Marukai Market

Category:	Japanese Grocery Store
Address:	1740 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248, USA
Phone:	+1 310-660-6300
Site:	marukai.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–8PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 10

Trevor Long

I am a customer for a long time, mostly at costa mesa ( Tokyo Central now). But on 10/12/2016 , I was experimented a humilating,embarassing moment at this Gardena store by very rude employee. I have perceived a side of promotional of Asahi beers for $15.98 of 24packs, I did made sure that it is the price so I have consulted with the very nice man worked there and He did said if it a side said that so it is the price. So he did helped to put to the kart. But at the cashier, the price is not the same and the nightmare is started. The very rude employee named Hang approached with the very bad attitude. I did explained to her about the side and the man that I have talked with, she ignored totally about of what I was sayng instead she told me that is the computer said you understand and started to give a lesson in the very rude manner. And suddenly all the people stared at us, and so humilating! I understand , mistake might occured however there is the way to explain and to get the satisfied solution intead of demonstrated the offensive and combative toward the customer. That bad experience is traumatized about the customer service that I faced at this store .

A Private User

My husband and I are Marukai members and one time we went to this location and had an incident with the staff. We were shopping and selecting bottled tea and coffee and put them in our shopping cart. Because I really needed to drink something so I opened one of those that we were buying and drank a bit and put it back in our shopping cart. We moved on to the rice and grain area. Thats when we stopped by a security. We were yelled at and they said some people open the drink and put it back to the shelf. It was obvious that the bottle that I drank was in our cart with the rest of the merchandise that we were buying. It was a staff named "Ari" or could be "Aree" that called the security. We were not stealing. She should have figured that out as the bottle was obviously in our shopping cart. She should have told us directly, didnt need to make a scene by calling security to stop us. We got so upset because of this and felt deeply insulted. We will never come to this location again and might be giving up all the locations, although our membership still has several months left. We will consider going to "Mitsuwa" instead.

Cindy Ashton

Love this japanese market, it has everything you need if you are in need of Japanese food and food. Has basic everyday household Japanese appliances, rice cooker, humidifier, hot water maker, dishes, cups, and a bunch of other cute useful Japanese things you want but you dont need. Awesome food selection, lots of reasonably priced fresh vegetables and fruit. Has organics and imports from Japan. Fresh fish from Japan and local, at reasonable prices. The meat selection is amazing the best meat you could probably get anywhere. The snacks and all Japanese ingredients you need they will have it at a good price. They also have a food court area if you come during the busy hours of the day. The pork buns are amazing. Sometimes it gets busy so pick wisely what time if the day you decided to go. The structure is difficult to get in on Artesia. I use to pass it a few times before i was able to identify it. Its surrounded by a green fence all around.

Cat Manabat

I heart Murakai so much. I am much closer to the Little Tokyo location, but what I love about the Gardena Murakai is that it is way bigger and never gets as crowded as the Little Tokyo one. (We all want to avoid that moment when you and an elderly lady are eyeing that last packet of whatever...and you briefly wonder if its socially acceptable to elbow her out of the way.) I usually pick up saimin ingredients, my favorite snacks, and other packaged items so I cant speak for any of the hot food or even packaged pastries there...but they always have what I need and then some. Sure, I need a mini stapler and a panda-shaped mug. Sure, I need taro pancake mix and strawberry Kit Kats. Why the eff not? The cashiers are super nice as well. I did knock off a star because I happened to use the bathroom once and it was...not pretty. Also, the place in general is grungy (probably just old) but well-organized and the aisles are always clean.

Brian Garant

One of, if not THE, best Japanese supermarkets in the Los Angeles area. My family has been going here for years and, more often than not, we always find what we need. The prices can skew a little high on some items, I find that I can usually do my produce shopping elsewhere and save a little, but in general the prices are fine. It can get a little cramped inside on weekends and you should absolutely be prepared for a wait in the checkout line. For years I shopped at their satellite store in West Covina (closed now, sadly) and while it was much closer that was about the only thing it had up on the Gardena store. Consistently clean and, aside from one experience with a belligerent employee, the staff is great. Ive tried most of their competitors over the years and have consistently come back to Marukai.

A Private User

Marukai Gardina stores retail prices shown in the goods are normal. They probably buy cheaper goods which are expiring of the date. It should be careful and check the date out. There are many selections. What I do not like is the employees attitude. I went there and checking the goods I was about to buy with a cart. Then a Mexican employee came and said "Excuse me, excuse me" and attempted to allow him to put the goods on the shelf for him. This kind of staff who do not respect customers is actually working. If you do not care about such workers, you should go there and get goods in there.

Nyssa Buck

Boo to memberships. That being said, you can still enter and purchase items without a membership. They will charge an extra dollar and you don’t get the sale prices, but at least you can still shop. They have one day memberships available if needed. The top floor is filled with Japanese items such as traditional clothing, furniture and unique décor items and the main floor is filled to the brim with Japanese and Hawaiian groceries. On weekends there are sample food carts dishing out simple Japanese dishes to try. The food court is small but sufficient. Avoid at all costs around New Years.

劉星星

Shopping here make me feel just like Im in Japan. Big and clean. Nice staffs. I got some sashimi in the food court. Love it. Fresh and yummy!!!! 寬敞乾淨，商品種類齊全，員工服務好，令人購物愉快的日本超市。美食街的生魚片超新鮮!!!

Lisa Umeda

This is one of the better Marukais. They have everything that you could want. The service sucks, though. It serves the Nisei (2nd gen) crowd vs Mitsuwa or Nijiya which serves more of the Issei (1st gen) or Japanese transplant crowd. Marukai is generally the cheapest of the 3 Japanese market chains, but I feel that the quality also suffers a bit. Korean markets are cheapest for pretty much everything, so if you have a good Korean market nearby, I would generally opt to go there over Marukai.

Ken S

I recommend this place especially for anyone that cooks, and is looking for Japanese ingredients. The perishables here are generally more fresh than what youre likely to find at similar Japanese markets in the area. You can also find prepared food, kitchen goods, cosmetics, and various knickknacks all in one convenient location. Note though that the discounted prices throughout the market require a membership card at the cost of $1 (with no recurring fees).