Sanko Trading Co.

Clean quiet Japanese grocery store. A lot of hard to find products. I really appreciate the notes below the products explaining what they are. Specifically the soya sauce. They explained and colour coded the notes to make it not confusing. I ended up buying a couple of them as gifts. As they also included what they recommend using the soya sauce for : sashimi, cooking, cold dish, warm dish. Staff were also very polite.

Beautiful Japanese mural and a great variety of Japanese food and goods

Sanko, a true testament to the saying "old is gold," has been a beloved fixture in Toronto's Japanese community since 1968. This quaint little store, owned by the ever-friendly William, is a treasure trove for anyone seeking authentic Japanese ingredients and a warm, nostalgic experience. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a little piece of Japan. The shelves are lined with a dizzying array of spices, sauces, snacks, and kitchenware. And let's not forget the mouthwatering onigiri, freshly made and ready to satisfy your cravings. William's warm and welcoming demeanor adds to the charm of Sanko. He's always ready with a friendly smile and helpful advice, making every visit a delightful experience. Whether you're a seasoned Japanese cook or a curious newcomer, you're sure to find something to pique your interest. So, the next time you're craving a taste of Japan, head over to Sanko. It's a place where tradition meets modernity, and every visit is a delightful adventure.

I would give this place zero stars if possible. Their Onigiri has abysmal portion sizes, with tough papery seaweed, and poor taste for the cost. They also have the audacity to charge for soy sauce! Easily the worst Onigiri I’ve ever had I would rather eat day old sushi from Loblaws. Super disappointed will not be going back.

Nice small Japanese store. You can find Umeboshi that has no preservatives, fresh Onigiri, Menma or pickled Bamboo shoot, ceramic Japanese dinnerware, Ramen bowls, Japanese green tea, fresh ramen noodles to make your own Ramen at home, Dango, Daifuku, Japanese snacks.

Cute and cozy Japanese store on queen st. They offer a lot of different Japanese goods from ceramics to noodles and snacks. It’s well worth it to go if you don’t want to make the trek up to J-town and you’re looking for specific things. Definitely visit if you’re in the area

Sanko is truly such a gem. I stopped inside on a whim as I was passing by and was absolutely thrilled by the wide assortment of Japanese imports! They had so much to offer, ranging from chopsticks and utensils, tea sets, mugs, plates and dinnerware, small home trinkets, decor, kitchenware, as well as as a small but lovely assortment of fine teas (and even a grocery area with both commercial and home made foods)! I was absolutely in love with two of their beautiful pink tea sets, and if I hadn’t been travelling with limited space, I would have bought one of them in a heartbeat. As for what I did buy, the shop owners were very kind and helpful when I was attempting to pick out the right sencha green tea blend as a gift for my wife. They offer paper bags with hand drawn calligraphy on them for a very cheap cost, and I noticed that they took the care to choose a bag with the written kanji for “heart” after knowing to whom the gift was for, even though I didn’t request it. It was only a little gesture, but I was genuinely really touched by that and I wanted to mention it. Next time I visit Toronto, I am going to leave space in my suitcase specifically so I can return to Sanko again and buy so much more. Thank you!

The perfect place to find authentic Japanese food, dishes, candy, rice crackers and more. Be sure to check out the fun mural on the outside of the store. It's fantastic street art.