get out of there! I briefly spoke with a manager about why the change. Apparently they were seeking to replicate the feel of a genre of overstuffed markets in Japan and even dialed back their original vision a bit. Whatever their vision, I hope it works out for them. Sadly I will likely have to shop at nearby Nijiya or Mitsuwa. Certainly during the pandemic, probably also after.
Pricey like most Japanese stores, but man, the premade meals are clutch π
AMAZING STORE!! Makes me feel like Iβm in japan again.Endless selection of snacks and food. The ready-to-go food is delicious, and they have a microwave in the back as well!The drink section is my absolute favorite !! So many to try!
Our favorite store for all Asian food items, fresh fish, sushi, sashimi, and sake. We live this place! Friendly service too!
My go-to grocery store for my japanese/asian ingredient needs.Lots of parking spaces but can be pretty tight.Decent product selection and space inside.
This is a great place to visit and experience a wide range of foods. We especially like Saritas Pupuseria. Their pupusas are wonderful and you get to watch them make them.
Great selection of Japanese items. Produce. Very clean. Didnt find what I was looking for today- Chinese bean paste. But a great store.
Its like a Don Quijote! They even have the blue penguin mascot around
Service is very poor. Cashier stood and waited while I put everything inside the bags.
The staff at this store are wonderful. Social distancing is observed. Masks are worn properly by patrons and staff. Great food options and a safer place to shop.
Great produce, lots interesting drink flavors of Japanese sodas, etc, large variety of delicious snacks, ready-made meals, and more!
I love this store! Definitely a great place to stop by to pick up groceries! Most of the items available are Japanese or from Asia however, there are still some American food brands available as well. I definitely enjoyed th experience and the friendly customer serviceπ
Incredible grocery with tons of Japanese and Hawaiian options. Fresh sushi and onigiri are available cheap, usually stocked a bit before lunch (12 ish)
Asian everything seems always upscale and interesting and quality ...fun
Other than on weekends when theres always a very long line of diverse shoppers waiting to get in, on weekdays, especially during work hours, theres very light crowd, never have to worry about social distancing issues, except at checkout being reminded to wait for the previous customer to be finished paying and leave before I approach the counter to put my items for tallying. Theres everything you need in limited amounts, but excellent selections. When I dont want to feel crowded in a smaller supermarket such as the one on Sawtelle, or dont need to use the foodcourt like the one near Venice & Bundy, I come here, its convenient, quick, not a place to hang out or loiter, but just to get what you need and get out, its perfect.
Great prices and good service and compliance with covid regulations
Always love Marukai/Tokyo Central. Theres always plenty of sales and promotional items plus the premade food is really good considering its supermarket food.
This place is awesome. Always has the specialty ingredients we cant find elsewhere, friendly staff, good prices. Thank you!!
Great Tokyo products
Amazing market, you can shop in Japan without taking a long flight.Great groceries and Japanese wares.Highly recommended.
They have really good sushi. They have plenty of parking even though every one wants to park near the store entrance. I appreciate that they have Spanish speaking employees that can help someone who doesnt speak English
A small Japanese store with take out sushi and bento. My go to place for asian ingredients. Very pleased to find that unlike other super markets prices have remained stable. They allow a limited number of customers in at a time and everyone wears masks. Plastic barriers at checkout.
Love this place! Perfect for a whole meal or a quick snack. They have a LARGE variety of things. Employees are very kind and helpful, they even provide you with a microwave to heat up your food! Awesome sauce!
Love there sushi and there teas