“ Best Japanese market! I get so excited coming here! They have great little ready foods too! Everything you could need is here. Parking in the back is easy as well! ”

“ Marukai is a supermarket specializing in a wide selection of Japanese fresh and frozen foods, snacks, cosmetics, clothing, and much more. They have a huge selection of prepared bento and sushi offerings. Their liquor department stocks a wide variety of sake and Japanese sourced beers. Marukai's selections of seasonings, sauces, dried mushrooms, seaweed, as well as pickled items, and so many other staples is amazing. I shopped here to get some special Japanese chocolates for a friend and left with much more than I came in for. ”

“ It's amazing that after all these years, Marukai is still around. They call this "Tokyo Central" in other parts but they're all owned by Don Quixote in Japan, I was told. This particular store is interesting because it has a few items rarely found at other Japanese markets in SoCal. It's also reasonably priced for the area with frequent sales. Anyway, we found some Hokkaido apple pie and Almond Milk Pocky in addition to some cheaper stir fry meat and veggies. The store itself is a little tricky parking-wise and the interior is sort of a bargain market. It really does resemble a Don Quixote market in Japan. ”

“ Let's face it, Asian markets on the West side are overpriced. For me I look at product availability, selection, service and convenience. Service here is great. Parking is limited with very small spots but more available with Party City now closed. There's a simple, helpful store directory in front of the entrance. Though a small store, there's a lot in here. I like buying their premade meals and vegetables and herbs only found at Asian markets. Produce and fresh meat/fish are expensive. For the store size, the non-food items, t-shirts, cute socks, skincare products, shopping bags and other knick knacks is large but expensive. Some small bowls are priced well. This store's location is most convenient for me. One big reason though I like Westwood's 99 Ranch better is bottled products are also labeled in English, so easier, quicker shopping. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 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. ”