The Giant Japanese Supermarket Chain Known For Its Food Court And Specialty Groceries

Mitsuwa Japanese Supermarket isn't just somewhere you pop in to grab soy sauce and head home. For many shoppersit's a whole event. With locations across a handful of U.S. statesincluding CaliforniaTexasand Illinoisthe chain is known for combining a full-scale Japanese grocery store with a food court that draws lines well beyond lunchtime. Inside the storeyou'll find shelves stocked with Japanese pantry staplessuch as several miso varietiesregional soy saucescurry rouxand rice brands you don't normally find in typical American supermarkets. Fresh sections often include sushi-grade fishbentomochifresh bread baked on-siteand even everyday items like instant noodles or bottled tea are presented with far more choice than you'd expect.

The way Mitsuwa mirrors everyday food culture in Japan is part of the appealespecially with convenience-driven products you may find at a Japanese 7-Eleven (which is different from its American version). It's more of a marketplace experience rather than just another grocery store. You can find snacks along with freshhigh-quality vegetables and meat. For anyone curious about Japanese cooking and food trendsMitsuwa offers a version of that experience without needing an expensive plane ticket to get it.

Mitsuwa sets itself apart from large chain stores with its food courtserving items we can only dream Costco would add to its menu. Depending on the locationyou might find ramen stalls or stalls with traditional Japanese desserts alongside ice creamdonutsmacaroonsand boba tea that you can enjoy after shopping. Or you can come just to eat and then wander the aisles after you've had your fill.

There are several Japanese groceries to shop for at H Mart and similar pan-Asian grocery storesbut Mitsuwa is special for its specific focus on Japanese productsbrandsand culture. Because of thisit attracts anyone from Japanese expats looking for familiar ingredients to non-Japanese customers who discovered it through the food court or social media hype. And while prices can be higher than mainstream supermarkets (because many of the items are imported)it's a fair trade for the authentic and fun experience it provides.