Tea C.
Google
I was so trilled to see an Asian market opening in Hell’s Kitchen. Unfortunately, this store is like all the fake omakase places in the neighborhood, a ripoff of Japanese culture and reputation.
Of course it’s fine to have non-Japanese owners to own Japanese restaurants and markets, just like H-Mart and Ranch 99 both sell many Japanese products, and some of my favorite Japanese restaurants are also non-Japanese owned. But at least be honest about it! This brand feels really fishy, and a little bit internet digging makes me realized it’s the “MINISO” faking to be from Japan situation all over again. But I guess westerners will never get it or understand why this feels wrong to so many of us.
Anyway, aside from the questionable products that is def not Japanese, they do still carry some authentic products from Japan, so I’ll likely come here when I don’t have time to visit the authentic Japanese market 15 min away.