Uwajimaya-Beaverton Store

Reviews 11

JA

Jason Wetzel

Large, well stocked Asian Grocery (for comparison, its about twice the size of a Trader Joes). If you need Asian cooking ingredients, dont go anywhere else. They have an excellent meat department and the best fresh fish in the area. Plus other fresh foods like udon noodles, steam buns, mochi, veggies, backery goods, etc. Also great imported teas, sauces, beverages, and snack foods. The gift section is fun, I often find myself getting a cute Totoro item or origami paper for my kids. Only con might be that I dont really care for the deli take-out Chinese foods. Its on par with Panda Express, but a little too salty. The ready-to-eat steam buns and cold deli food like sushi and rice balls are okay though. Note: they recently added Amazon PrimeNow for local deliveries in under 2 hours on orders of $35 or more.

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ZA

Zach Keesey

There are a lot of Asian stores in the Portland Metro area, but, as far as I know, Uwajimaya is the only one that has a primarily Japanese focus. Not only for food and candy, but also Japanese toys, books, decorations, and cooking supplies. While you will find foods from other Asian cuisines present, they are not as plentiful or as varied as you would find at other Asian groceries because of the Japanese focus. My biggest complaint with the store are the prices. If you go to a different Asian grocery store for basic Asian ingredients (rice noodles, curry paste, etc.), its probably going to be a little cheaper than Uwajimaya. However, I think when it comes to an experience, especially for any burgeoning or life-long Japan-o-phile, this is the place to go.

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MI

Mi Nguyen

Be prepared to stay a while at Uwajimaya, because theyve got EVERYTHING. Upon entry, youve got Ramen Ryoma to your right because we all know grocery shopping on an empty stomach is a bad idea for the wallet. By then youre deep into housewares and all sorts of cute Japanese knick knacks. Go a little further and youll find yourself looking into Kinokuniya, fulfilling all your bookworm needs. Once youve made your way around the aisles, the left perimeter of the store is full of opportunities to sample foods, such as different types of Japanese salad dressing and scallops, a little musubi shop, and cream puffs at Beard Papas. Even if you dont come for groceries, I assure you that youll come out with something interesting and unique.

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JE

Jeremy Mulcahy-Hill

One of the best Japanese grocery store this side of Tokyo. Having been through several grocery store in Japan, this is definitely the closest thing your going to get. From the noodles, the book store, the kitchenware, to the bakery and produce section, and lets not forget the memorable seafood section. I dont think Ive seen kids so excite to see lobsters and crabs in a tank. They have a great little restaurant attached as well. The staff is very friendly and helpful. We came on a Saturday once and I think it was a Spring festival they were doing in the parking lot with traditional Japanese dances being done with songs. Great place for specialty items, or if you just a big Sake fan.

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MA

Mark Neidengard

Beaverton, and arguably Portland metro at large, has a winner in this full-spectrum Japanese-plus grocery store. Whether its fresh seafood and produce, overseas snacks, AI rice cookers, or one of the best sake selections in the West, Uwajimaya delivers. The in-store Kinokunia is a staple Japanese bookstore, and youll find it hard to resist the gourmet creampuffs of Beard Papa. Im witholding the 5th star because the Japanese eatery is ehh and because the Shiseido boutique and Azumano travel agency have departed. Nonetheless, this is as much a commercial hub as the Japanese community (and in fact, the Asian communities in general) has here and its quite up to the task.

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SA

Sarah Singh

Asian superstore! I go there for all of my Eastern culinary needs, candy, and an occasional hot lunch. An isle of Ramen, Edamame, Michiu, Gyoza wrappers, Chinese long beans, Ramúne, a wall of tea, and a plethora of sake, in grocery. Just round a corner, to find the cooking utensils, beauty products, and gifts (in addition to a small book/toy store). I generally, start at the tea an end at frozen/fish. That way, I am close to the steam buns, and can grab some hot. If youve never been, make an excursion of it, until you figure out what youll be getting regularly. I have been taken be surprise at the checks and, because I acted like a kid in a candy store.

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GL

Glenn Barker

I come here when I need some import foods or just generally want to go some place Japanese. Its not as big as the one in Seattle, but it has a decent selection. The produce is excellent and its a decent place to pick up some seafood. Everything is well stocked and clean. The staff has been friendly everytime Ive been there. I also enjoy the Kinokunia, a Japanese book store. Its good for manga lovers, but they also have a section for novels and magazines. If youre in the area its definitely a place to check out. Be prepared to spend a bit as the prices and a little high, though. However, there are plenty of things to try when you do go.

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TA

Taba Luedtke-Phillips

This place is amazing. Asian grocery at its finest. There are always really good advertised deals and the variety is top notch; there are a few places around town with better non-deal prices, but theres many reasons to come here first. This mecha has a number of seperate dining/takeout options within as well. Part of the store is dedicated to domestic items and souvenirs, and theres an entire Japanese book store here as well (theres a few English publications included, so everyone interested can check it out.) Unlike other stores around town, these guys have a community presence. They hold holiday events and mini festival gatherings.

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JE

Jeff Chiu

I...LOVE this place. As an American Born Chinese, Ive spent my fair share of time in and around asian markets being dragged along with my mum. This is the cleanest and most orderly asian supermarket Ive ever been to. There is an air of professionalism and care put into the store. As a chain, I love Uwajimayas model that includes a food-court (Try the Beard Papa cream filled profiteroles, or the steamed buns next door!) and a lovely book/stationary store (I get all my pens there, and Im becoming a pen snob). The housewares section is great too with lots of cute nick-nacks to amuse you to your hearts content.

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JO

Joshua Kornmüeller

Really nice grocer. Reminds me of the local H-mart back home in Dallas. The book store inside was awesome. Fantastic selection of manga and the staff were pretty cool. The grocer had a fantastic meat section too. A lot of good tasting items sold here that you can only find from an Asian grocer. Only issue I had was with the cashier who seemed to mock and scoff at me when I tried to ask questions about some of the produce and surrounding area since I am here visiting. All-in-all though. If I lived in this area, I would more than likely shop here quite often.

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ME

Melanie Johnson

I adore this place. Everything is clean and fresh, and the store is extremely accessible, even if you only speak English. In addition to a wide selection of Asian grocery items (with an emphasis on Japanese goods), theres a decent stock of beauty /health items, gifts, and fresh produce and fish (like, super fresh. Still alive in the tank fresh.) Kinokuniya, the bookstore in the back, is well-known in Japan and carries a lot of unique art/office supplies as well. Youll also find a Shiseido make-up store and a Beard Papas cream puff kiosk inside.

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