Marukai Market

Category:	Japanese Grocery Store
Address:	123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St #105, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Phone:	+1 213-893-7200
Site:	marukai.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 14

Octavio Akiyama

Located inside Weller Court is a small market called Marukai, the main entrance is a bit of a hole in the wall, and once you step inside youll see a ton of Japanese products of all sorts, most immediately though would be a few aisles of make up and other beauty products off to the right. If you continue walking through there is a section with prepared foods such as sushi, sashimi, Gyudon, and various sweets. The place is clean but does feel a bit cluttered, moreso in the back because of the cramped alcohol and random fruit/vegetable area. If youre ever in need of any kind of Asian ingredient that a Vons, Ralphs, or whole foods doesnt have, youd certainly be able to find it here. One thing I should mention, unlike the other Marukai, this location does not require a membership to shop there, probably because its small or other reasons. Also, there are two different parking garages you can go to for parking, or you can park on the street, but be warned! Parking on the street is $4 an hour!

A Private User

When I come to Little Tokyo, I go to Nijiya Market in the Village Plaza, after eating at Orochon, i felt lazy to walk over there so I went here. Compared to Nijiya, it was better. It looked more modern and clean, while Nijiya felt outdated and bit claustrophobic. Marukai also sold Japanese decorative items unlike Nijiya. Marukai also had more variety of food products and looked like I was in Japan. They also have a cheap selection of Japanese plates and bowls that I love and use. I gave it four stars for one reason. MEMBERSHIP. You need to have membership to take advantage of some of their deals which is a turn off because why pay for a membership if i come at once every month or so. Who do they think they are? Costco? I might be sticking to Nijiya as my main source of Japanese goodies and make "occasional" visits to Marukai.

Willis Wong

Parking: There are lots all over little Tokyo Tip: Membership $1.00 a day I went here because I was in the Little Tokyo area. They have a huge selection of Japanese snacks. It can be a bit hectic trying to find things in this store since there are boxes of products placed at random spots. I bought some curry that was on sale and went to check out. They asked if I had membership. I said no and they charged me 1.00 to use their membership. So if you dont have membership, I suggest you buy a lot of on sale items to get the biggest bang for your buck. I think I saved 0.50 on the curry. I was disappointed that they charge for getting sale prices and it isnt ridiculously cheap either. In any case, it is a nice market and has a lot of random Japanese product.

Shon Adam

Marukai has a captive audience in Little Tokyo of tourists desperate for Japanese food, junk, etc. In the old days, prices were VERY reasonable and selection was awesome. Those days are gone. I stopped buying meat here because of how many times it was BAD and had to be thrown out. Dont trust the sushi anymore either although price is going through the roof. Management is terrible and just a quick reading of Yelp will indicate what is going on here in the realm of customer service. But its the SECURITY guard that follows and intimidates customers that really ruins anything positive about shopping here. Try the one on Sawtelle or in Torrance. Anything beats this place. Total fail.

Navapol A.

I went there at 8.30 pm. I need to use the restroom and get some grocery before heading home. I asked for the restroom. They told me that I had to buy something first. It was understandable. However, after having paid for more than 100 bucks worth of grocer, I asked to use the bathroom but they still said no because they were closing. I looked at the clock and it was 9.20pm. The shop hour was supposed to close at 10pm. They told me to walk out the store and use public bathroom. What a liar. Why did you make me buy your thing when you didnt want me to use your bathroom.

Chris LaLonde

Marukai Markets are my favorite Japanese Grocery store chain in Los Angeles and probably the US since how many other cities even have a chain of Japanese grocery stores. This location I think is one of the best, not only because of the surrounding restaurants in Little Tokyo but because of how well laid out the prepared food area is and the aisles arent as crowded as some of the other locations. They also have a nice patio area out front with tables for you eat your newly purchased bento box or sushi sampler.

John Lucien Grillo

OMG! They have grapefruit Chuhai. I was stunned. Nobody on this side of the Pacific has Chuhai! But there is also a great collection of other Japanese foods and products for sale here. Hario coffee filters and cones for example. And they cook food for customers to sample. Stop in for groceries or pick up a pack bento lunch from their grab-and-go section. Could be the best cheap meal option around.

Dwight Stephenson

We started making sushi a few weeks ago and found everything we needed at this store. Sushi really isnt that hard, other than making them look nice, its pretty simple. I bought the seaweed that was "slightly mishaped" but 1/3 the price and i could see the misshapenness. There was no line at the register and we paid $1 for the store card which sVed us a $1 on our purchase.

Logan W.

Good Japanese supermarket with a well stocked selections of Japanese products. The only thing is that the things there are a bit pricy in my opinion of having visited Tokyo personally and compared the prices of the same products. Some items are over twice as much as the ones in Japan. Guess everything comes in a price if you want to get it in LA instead of Tokyo.

Jack Hair

Like others have mentioned, the prices can vary depending on what youre looking for, but they have a huge selection to choose from. We mostly come here for Japanese candy, Ive still not tried everything they have on offer here. This is also our go-to place for frozen pork dumplings, cant find tastier ones anywhere else unless theyre fresh from a restaurant.

Jeannette G.

Step into this shop for a glimpse of a Japanese Market. Many of the products are the foreign version of American staples like Oreos and Kit Kat marketed to the tastes of Japan - Green Tea Kit Kat anyone. Many ready made foods. There is a small fresh meat section, but this is quite pricey. Many many quirky items and must tries.

Renee Arias

This place has a great selection of a lot of things: produce, dried goods, meats, etc. I do get the sense (from other Asian markets I have been to) that this place is a bit overpriced. It may be a function of the location (Little Tokyo), but I have definitely bought the exact same items at a 99 Ranch or Mitsuwa in San Gabriel.

Karla Martinez

All the produce here is pretty freaking great!! And a lot of great stuff is inexpensive! Sushi is always delicious and at a reasonable price!!! Come and take your lunch breaks here for a nice healthy lunch. And while youre at it get some fresh produce, noodles are great. And kitchen supplies are so great!

Christopher Robin

uhm.. wa-- waow. this store.. this.. MARVEL of markets. on top of having BASICaly every asian food/ snack/ drink/ ready to eat assorted food, the plethora of other assorted items there FAR outstretches any close competition. by far the CHEAPEST redbull and other related items. anywhere. EVAR.