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Japanese Markets in Southern California

Bymartin

I was surprised to find so many Japanese markets in Southern California. As a resident of the San Gabriel Valley (east of Los Angeles), I was under the impression that they could only be found further west- nestled among the various Japanese communities that dot the southland. But after stumbling onto a Mitsuwa in San Gabriel, I got curious to know what other stores were nearby. A quick online search later, and I discovered there are actually quite a few Japanese markets spread throughout the southland! That’s pretty cool, because there are probably lots of people who are interested in checking one out.

However, if you’re one of the people who’re on the fence about it (or even apathetic), these markets are worth visiting for two main reasons. First, they offer a cool cultural experience where you can see how Japanese products differ from American ones. The packaging, flavors, and even the types of snacks are often completely different from what we’re used to seeing in regular grocery stores. Second, they connect you with popular Japanese snacks and drinks you might have seen in movies, anime, or TV shows. It’s exciting to try something you’ve only seen characters enjoying on screen!

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My Personal Connection to Japanese Markets

Japanese markets remind me of my trips to Tokyo in the mid-to-late 2010s, although, I first started visiting these establishments around 2011, before I ever traveled there.

What drew me in was finding products that were cooler or different than what we had locally. For example, Black Black gum (caffeinated gum) was something you couldn’t find in American stores back then. The unique varieties of canned coffee were also special treats that you could only get imported from Japan at that time.

However, after visiting Japan in person, these markets helped me feel connected to the country. The once-strange snacks became familiar favorites that brought back good memories. During my trips, I loved grabbing canned coffee and packaged baked goods for breakfast from convenience stores. That culinary experience isn’t easy to recreate in California except at Japanese markets, where I can get many of the same products found in Japanese convenience store chains like Lawson, FamilyMart, and 7-Eleven.

Whenever I miss Japan, I can easily walk into a Japanese market, grab a can of Boss Coffee Rainbow Mountain and a packaged pastry, and be taken right back to those mornings in Tokyo. It’s not exactly the same of course, but it’s close enough to bring back those happy memories.

A collection of Japanese snacks in Little Tokyo.
Ito-En Green Tea, onigiri, and a pastry- my go-to meal whenever I visit a Japanese market.

What Can You Buy at Japanese Markets?

As I mentioned, you can find many imported snacks, baked goods, and canned coffee, but there’s so much more available than just those items:

  • Bento boxes and prepared foods (my favorite is onigiri rice balls)
  • Various drinks like green tea, juices, and ramune sodas
  • Alcoholic beverages including sake, imported beer, and Japanese spirits
  • Fresh produce, including hard-to-find items specific to Japanese recipes
  • Frozen foods and ice cream treats with unique flavors
  • Rice and noodle products of many varieties
  • Cooking tools and small appliances for making Japanese dishes
  • Household items like cosmetics, cleaning products, and useful gadgets

Larger stores are like one-stop shops for Japanese household goods. You might go in looking for snacks but end up finding kitchen tools, beauty products, or even small electronics that are popular in Japan but hard to find here.

A souzai section of a Japanese market in Little Tokyo.
Craving Japanese food but don’t have time for a restaurant? Hit the “souzai” section of a Japanese market. It’s kind of like the deli in a regular grocery store, but focuses on prepared foods, rather than ingredients.

Where Can You Find Them?

If you want to visit a Japanese market, you’re in luck! There are many across Southern California, so you can probably find one near you without traveling too far. From small specialty shops to large supermarkets, these stores offer a taste of Japan right here at home. (Store names link to Google Maps)

Downtown LA

  • Marukai Market, 123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St #105, Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • Nijiya Market, 124 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Westside

South Bay

San Fernando Valley

San Gabriel Valley

Orange County

San Diego County

Ventura County

Other Ways to Find Japanese Groceries

Don’t worry if you don’t live close to the markets I mentioned- you still have options to find Japanese groceries! First, check your local supermarket. It almost certainly has a section of international foods where you might find some basic Japanese items (especially here in Southern California). However, if Japanese stores aren’t nearby, you can also find Japanese products at other Asian grocery stores such as:

  • 99 Ranch Market
  • H Mart
  • Good Fortune Supermarket
  • 168 Market
  • GW Supermarket

These stores may not have everything a Japanese market would, but you can usually find common items like green tea, Japanese rice, baked goods, and meat and produce for Japanese recipes.

Lastly, if you don’t live in Southern California, don’t give up! Many of the Japanese markets I mentioned also have locations in the San Francisco Bay Area and even in other states. It’s always worth doing a quick Google search for “Japanese market near me” to see what’s available in your area.

So the next time you have a free afternoon, consider checking out a Japanese market near you. Even if you’re not familiar with Japanese food or culture, it’s a fun experience just to walk around and see all the interesting products. You might discover a new favorite snack or drink that you never knew existed!

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