Tokyo Central

So, I've been a huge fan of Mitsuwa for years, but boy did I have a mind-blowing experience at Tokyo Central recently. I gotta admit, I never gave it much of a chance before, but wow, I was blown away by the amount of food they offer for such a great price.

I was actually on the hunt for a specific car air freshener - the CS-X3 "Blue Squash" flavor - and heard that they stocked it. But once I stepped inside, I couldn't resist taking a peek at their packaged lunches and bento boxes. I'm a sucker for meals that are $10 or less so I was glad that I had so many selections to choose from. I'll be back during lunch time to check out their lunch buffet and maybe do some shopping.

Tokyo central is in my top 3 Asian markets in Orange County. Formerly marukai, this place still caries a huge selection of different kinds of Japanese delectables. Love getting their fresh tuna and crab meat for making my “sushi”. Very conveniently located off harbor and baker.

A place chock-full of Japanese groceries and stuff! Unique flavors of candies, chips, and snacks you can't find in my neck of the woods! There's produce, fresh meats, rice, and more! Okay, I maybe shouldn't be this excited over a grocery store... it's just cool!

Lots of Japanese bentos options. The chirashi or nigiri sushi is always very fresh. There are also many cooked bentos as well. The staff and cashiers are friendly and helpful if you need help locating an item. Many Japanese snacks can be found here, it is always welled stocked. Occasionally, there are fairs featuring various Japan's regional products from Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kumamoto, Shizuoka, Izu, Kagoshima, etc. Parking can be a challenge especially on the weekends. Generally, Japanese products are cheaper here compared to Mitsuwa, Nijiya or Seiwa. If you are buying fresh fish and seafood, there's a self service ice kiosk at the exit across from the customer service counter. You can take a plastic bag and scoop some ice to keep your seafood fresh during transit. There is also a spacious seating area by the window between the 2 entrances, so you could warm up your bento using the microwave and eat there. It can be a bit noisy on the weekends but the eating area is clean.

Pros:
1. Tokyo Central Market offers an extensive selection of the freshest seafood, making it a paradise for seafood lovers who crave the best quality sashimi and sushi.
2. The market's diverse range of similar Don Quijote items provides a unique shopping experience
3. Being a prominent attraction around Irvine, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant local food scene and experience authentic Japanese flavors.

Cons:
1. The location of Costa Mesa might be inconvenient for those who don't have access to a car
2. Due to the vast size and layout of the market, finding specific stops or stalls may prove challenging
3. The difficulty in finding desired items may hinder the overall shopping experience at first.

Sure! Here's a review for a Japanese supermarket:

"I recently visited a Japanese supermarket and I was blown away by the variety of products they had. From fresh produce to unique snacks and beverages, this supermarket had everything I needed to satisfy my cravings for Japanese cuisine.

The quality of the products was outstanding. The fruits and vegetables were fresh and vibrant, and the seafood selection was impressive. I was able to find ingredients that are not easily available in regular supermarkets, which was a pleasant surprise.

The store was well-organized and clean, making it easy to navigate through the aisles. The staff members were friendly and helpful, willing to assist customers with any questions or inquiries

I was referred to Tokyo Central by my hair stylist. She said there was some really cool Japanese hair products here. She was soooo right. I fell in love with this store as soon as I arrived.

Lots of cool hair products that I used to buy online and get shipped from Japan. But now I can buy it here. Lots of Japanese snacks and drinks. I found Hawaiian products too. Great prices too.

They also have a food court where I can box my own food and pay by weight. There's sushi and little rolls. Lots of "choose your own" food and then just pay at the register. There's little tables to sit at and eat. They even have little claw machine games for the kids. Everyone is friendly and courteous. It's just how I imagine shopping in Japan would be.

I've been here 5 times in the past 2 weeks. I just love all the goodies they have. My kids said they if they could live in this store they would.

I love this place! Fresh premade sushi or sushi by the block, its delicious. The snacks and warm buffet for lunch. Its making me hungry just thinking about it. Only problem is I buy everything I See and spend way too much money every time.

My favorite Japanese market to shop at because it’s easy to find stuff, reasonably priced, and has the friendliest staff you’ll meet. NOT the most extensive hot food offerings that you’ll find in similar markets in Irvine but a great place to stock up on the things that remind you of your favorite trip to Japan.

I love coming to Tokyo Central and consider myself to be a regular now. The employees are always so kind and friendly, and the food is amazing. Bathrooms are always clean.

The lunch buffet and ready to eat items are always excellent and decently priced. I highly recommend shopping here.

Amazing supermarket full of Japanese imported foods and snacks. Having lived in Japan for a year, coming here was truly a nostalgic experience. Literally everything is imported from Japan except the fresh food. The food counters were great! So many onigiris and even a Japanese style pudding. Not super authentic but the flavor is almost there.

Japanese skincare and hair care is marked up heavily but it’s still okay. Asian products made fo’ asian peeps!

Great prepared food selection and fun candy and snacks. It's not where I'd shop for fruit but it's a good place to source Japanese ingredients.

If you're a fan of Japanese snacks and goodies, Tokyo Central is a dream come true. They have a wide range of snack and candy options that will leave you spoiled for choice. What's even better is their dedicated section for Hawaiian products, adding a tropical twist to your shopping experience. Don't miss out on their must-buy item, the mochi waffle mix.

I’ve only been here twice but I love it so far! They have a huge variety of food, and a large take-out food section that’s filled with sushi, bentos, and sweets. I got some of their hot vegetable croquettes and they were delicious with katsu sauce. During peak shopping times the store can definitely feel crowded, especially in the to-go area because people come here to grab lunch. I would say the store feels more cramped compared to Mitsuwa, but if you’re in the mood for good Japanese food/snacks, it’s worth a stop!

It's a great place to pick up stir-fry meat, high-quality sushi, and tonkatsu ramen. Personally I like to hit the deli to pick up a roll for lunch, which varies from 6-19 dollars. In addition, the staff are super friendly and the store is always clean and well-stocked.

Great fresh fish! Made a sushi dinner for 10 ppl, spent about 150$... We got everything.. Rice, Tuna, Yellowtail, Shrimp, Smoked Salmon, Scallops, Soy Paper, ect. Amazing quality and prices!

Slightly larger than the Yorba Linda location. Fresh everything. Sashimi platters, daily lunch, dinner. My favorite Japan imports including water from Mt Fuji.

It’s our family favorite former Marukai from Honolulu. Always fresh food, fresh veggies, good eclairs & flan, specially everything is the best for us to prepare sashimi lunch quite often. And the price is very affordable comparing with other Japanese markets around the area

Yoooo, this place is so good! They have all the snacks you could ever want and a sushi bar which is really cool. I got this stuffed Inari there that was absolutely delightful and filling!!!

They have a wide selection of ready to eat bento boxes plus snacks. Their Coconut Pudding is the best I've eaten. The food is good and so are the prices.