Marukai

I just came back from Japan and was excited to see this place while visiting Santa Monica. Pretty reasonable prices for imported goods, saw lots of stuff I haven’t seen at smaller Japanese markets in SF Bay where I live. However, the egg sandwich is inedible. If you’re hoping for a sandwich like 7-11/Lawsons, etc, skip this. I love eggs everything and was disappointed.

This place is awesome for Asian foods. Also very affordable on most items and you can use EBT here. Loving it and will be back soon.

Peaceful atmosphere, friendly cashiers & found some cool & interesting foods. 1 or 2 employees -I found was watching us for awhile to see what we where doing but uhm like what else would we do besides shop but that didn’t last long, thankfully and besides that, it was a great trip.

Great parking. Parking is free, they have upper and lower level parking. This is a great place to get Japanese specialty food and snacks. Sushi is made from rice in Japan. They have ice cream from Japan. Service is awesome & so is security. . They also have a makeup section & kitchen ware. You can get alcoholic beverages. . They have a self service checkout.

Was very impressed with Marukai. Although I had been here one time before, it was a surprisingly new and enjoyable shopping experience. The store is made of almost 100 percent Japanese imported items. It felt like I was in a Tokyo supermarket. Bought barley tea, canned fish, bottled green tea, and my favorite snacks, along with other items. Great selection and special price deals . Looking forward to my next visit.

This market is great for finding Japanese specialties. There are customers that walk out of this store with multiple bags. So many items appeal to me that I sorta got lost in the moment. You’ll find everything that you need for your Japanese cooking. You’ll also find snacks and noodles, which is my personal favorite. There are more than just that, and the prices on most items here are pretty affordable.

One of my favorite places to buy prepared sushi in the West side. Considering inflation, the prices are great and the flavors and freshness is excellent. After 7pm sometimes you could get discounted sushi made in the morning which I recommend to save. The sushi rice is made in Japan. I also recommend the hot yams which they keep toasty!

A great small but packed Japanese restaurant that has a variety of basic and specific needed ingredients to cook. There is amazing take out food too. The only downside and it’s probably due to their size if there is not a lot of produce.

I love coming here. I always find something new to try. Great variety of snacks, candies, produce, ready made sushi. They even have a beauty and home section too. I always get a salmon hand roll. I've tried the sushi before but wasn't a fan. I got some lychee candies this time which I'm excited to try. I get my pickled radishes from here. Parking hasn't been an issue for me, they have a parking lot and there's also residential parking nearby as well.

Marukai Market has a pretty good selection of Japanese skincare and face masks - which I love! I enjoy going through each aisle and looking at the different products. Grocery wise: It has a variety of ramens, snacks, hot pot broths and rice seasoning packs to choose from. Not a big selection of fresh produce so I wouldn't recommend coming here for that. I've tried the ready to eat sushi here and I thought it was mediocre. I prefer Nijiya and Mitsuwa prepared sushi. Parking is relatively easy as there is a back lot and I think there's below ground garage parking, although I have never gone down myself.

Just wanted to highlight Juno & John for their immaculate customer service. It's very rare to come across respectful, knowledgeable and kind individuals in this type of setting so I was highly grateful to have this interaction today! I also have to shoutout the security guard that was on duty today as well for being respectful! Even though I wasn't shopping for myself, I'm thinking about coming back to get a taste of Japan!

I come here all the time, it's my go-to for Japanese groceries. Marukai has the best prices, especially because they sell their own store brand items from the parent company chain store from Japan called Don Quixote (DONKI for short), known for their bargain prices. They also have a great selection of Japanese toiletry items. Marukai is also super easy to access, being located on Bundy and Pico close to the I-10 ramps. Here's my general assessment between the three main Japanese grocery stores in West LA. Marukai has the best prices, Nijiya has a lot of organic and quality options, Mitsuwa has the book store and is a good place to go if you can't find what you're looking for elsewhere.

I can spend hours in this store. Unfortunately, I didn't have hours and ran in to buy some quick eats. It's a decent size store with its own small parking lot. I went on a weekday during lunch time and it wasn't crowded. Workers were also really nice and efficient. There's so much to pick from in the fresh packaged food aisles. I got some handrolls, onigiri, a blue fin tuna bowl, and an unagi bowl. Spicy Tuna Handroll - 10/10 Salmon Handroll - 7/10 The spicy tuna had the most flavor. Easier to eat than the salmon hand roll because the salmon chunks were hard to bite. I like how there's a hint of wasabi in both. Salmon Flake Onigiri - 7/10 Tuna Onigiri - 7/10 Both had good flavor but the filling is too light. As with most grocery store onigiri, it's heavy on the rice. Unagi Bowl - 10/10 Blue Fin Tuna Bowl - 10/10 Great deals on both. The tuna was so fresh and melted in your mouth. Unagi was delicious too -- very generous portion for the price. I also got a side of salmon sashimi, fresh mochi, and sides of ginger and seaweed salad. All were really good. I would definitely come back if I'm ever in the area again.

I love Marukai. Plus is you can use EBT here. I got lots of food items here for a really good price. I will be back really soon, Marukai! Don't miss me too much.

So much good stuff packed in a small space. Everything from most Japanese groceries to the hottest skin care beauty items, all at the best prices in town. But the best is to your far right when you enter, the be to section! Great value, wide variety, fresh, creative dishes, always something new. Even the desserts come in portions perfect for one. The added bonus is the always helpful floor staff and always friendly cashiers. Oh, Marukai tends to play Hawaiian music and you know we just can't get enough of that Aloha spirit!

Props to one of the best Japanese grocery and general goods store in West LA. I also frequent Nikita on sawtell, and Marukai has the Do (Donki) brand private label which are high quality and inexpensive (think of Trader Joe's food items, but Japanese origin). They get fresh bentos and food to go items everyday made in Gardena. The sign says everyday 11am, but I noticed they are there by 10:30am on Saturdays. Older items get discounted with a sticker. The food here is super high quality and the bentos are generally $10 or less. Cashers and the stickers work here are super nice and friendly. I was clumsy one day & dropped one of the bentos, but they said no worries with a smile & cleaned it up like a champ. Parking is free and they also have a security guard at the door. If you are going to a beach or Hollywood bowl, Dodger game etc, you can pick up food here & you are all set!!

Marukai Market on Pico in West LA is a great place to shop for all things Japanese: produce, curios and sushi! Yesterday, I popped inside for alkaline water and was amazed at the fresh sushi selections. If I had any room in my tummy, I would have bought some sushi. The water selections were plentiful, mostly sodas though. My furbaby only drinks alkaline water and I was lost finding it. Thank goodness for the help of a staffer, he walked Me to the section and aisle to find only a few and stocked in an obscure spot. I'm guessing the store buyer is unaware of alkaline water and it's gaining popularity and demand, glad some were stock. But Marukai is definitely the place for fresh sushi!

Best all around japanese cuisine and great ready to go lunches. The food is fresh. Service very knowledgeable

The overachiever in Japanese supermarkets, small in square feet but nonetheless bigger and better than anything on the Westside, by far! Back when their large supermarket was in Gardenia, (now called Tokyo Central) I went there at least 1x a month, but now it's not necessary. They are super well stocked in every category you would need, and maximixe all available space with every variety of food, drink and also Daiso style products. Less choice but still decent is the fresh produce section but I can live with that. And, their ready to eat food section is ever growing and delicious. Reasonably priced too, def worth grabbing a meal there. They exemplify the quality of Kaizen!

Clean, great selections. Service is friendly. Great Japanese sake as well. Parking is limited and space is small is the only bad part about it.

Lots of options. Tons of meals ready to go. Lots of fresh sushi and fun snacks! Good security too.

Marukai Markets can be found in CA and Hawaii. The company was founded in 1965 and since then Don Quijote has purchased Marukai Markets. It definitely bought me back to shopping at the Don Quijotes in Japan. There are many Japanese food products. There is also a variety of household products, prepared foods and beauty products.

My favorite Japanese grocery in the area. There are lots of great things sold here. The prices are a little cheaper than other Japanese groceries nearby. There are lots of free surface and underground parking as well. Their fresh sushi is a little bit expensive for the quality, but at night they make everything 20-30% off (although sometimes the good stuff is gone!). Still, I love coming here and getting Japanese food and snacks!

I love coming here for my groceries! There's so many delicious Asian foods here to tryouts I highly recomend it

Four updated stars b/c... F_ind your Asian groceries needs here in small-ish shop O_hhh the prepped bento boxes and fresh-made section delights U_mami flavors for sure R_egular coming here for years Quick Notes: * Decór - neat, well-labeled aisles in small store * Offers - snacks, housewares, self-care, cookwares, frozen or fresh foods, drinks, desserts * Accepts - credit, debit, cash * Parking - free, more in the back (shares building with Party City)

The fat security guy w curly hair is a crybaby, he kept talking and got all emotional for the entire time after the incident. I was purchasing a bunch of groceries and accidentally left one item in the cart as I was returning the cart before paying, he grabbed the cart and I pulled it right out of his hand bc I'm not taking his crap. All he had to do was use his words but he wanted to be a tough guy and I showed him I'm not scared of him for even one second. Guy is a loser 100 percent and his own coworker apologized to me on his behalf.

One of my favorite Japanese markets in LA since they layout is so aesthetically designed and it carries products that can't be found at other Asian/japanese grocers. Service is okay but shoppers can expect to shop without any interactions with workers. My only critique is that they don't take EBT which makes it unaffordable for low income shoppers.

It's all about COMFORT FOOD during the Pandemic! I love, love, love that you can now shop Marukai Market through Instacart! Marukai Market and Tokyo Central have joined forces. The kabocha squash, broccoli, mizuna leaves, Japanese sweet potato, bananas and green onions were super fresh and A grade. Shoutout to my shopper Michael at Instacart for picking the best! He also brought my favorite curry, frozen udon, premium rice, sushi vinegar, Pocky treats, POG and guava nectar, red bean mochi ice cream, and orange cream puffs too! I ordered some grab and go tempura bowls and traditional veggie sushi rolls for dinner that were quality items as well. Thank you Marukai and Instacart for making home delivery a reality! My pantry and belly are happy happy!

Probably one of the best Japanese supermarkets I've been to. Wide selection of Japanese goods. I got so giddy just going up & down the aisle. Whatever Japanese goods you need, make the pit stop here!

The store itself is amazing purchased so many things I couldn't find in any other specialty supermarkets, however my negative review is about the sushi. The sushi is absolute trash in my opinion I got a baked salmon roll that taste super weird, the spicy tuna roll tastes weird as well, looks like they are just reselling sushi from a Distributor, the roll is thick mostly rice, like something you would find in 7 Eleven, the ingredients are super weird for sushi. I will probably be back, But will definitely stay away from the sushi

This is my favorite location. They have more stuff selections compare to other Marukai. Friendlier staff , cleaner and better parking spaces.

I am a big fan of Japanese food and grocery. I love how fresh of their vegetables. No complaints.

Great specialty Japanese market. This market offers Japanese, Hawaiian, and pan Asian products. The produce always looks high quality and tastes spectacular!! The ready-to-make meals are delicious and reasonable, seafood and meats are always fresh. There is a ton of bakery products, home items, and grooming items. This market is a treasure trove for Foodies.

I have gone to this market now for several years to buy various grocery items for my shabu shabu. I enjoy the variety of food options, as well as some cooking accessories that they offer. The store is always clean and the staff is very helpful. I enjoy the variety of saki, which I cannot find in a lot of local grocery stores.

Great selection and always Knowledgeable staff if your looking for particular items and info on the items. This is just one of 3 of the Japanese markets I go to. Other 2 are Nijia and Mitsuwa I live pretty much in between the three so it's a pleasant set of options. It's honestly so hard to rate them in order. Although Mitsuwa was the first of the three that I started to shop at years ago I have to say I love them all equal. They all have a similar selection. Bottom line: you cannot go wrong going to Marina for your Japanese grocery needs.

5/5, not even, 10/5!! I love this place so much, this place has so many specific Japanese snacks/ foods that I grew up eating that I can't find anywhere else (except for Mitsuwa maybe lol). They also have Japanese beauty products I love using, and on top of all that, they have pre-made food like bento, sushi, baked goods, etc! I can't say anything but spectacular things about this place. They also follow covid guidelines fairly strictly (masks, certain amount of people inside at a time, bag your own groceries if you have reusable bag, etc) which I very much appreciate. I guess the only downside (if there is one) is that unless you go at an obscure time there's typically a line going out the door and around. I recommend going at like a 10am on a Tuesday or something

This is my go to market about once a month in the area for Japanese fare. It's clean and offers what I need for my sushi, ramen and poke needs. Prices are reasonable. Offerings include produce, ready made foods, and pantry items. If I'm in a hurry, I come in to grab something to go. When I have more time, I buy my fish, seaweed, rice and condiments here too. There are other markets on Sawtelle and in Mar Vista but they don't offer anything I can't find here that's much closer to where I live. I recommend coming here!

Maan, idk why it took me so long to look for a Japanese Market in LA. I absolutely love coming here cause of their seared salmon sushi $12.99 (better than Nijiya Market's salmon sushi) and takoyaki $4.49. They have a great selection of affordable prepared meals, although I tend to have stuck with my go-to's.

cute store with lots of prepared meals. sushi selections were fair for the price point ($6). it worked for a quick bite

Great grocery selection and prepared foods. Love the sushi and the rice balls. Also free parking lot with plenty of space.

Cute little market that specializes in Japanese goods. The buildings for these markets are separated into two. One side is more for produce, groceries and meats and the other building is for snacks and dried goods. We didn't buy much in the produce/meat building, but we did stocked up on snacks and drinks in the other building. The prices are really decent and their selection is good. If you are a Japanese snack connoisseur, the selection probably won't wow you, but if you're new to the game, you'll be impressed. They have a lot of old favorites and some of the more trendy newer items. I'm not sure if Marukai is affiliated with the Don Quijotes in Japan, but a lot of their branding and signage features the logos. Even the font is the same. We ended up picking a few different new flavors of Pocky sticks to try and also a few bottled beverages. They had a special on liters of Japanese tea for $1.99. We wanted to buy more but we knew we couldn't finish it in the few days we were visiting from out of town. They also have a decent selection of alcohol. Mostly beers and wines. I was specifically looking for a brand of Chu Hi's they carried in Japan, but they only had one brand here and it was not what I was looking for. They also carry a few non-alcoholic drinks including beer and Chu Hi's.

It has so many special and surprising selections. Fresh and tasty! Love it! I bought a rare find giraffe bowl, some mochi cakes and black bean tea bags. If I'm local to here, I'll probably take a few boxes of nato home too.

Excellent Asian market conveniently located just of the 10 west , Bundy exit. Has a wide variety of foods drinks produce candy spices and medicines you can't find anywhere else. I've been going to this Marukai for about 10 years and never had a bad experience. Love their green tea , kimchi and fresh sushi selections. Lastly the kids will love their candy selection too and they have a good amount of parking available.

Parking can sometimes be a pain in the butt but they have a lot of food you can't get elsewhere. Plus, around lunchtime they put all their bentos and sushi out. Good if you are just looking for something quick & healthy to grab and go.

This is my favorite Japanese market to purchase groceries at in West LA. When you think of Mitsuwa and other Japanese markets, they can be a bit expensive, but with Marukai, which is next to Taco Bell over here and Armacost, I find the prices very affordable. I always get my green onion, jalepenos, hot pot sauces, and hot pot ingredients here. The dessert section is great with a bunch of cheese cake, eclairs, creme puffs. They also have pre-made meals that are very cheap! After a certain time, they are even discounted. There are sushis, thin sliced beef, takoyaki's, and basically all you can think of here.

Nice small Japanese market, appreciated the selection of sauces, seaweed, and other dried goods. Very limited selection of fresh produce and a little expensive so I skipped it. Agree with another review though, security dude was a little intense and it definitely took away from the shopping experience. I LOVE grocery shopping, but him running around the store, 007 style was a little anxiety inducing. This store may want to reconsider their approach.

Great grocery store , they carry a lot of products I like to use but forewarning they never have anything before 11:00 a.m.. nothing is restocked, you won't find any meat produce or any perishable items before 11:00 a.m..

I think I'm turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so ! I am humming as I walk around the store !This was everything that we needed. It's a crazy time in life when almost nothing is allowed the one thing that is left to do is shopping. We may not be able to go to Japan but we can shop like were there . Four of us shopping in the store and all of us having so much fun in Each department. I can hear each one of us saying oh look how cool ! Come check this out! We came here specifically looking for a grill and we found it ! Of course after finding like $50 worth of choice meat I'll kinds of extras we were on our way ! Japanese culture is so awesome. The packaging is everything.

One of our favorite Japanese grocery stores in the area. Great deals on multiple items including ramen, snacks, and more! Occasionally you can get clearance prices on some great finds. While produce seems to be overpriced, the watermelon slices are not ;)

I saw this market on the way back home so thought I'd stop by to pick up some stuff for dinner. The market had a great selection of snacks and most anything else you could need on your shopping trip. The produce selection is a bit smaller than the other asian markets I've seen but it still bad all your basics. There was a lot of pre made dinners, sushi/nigiri plates, hand rolls and triangle rolls to choose from. The sushi was very good and reasonably priced.

Why can't they have this store on the East Coast? I would go every day! They have a whole ume section: ume Candy, ume gummies, ume potato chips, ume everything! Peach Coca-Cola! Nabisco Aerial layered corn puffs! A must visit while in Little Tokyo.

Japan-based retailers in the US market with multiple locations. Fresh sushi,bento box and snacks at reasonable prices and wide-variety of imported Japanese goods. Make sure you check their weekly ads. They have free parking seat this location

Excellent Japanese Grocery store. There are more options here than any other Japanese grocery store. There is a wide variety of sushi and pre-packaged ready-to-eat rice meals and they are all amazingly delicious! That's why you'll see it's continuously being stocked with freshly prepared batches as they go very fast. There's also a vast selection of beauty products as well as kitchen and bathroom products. Prices here were more reasonable than other Japanese stores and they always have promotions or discounts. Parking was very easy and there's much space available at the lower level parking exactly beside the store. There is a line though before entering the store - but this is the Pandemic era so this is to be expected. But not much long wait time as the line goes fast. This has now become our go-to Japanese grocery.

Marukai does a terrible job of social distancing through this pandemic. I was in here yesterday to do some shopping with my dad, and the image of seeing customers crowding around one area absolutely disgusts me. I don't understand why the staff can't enforce the rules of social distancing. I even overhead the assistant manager telling one of his colleagues that there was no SD in the store. I had to leave the store as it just getting too out of hand. I plan to write a formal complaint to their headquarters office. This is totally unacceptable and irresponsible for the store to run their place.

Smaller Japanese market compared to others w/ a small parking lot. Has a lot of essentials but can quickly sell out. Because it's a smaller store, not everything is available. No live seafood but a decent selection for sashimi. Enjoy checking out new drinks or snacks. Note: After 7PM there's a discount on some of the prepared foods. Friendly employees too.

Updating my review because the management did reach out, they got back to my email promptly, and told me the improvements they made. I went into the store a few days later after that and my experience was 100x better. I appreciate the communication and understanding!

Absolutely love the deli sushi available daily there. I also pre-order my sushi/ nigiri platters there for entertaining and New Years Day celebrations.

Low quality bentos. Sushi are low quality and not fresh. The rice was completely hard and stale. Recommend dry goods only. My daughter eats an apple everytime we go to the grocery store. It's her favorite thing to do, which always makes people happy and comment how good she is. The customer manager comes over and starts yelling at us because of it. Did you pay for it? The apple isn't the same weight anymore and goes on a tangent how she can't eat inside the store. I happily said I'll pay for a bigger weighted apple, no big deal. She kept on going on a 2 year old child. I'm sorry, I'm busy paying for $200 in groceries, I haven't gotten to the apple yet. The cashier felt bad and apologized for to us afterwards. You need a new manager that is friendly and welcomes their customers. Never going there again.