Mitsuwa Marketplace’s Futuristic New Torrance Grocery Store Is Now Open - Eater LA
"Mitsuwa Marketplace, revered for its stellar food court and expansive Japanese grocery, is now open with a big new location at Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, taking over a former Marshalls department store. The longtime South Bay dining and shopping destination closed its iconic Western Avenue location further east at the end of January 2020, with all of its food stalls such as Misasa, Hannosuke, and Santouka closing along with it. But this Del Amo location, which opened on February 12, is poised to become the South Bay’s glossy new Japanese food hub. At the moment, Mitsuwa’s grocery and deli are the only parts that are open, with a wide selection of Japanese sauces, rice, beer, sake, meats, sushi, and dry goods for purchase. The deli toward the back of the grocery store offers pre-made sushi and sashimi plates at a reasonable price, including chu-toro nigiri and tuna-avocado cut rolls. A smaller produce section might be the first place customers walk through, though the choices here won’t beat out the variety at nearby Nijiya Market, which is popular with local Japanese restaurants for ingredients. The look and feel of this Mitsuwa is a clear departure from the Japanese grocery chain’s other stores, many of which feature traditional Japanese interior roofing and design appointments. Here at Torrance, the look is futuristic, sleek, modern, and clean, with almost no adornments on the walls. Mitsuwa made sure to amp up the food court, integrating the stalls a little bit better than the Western Ave. location. At the moment, the stalls that shifted over from the older location include Misasa (Japanese-style set menu dishes), Tsukiji Gindaco (takoyaki and taiyaki), Santouka (Hokkaiko-style ramen), Sutadon-ya (curry rice bowls), and Hamada-ya bakery. In addition, Modo Donuts, the popular mochi-style donuts that drew long lines at the Western location, will have a permanent stall here at Del Amo. Confectionery J.Sweets will serve Japanese-style gift mochi, candies, and cookies while Mugimaru and Toritetsu prepare yakitori, udon, and karaage don (rice bowls). Though all the restaurants have been approved to open by the health department, Mitsuwa plans to slowly roll out food stalls in the court through the next two weeks leading up the store’s grand opening on February 28. By that time, nearly everything in the emporium should be open. Mitsuwa operates 11 stores in the U.S., and is the largest Japanese grocery chain in the country. The grocery and deli are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with restaurants slated to close by 8 p.m. daily." - Matthew Kang
