Small Asian grocery store that has a lot to offer. Ive been going there on and off for the last 30 years since they were on Dale Mabry and catered to Otakus with their video rentals. Super nice, family owned business that has plenty of goods to try. Plenty of different drinks, snacks, ramen, and sauces to choose from. If you shop with your eyes, prepare to spend more than you wanted to.

This is such a cute little Japanese market. I havent been to one in the Tampa area so it was much needed to check it out. It is definitely smaller than your average oriental market but it definitely is stocked with many goodies. They have Japanese snacks that arent available at the bigger oriental markets. There are good dinnerware selection as well. Their snacks and drinks are great as well as the staff/owner. She was very sweet and talked to us. I would encourage others to come here if theyre looking for unique snacks!

Glad friend recommended this store. They have everything I needed(I’m native Japanese) and the owner is really nice and helpful. Be back. By the way, I live in Bradenton, it’s an hour drive for one way but it’s worth it.

You’re average oriental, lots of japanese goods here, a nice selection. The owner is very sweet and nice. Only thing bad is things are quite expensive, some of the stuff you can buy at major grocers for way cheaper. A basket full of snacks can cost 100. But it’s definitely worth it in my opinion.

If you are focused on Japanese groceries this is probably your best option in Tampa. The larger oriental markets will have a broader Asian selection but I was able to find in Kotobuki some Japanese items I couldnt find elsewhere

Very friendly owner and an awesome selection! Love trying interesting Japanese snacks when I come. And really good prices too. Would absolutely recommend anyone comes here, you’ll always find something!

This is a small market but it has all of the essentials. The lady that runs the store is personable and makes you feel welcomed.

Great selection, very reasonably priced, plenty of parking and of course the stores proprietor is a joy to interact with. Dont miss this gem.

I love this place. You will feel very welcome by the owner. She is a very sweet lady.Such a great variety of snacks, drinks and teas and also kitchen wear. I loved the ramen section. You will find, Ice cream and rice cakes and much more. Its small but worth it. I also noticed she had books, sadly I dont know how to read Japanese.I will be back again and I will talk about this place with others. Please give it a visit!

Great selection, sweet lady running the store! Ive had a hard time finding authentic Japanese food/groceries in Tampa, but this place is the best Ive found so far.

Small japanese grocery store with a lot of products specific to Japan. Had everything I needed to make rice balls at home which was my main goal of shopping. The store attendant even gave me advice on how to make rice balls easier 😊 Definitely will come back again!

My new favorite go to spot for all things Asian inspired in the kitchen! The owner was so friendly and helpful with very clear English. I learned quite a bit while I was there too :)

Hidden little gem. A variety of Japanes noodles, snacks, candies, seasonings, condiments, frozen foods, drinks, soups and kitchenware, pots and pan, chop sticks, paper, pens and pencils. She also has a shelf of books in Japanese. The owner is amazing.

Adorable little Japanese Oriental Market, sweet Japanese lady running the cash register and the vibe is unmatched with other stores. So peaceful, and nice selection of authentic Japanese food, snacks, beverages, and utilities.

We arrived to this shop minutes before opening. The owner however was just a bit late opening the store. However her friendly manner and amazing variety more then made up for this. My wife was delighted to see many treats and staples that made her glow with joy. If you are in the area and need some staples, please stop by.

A great variety of food, drinks, and snacks! So many items caught my eye, I will definitely be returning. The woman working there was so nice and helpful, I actually learned some things about what I was buying! From gummy fruit candy to dried squid snacks, whether you are feeling adventurous or wanting to keep it simple, it has something for everyone.

The best... GREAT selection of Japanese food...thank you for having nice items

Wonderful place ran by a very sweet Japanese lady. They have a great selection of Japanese food and snacks for a good price. She makes great sushi on Saturdays!!

Love this place! Precious lady that runs it!

Just stopped in for the first time today. This is the only Japanese specific market in the area and it does not disappoint! I only got myself a couple of treats this time around but I will definitely be going back for some Japanese grocery staples soon. They have a huge variety of sauces and seasonings, noodles, snacks, and more. Its pretty small but it uses its space well to provide a lot. So excited about this find. Arigatou gozaimasu!

This is and forever will be the most wholesome place in the whole state. The lady is so sweet and nice and I swear the next time I go I will get her a gift!Never fails to amaze me!

This is a hidden gem! I love this little market. It’s small but has so many amazing items. From food, to snacks, and even appliances. This is a must go.

Store owner is very nice and helpful. Quality products and prices are reasonable too!

Its always a good time here! Great Japanese food and snacks at reasonable prices. Some Korean and Vietnamese items as well. We really love it here and the shop owner is awesome. Shop local!

Have been wanting to visit this Japanese market for a while, it had everything I wanted. The lady was very helpful and extremely pleasant, which made the whole experience great. I will be back.

Best little japanese/Korean market, its small but has everything you need! The owner is super friendly ❤️

Super friendly service, and a wide variety of snacks/food/kitchen silverware, etc. but they only accept cash so bring some with u when u go there

The owner is very nice and helpful. She is willing to order things if she doesnt have it in stock. Selection is good. Some things are a little expensive, but other items very reasonably priced

The owner is super sweet. The have a good selection of Ramen here.

Amazing store with fantastic staff. Kim took the time to try to decipher my poor japanese. Found my new market.

My fav asian grocery store

A fantastic little Asian market! They have almost everything you could ask for from Japan as well as several other countries. The owner is extremely nice as well (and makes fresh sushi on Saturday mornings)!

Amazing little place with a wonderful staff. Its a smaller store, but they have a bit of everything! Its perfect for what I need, its nearby, and the prices are very fair. Show this place some love 😁

Great market with an excellent selection! The owner, Ms. Kim, is friendly and helpful.

Good variety, and very friendly owner.

Amazing. They have so many choices of food here. Fresh products too. Even kitchen ware! I really recommend this store. The lady who runs it is so sweet.

30 minute drive, but totally worth it. So much of my nostalgic Japanese favorites and staples sold here. Will visit many more times.

Relocating can be cumbersome if not tedious trying to find places that you enjoy shopping at, a place you can find a little bit of everything you were once accustomed to...Sweet places on earth to find familiar products from afar, yes you’ll enjoy this tiny village style market with a bundle of delightful and fanciful goods such as a small selection of fresh vegetables, miso, a selection of hard to find individually wrapped specialty cakes from Japan, a small variety of top quality rice in regular 25lb sizes, unique Asian utensils, as well as cooking instruments, a little bit of everything Asian and more!!!The absolute plus plus is that the storekeeper speaks both Korean and Japanese fluently, is welcoming and beautifully pleasant to converse with!

Best asian market out there. Essential for snacks and fun, also has good Japanese products to cook with for bigger meals as well. Everything there is the best

Products not fresh like the fish .

Great place. Friendly staff. Large selection of japanese products.

What a lovely store! The prices are fantastic, lots to select from, and the shop keeper is sooooo so kind! She answered all of our questions and made us feel very welcomed. Its a very special market ♥️♥️♥️♥️

My only complaint is that the store was very warm. Everything else was fantastic. The shop keeper was very sweet and friendly and absolutely adorable. Even though we cant read Japanese/Chinese, we managed to find everything that we went in for. Were definitely going to be back again, especially since they carry huge jugs of tamari.

Absolutely love coming here. The woman who owns the store is always so sweet sometimes we pop in just to say hi! Dont let the small shop appearance fool you, she has a great variety!

Very good selection of Japanese products.The lady was very helpful in helping us find what we needed!

The owner is a sweetheart and i love going here for snacks and canned coffee :) you wont find anything else like this in tampa, thats for sure.

Very good stuff for Korean foods and Japanese foods nice and clean A+++

I love Kotobuki. They have everything I need to make delicious ramen at home. And everything I didn’t know I needed 😹. The lady that runs the store is always so friendly and helpful. I am always excited to go and find new things.

My new favorite store for all things Japanese!! My mom is Japanese, and I had previously been frequenting the MD Oriental Mart to purchase various goods and snacks, but they carry very few Japanese items. At this store, I was able to find frozen Takoyaki (like octopus meatballs) plus the sauce to serve it with, as well as all of the other snacks and goodies I grew up on. The store owner is extremely helpful and always greets my kids and I with a smile. I live over 30 minutes away, but it is definitely worth the drive!

Wonderful and friendly service, and a wide variety of hard to find Japanese food items, as well as a smattering of other Asian goods, and even some limited fresh produce. Kim, the owner is very warm and welcoming!

Well kept grocery store for Japanese goods. Comforting feel of a homegrown store, fair prices. Clean, nice, would go back for rare/unique Japanese goods

Amazing store if you are looking for oriental food. The lady is very sweet and she is ready to help you always with a nice smile. Great selection and good prices.

I went in for gifts to send from Florida and she was so friendly and helpful. I had fun!

First time shopping today and needed advice for soup recipes. The owner is very sweet and showed me exactly all the ingredients needed. Store is very well kept and clean. Glad I found this place!

Went on Monday, I bought 9 things and 3 out of 9 were expired. One energy drink Lipovitan was expired since Nov 2019. Calpico mini (soft drink) were expired since March 14, 2020. And one chip was expired since Feb, 2020. Just realized that when I got home. :(

Love all the Oriental goodies you cant get anywhere else.

Tucked away, and a little tricky to find, but definitely a good find. An authentic, mostly Japanese little market, that looks to be a family-run small business. You can get noodles and sauces and cookware and candy and drinks and so much more. The staff are friendly and helpful. I went here to find a hard-to-find sauce and paste for a new recipe, and they had it, but now I will be coming back to try even more of what they have available. Come support this local business!

Very nice!The owner is so sweet and i got everything that I need. Highly recommended!

This place was simply amazing. While it is a Japanese market I was not expecting anywhere near what they had available. If you need any type of Japanese ingredient, I can assure you that you will find it here. Not only was the selection great but the store owner is the nicest lady you will every meet. I can honestly say that it is worth a trip just to meet her. It is very rare to find someone so nice and helpful today. Most businesses treat their customers like an inconvenience but not here. It will be my first time making a Japanese recipe and I was looking around the store for all the ingredients. The owner actually took me to each one and even gave me tips from her own recipes. I strongly recommend you visit this shop at least once as Im sure there is something for everyone.

The market is pretty small, wish they had more fresh produce. Every Saturday she has fresh made veggie sushi rolls for $1.50 per full uncut roll !!! We get at least 2 every weekend.

Fantastic selection and they helped me with my first ever ramen recipe and it turned out great. Thank you so much. Will be back soon.

Very convenient japanese/Korean market owned by a very sweet lady. The kimchee is my favorite and taste just like my moms. Highly recommended ♥️

Loved it

She is so nice and cute. She helped me read the packaging and have me advice on what to get and what tasted good because I had no idea. Now I make the best miso soup with her products. I want to go back as soon as possible.

After living in Japan for many years we fell in love with Japanese foo, and like someone else commented, the other asian grocery stores only carry a few items, here I was able to find refrigerated Yakisoba Our Favorite among other great ingredients . The costumer service is wonderful. Can’t wait to go back!

Love, love Kotobuki...we drive all the way from Orlando just to shop there...they have the best selection of Japanese products.

Great local, neighborhood Asian market. There are bigger places farther away, but if you shop local and support local businesses I highly recommend this market. Great selection, given the space. Always a pleasure to shop here!

Owner was very kind and the kimchi sold there is delicious

The store was clean and organized with everything that I was looking for. The owner was also super friendly and helpful.

Great Japanese grocery store! The store is kept very clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The prices are a just little higher than expected, but its worth it and will definitely keep shopping here.

The only go to grocery to find japanese groceries in Tampa Bay. Open from 10 to 5pm ...mon thru sat. Imho all rice brands are not the same... you can find that quality brand from Japan here.

Lovely little Japanese grocery store. Owner is super kind and helpful. A great selection of both hard to find ingredients and quick snacks.

Awesome selection of snacks and ingredients. Im learning more Japanese recipes so I can keep coming back. The cheesecake in the fridge is AMAZING! The owner is extremely helpful and friendly. This place rocks

I love this place. The owner is such a nice lady.

Mrs Kim is very friendly. I get my 50 lb bag of rice there. She sells the best sushi rolls for inexpensive but only on Saturdays. It goes fast so you have to get them earlier or call.

I love this place. No matter how much time passes between my visits the owner recognizes me. She is super sweet and helpful. My go-to market, no matter how far away I live.

I was very happy to find this store...had been searching all over for a specific variety of seaweed...and this was THE ONLY place that I could find it at a very reasonable price. The store owner was very warm, friendly, and quite personable with all of the customers. 5 stars for sure!

Ive been going here for years now and I absolutely love it! The selection is great and the owner is always so happy to see me and my mother when we come into the store! Its also really close to home and I almost always try something new whenever I go there!

I love it here the owner helps me allot she so nice and sweet. She helps me out when I think of some ideas to make been coming here since I was a in my teens, and she close by house really convent, she helps you out to find the ingredients you need for the food you want to make.

This small grocery has all the best and hard to find Japanese ingredients. They are very helpful and appreciative of our business.

My husband and I were in the area and wanted to have japanese curry for lunch, so we decided to stop by and pick up some ingrediants. The shop had everything we needed for our dish and is clean and tidy. The shop owner was very polite and courteous as well. Would definitely come by again.

This little shop has authentic Japanese/Korean products at a fair price and it has the kindest shop owner you will meet. Delicious food and interesting products. I recommend going here!

Love the little shop with many items you cannot locate elsewhere. The proprietor is a very nice helpful woman. Lots of seasonings, sauces and other things.

Very friendly and helpful! Todays was my first time shopping here but it wont be my last! Im so happy to have found this little gem!

By far my #1 source of all Japanese food and snacks. Friendly staff and great prices! I always find something new to try.

This is a small, kind of dimly-lit place. The hours arent really good, and theyre closed on Sunday. But if youre looking for good Oriental fixings and sauces, teas even frozen and refrigerated goods, give this place a try. I wish theyd carried more loose tea, but the Oolong I bought was still good.

Great place !! Just to expensive

Love love love this small market. I can find what I need quickly and easily and the owner is just the sweetest lady. This is my go to oriental market in this area hands down.

This place is great. The lady was very nice and showed us where all the types of stuff they had. Awesome little store foe anything you need Japanese, from tableware - food :-)

Excellent selection and owner is so helpful and knowledgeable. Store is very clean and prices are good. Kotobuki is a regular stop for us.

Awesome selection of snacks, drinks and desserts. Owner was super nice and helpful. Will be going back.

Awesome!!! I really love this place!!! Fresh product!! Very good prices!! It is an small piece of Japan!!! They have a decent variety of products from Japan!😍😍😍

This place is fantastic! Not only does it carry a wide variety of Japanese grocery items (and even some cooking supplies like pots/pans, utensils, even a tabletop burner or two), but the owner is very kind and knowledgeable. She happily answered my questions about recipes and ingredients and was very friendly. Its definitely worth the half hour drive, and Ill be going back for sure!

I have been to Kotobuki several and several times. Mrs. Kim (the owner) always greets me with a big smile when I walk through the door. They offer a great selection of vegetables, noodles, candy, soda, and desserts all imported straight from Japan. They also have Japanese along with Korean anime, and language lessons. Continuing on, Kotobuki also offers authentic bowls, chopsticks, etc. Overall, Kotobuki is the place to go for oriental Japanese foods.

They have natto!! The owner is very nice and very polite. I like going to this store even though it is a 38 mile drive from my home.

Truly love this place. Just go there once and you will understand.

Great selection, great prices, very nice owner!

Everything we needed for our Japanese cuisine was here. Best shop owner.

The owner is super nice, helpful and knowledge. If you have a recipe in mind she is will help you pick out the ingredients and gives suggestions. The prices are reasonable. If you need Japanese ingredients this little store will most likely have what you need. The owner helped me with my udon recipe, miso soup and all my sushi needs.

Good assortment of Oriental spices Currys foods and teas that you wont find in most places. I was especially looking for some loose oolong tea which they didnt have. But they did have some in tea bags, that actually turned out to be pretty decent, considering it was bags.