-
May 2024 by Jon Padilla
One of three great Japanese supermarkets in the area, with many products all the way from Japan, just for you and the family to enjoy a little bit of home here in the US. Recommend.
-
May 2024 by emtrat
The variety is so outstanding. The prices are also very affordable, but what makes Marukai a pleasure to shop is the friendly staff. They are always willing to answer any questions that you have. Amazing customer service. Thank you to the staff.
-
April 2024 by Eric Edelman
Great spot if you are looking for ingredients for Japanese recipes. Great variety of sashimi grade fish and meats. Also, has a fairly wide variety of prepared sushi rolls and other pre-made Japanese style lunch items. Great place to stop if you are in the area and need a quick/healthy lunch or snack. Most prepared food items are under $12.00 There is a "Hello Kitty" store on the same lot and a Japanese style home furnishings store as well. Very neat little corner of San Diego nestled again Highway 163 at Balboa Ave.
-
April 2024 by Gilbert
Great place
-
February 2024 by rachel d.
Great selection of snacks, food, fresh sashimi. It's like I'm shopping in Japan. Oh and don't forget to get a warm sweet potato
-
January 2024 by Taro Y.
Great service, good glossary store , find Japanese, Asian, some Hawaiian. I usually pick up Asian/Japanese produce food, seasonings, alcohol here. They have 3store in same area, 1. Supermarket for produce, meat , seafoods, snack, bento box and more. 2. Store with dry goods such as seasoning, condiments, alcohol, Japanese rice from Mainland Japan.Juice and beverage. 3. Cosmetics, hair styling spray, skincare products, Toys, plastic models, Sanrio toys and goods. Kitchen wear, Japanese shampoo conditioners , plates and rice bowl, misoshiru bowl, chopsticks, Ramen Bowls and so on. Please visit once. I found Sanrio Kuromi bath poncho
-
January 2024 by Wing Si C.
I can't believe this! Brought a pack of beef for Shabu Shabu yesterday. When I get to the bottom I realized they mixed some low grade beef. It was very thick and not edible. Will never shop here again.
-
December 2023 by Johnny F.
I am writing in regards to the absolute discrimination and embarrassing experience I had at this store. I want to start by saying my family has been long time customers of Marukai in Los Angeles and nothing of this nature has ever happened up there since I was a kid. I am also a world travelled very cultured person. I get along with everybody no matter the culture or creed. Just to give some insight. I am directing this review at this Balboa Ave location in San Diego and only there. Now I shop here daily. Usually just a quick 1 or 2 items....lately Pommelo because they are in season. Today I was shocked at what transpired. I was in line prepared to purchase 2 items and was told to come out of line from a manager named Jacob. He had a large smirk on his face, so large you could see it under the mask he wore that was falling off of his face. He literally said to me in a loud voice in front of many shoppers and employees that I was no longer allowed to shop there. Completely out of line not taking me aside. He then in front of multiple people claimed employees found me rude and that someone fitting my description had been complained about by a "female" shopper claimed she "thought" she was being followed by and made her "uncomfortable" I have never done a thing but ask people questions about food items and never had issues with any customer in these stores, so either this is a fabrication, a different person, or rooted in someone's massive paranoia. Then on to the claim of an employee saying I was rude. My father and I actually have had minor issues with one older female cashier that is quite mean during check outs, throwing the money basket down and being very short and mean.....maybe she does not like the way we look -or is just unhappy ....who knows....and I told her once last week she is mean and that she should be nicer. I have always been kind to every cashier at this store. These are complete lies and fabrications and my family is furious. We are suspending all shopping at Marukai stores, Tokyo Central etc as well as Informing all of our friends in the Japanese communities of San Diego. The unprofessional way the manager Jacob berated me in front of employees and customers loudly without any evidence and pure false allegations is concerning to the entire operation of Marukai down to food safety and overall operations as far as I'm concerned. I have video evidence of what he did. I see the owner responds to Yelp reviews. I expect to hear from her, as well as my father expects responses from Travis Scott the area a manager as well as the owner in regards to this experience. I will follow up this review.
-
December 2023 by Allan M.
We lived in Hawaii for a while and missed the Japanese and Hawaiian groceries from the stores on the island like Don Quijote. This store has most of the same items that we used to buy on the island including hard to find ichiran ramen kits, kocha milk tea, Aloha Shoyu and lilikoi drinks. The store is also very clean and well organized.
-
September 2023 by Sam
My favorite sour snacks are here and the cheapest soy sauce I’ve ever found. Also the staff here are very welcoming and friendly.
-
September 2023 by Monica Serena Nguyen
Cute Japanese grocery store with an amazing aesthetic, I love how they display their food with price tags that describe its flavor and how to best prepare or pair it! It has a diverse selection of meats that are pretty affordable, marinades, fresh produce, snacks, and even a section for already prepared dishes (curries, onigiri, sushi, katsu, rice plates). They also serve poke by the pound or made your way ~$12-15. Would definitely come back here again, easy parking lot and close by other Japanese stores that are fun to visit.
-
September 2023 by Irene Oshiro
This store is a dream come true place for Hello Kitty, and anime fans! Lots of fun stuff from pans, makeup, toys and dishes. All authentic Japanese brands. Had a great experience shopping here! Located right next to the market. Small parking lot right in front of store
-
August 2023 by Anessa C
The labels on the produce were very misleading. Ended up paying by the # which I misread. The premade sushi was made with sweet tasting rice, ruined the spicy tuna. The cashier was very attentive though. That was the saving grace for this place. The make your own poke station at 4:30pm was already closed. Not going there.
-
August 2023 by Paul Enriquez
Super cool! Love this place! They have awesome Gunpla and Japanese goods
-
August 2023 by Mayumi D
I only had a few minutes to run in and out when I stopped by. They were so fast and efficient n this part of Marukai which is one of the reasons I like this store. Add in that it’s mainly snacks and fun drinks and we could live there.!??? I would recommend this store to anyone
