So, I've been a huge fan of Mitsuwa for years, but boy did I have a mind-blowing experience at Tokyo Central recently. I gotta admit, I never gave it much of a chance before, but wow, I was blown away by the amount of food they offer for such a great price.
I was actually on the hunt for a specific car air freshener - the CS-X3 "Blue Squash" flavor - and heard that they stocked it. But once I stepped inside, I couldn't resist taking a peek at their packaged lunches and bento boxes. I'm a sucker for meals that are $10 or less so I was glad that I had so many selections to choose from. I'll be back during lunch time to check out their lunch buffet and maybe do some shopping.
Tokyo central is in my top 3 Asian markets in Orange County. Formerly marukai, this place still caries a huge selection of different kinds of Japanese delectables. Love getting their fresh tuna and crab meat for making my “sushi”. Very conveniently located off harbor and baker.
A place chock-full of Japanese groceries and stuff! Unique flavors of candies, chips, and snacks you can't find in my neck of the woods! There's produce, fresh meats, rice, and more! Okay, I maybe shouldn't be this excited over a grocery store... it's just cool!
I always enjoy shopping here! They ACTUALLY have delicious ready made food available & getting it early is the best time to enjoy it’s freshness! The prices are not cheap but it’s worth it. Sushi’s, the food in their deli is good too especially the Takoyaki!
I love this place! Fresh premade sushi or sushi by the block, its delicious. The snacks and warm buffet for lunch. Its making me hungry just thinking about it. Only problem is I buy everything I See and spend way too much money every time.
Pros:
1. Tokyo Central Market offers an extensive selection of the freshest seafood, making it a paradise for seafood lovers who crave the best quality sashimi and sushi.
2. The market's diverse range of similar Don Quijote items provides a unique shopping experience
3. Being a prominent attraction around Irvine, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant local food scene and experience authentic Japanese flavors.
Cons:
1. The location of Costa Mesa might be inconvenient for those who don't have access to a car
2. Due to the vast size and layout of the market, finding specific stops or stalls may prove challenging
3. The difficulty in finding desired items may hinder the overall shopping experience at first.
Great prepared food selection and fun candy and snacks. It's not where I'd shop for fruit but it's a good place to source Japanese ingredients.
If you're a fan of Japanese snacks and goodies, Tokyo Central is a dream come true. They have a wide range of snack and candy options that will leave you spoiled for choice. What's even better is their dedicated section for Hawaiian products, adding a tropical twist to your shopping experience. Don't miss out on their must-buy item, the mochi waffle mix.
It's a great place to pick up stir-fry meat, high-quality sushi, and tonkatsu ramen. Personally I like to hit the deli to pick up a roll for lunch, which varies from 6-19 dollars. In addition, the staff are super friendly and the store is always clean and well-stocked.
There's so much to look at here, groceries, fresh veg, food buffet by the pound, fish market, cosmetics, housewares... Amazing that's it it's just one store! Parking is the pain here. The shopping center has too many stores and not enough parking during the mid-day rush. Be prepared to make laps around the lot during peak times and holiday seasons.
Lots of Japanese bentos options. The chirashi or nigiri sushi is always very fresh. There are also many cooked bentos as well. The staff and cashiers are friendly and helpful if you need help locating an item. Many Japanese snacks can be found here, it is always welled stocked. Occasionally, there are fairs featuring various Japan's regional products from Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kumamoto, Shizuoka, Izu, Kagoshima, etc. Parking can be a challenge especially on the weekends. Generally, Japanese products are cheaper here compared to Mitsuwa, Nijiya or Seiwa. If you are buying fresh fish and seafood, there's a self service ice kiosk at the exit across from the customer service counter. You can take a plastic bag and scoop some ice to keep your seafood fresh during transit.
Amazing supermarket full of Japanese imported foods and snacks. Having lived in Japan for a year, coming here was truly a nostalgic experience. Literally everything is imported from Japan except the fresh food. The food counters were great! So many onigiris and even a Japanese style pudding. Not super authentic but the flavor is almost there.
Japanese skincare and hair care is marked up heavily but it’s still okay. Asian products made fo’ asian peeps!
It’s our family favorite former Marukai from Honolulu. Always fresh food, fresh veggies, good eclairs & flan, specially everything is the best for us to prepare sashimi lunch quite often. And the price is very affordable comparing with other Japanese markets around the area
Yoooo, this place is so good! They have all the snacks you could ever want and a sushi bar which is really cool. I got this stuffed Inari there that was absolutely delightful and filling!!!
Everything seemed sold out when it came to their prepared foods. They have a great Japanese selection of Japanese snacks and even sell make u! We got their chocolate sake, I’ve never see it anywhere else.
I’ve only been here twice but I love it so far! They have a huge variety of food, and a large take-out food section that’s filled with sushi, bentos, and sweets. I got some of their hot vegetable croquettes and they were delicious with katsu sauce. During peak shopping times the store can definitely feel crowded, especially in the to-go area because people come here to grab lunch. I would say the store feels more cramped compared to Mitsuwa, but if you’re in the mood for good Japanese food/snacks, it’s worth a stop!
Great fresh fish! Made a sushi dinner for 10 ppl, spent about 150$... We got everything.. Rice, Tuna, Yellowtail, Shrimp, Smoked Salmon, Scallops, Soy Paper, ect. Amazing quality and prices!
Tokyo Central has fresh deli section, delicious buffet food, and great collection of groceries: fruits, snacks, sauces, etc. I was happy to find my soy sauce on sale, so I bought 3 bottles. I love this clean supermarket🤩.
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