Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli — Attraction in Arlington

Agem of a store tucked away in the heart of Arlington, Maruichi, an authentic Japanese grocery store. Its rich assortment of products is a real boon for any fan of Japanese cuisine, offering a treasure trove of ingredients and delights to choose from. The selection here is incredible, not just for the sheer variety of items, but also for the seasonal items that give customers something new and fresh to look forward to.

Currently, they are highlighting an array of Matcha items, which are a must-try for any green tea aficionados. However, the highlight of my shopping experience was their impressive variety of Obento (packed lunch) and Onigiri (rice ball). There's something so comforting about being able to grab these convenient, wholesome meals-to-go.

Maruichi's selection extends well beyond food items, featuring an array of seasonings and condiments that are hard to find elsewhere. The Kewpie mayo they stock, a Japanese mayonnaise which is arguably the best in the world, is a must-have staple for any pantry. The store also carries a wide range of Furikake (rice sprinkles), perfect for adding that extra touch of flavor to your dishes.

It is worth noting that compared to its Brookline counterpart, the Arlington Maruichi is smaller. But don't let its size fool you - every nook and cranny of the store is thoughtfully utilized, ensuring a comprehensive product range. The store's layout and atmosphere exude a distinctly Japanese vibe, making it feel like you've stepped straight into Japan!

Overall, Maruichi in Arlington provides a wonderfully authentic shopping experience. Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur of Japanese cuisine or a curious newbie, this grocery store will offer a delightful culinary adventure. Despite its smaller size compared to other locations, the quality, variety, and authenticity make Maruichi a worthwhile visit for anyone seeking a little slice of Japan...

this place is equally tight and definitely smaller than the Brookline branch, but got all the basics: limited selections of fresh produce/meat, frozen items, sushi/pre-packaged fresh food, snacks, and dried goods.

ready-to-eat section has enough variety to choose from, sashimi quality is excellent. price is expectedly high given we're in a pandemic; just happy we even have the supply.

that said, $16 for couple spoonfuls of ikura (salmon roes)... it's hard to justify when a full-size noodle/rice bowl costs less. would rather that they split the portion in half so i don't feel as bad dropping just $8 even if for only one morsel.

same with the uni - the entire slab is $200!!!!! do people come here and grab the entire tray on a random Tuesday?? seriously wish that they had smaller portions at $20-40 range... unless they were sold out by lunch time.

all in all, still gonna return next time craving hits, especially that HMart in Burlington seems to not carry sashimi these day (that day? - I drove 20 minutes over for this as a result.)

parking is surely a great plus, with a small lot on the side of the shop. can't say how weekend traffic is like given it's right at the bustling town center, but going there during off hours, there were readily available spots on street and in lot, which definitely makes shopping there a lot...

A wonderful Japanese food store. They are not as large as Hmart, but they are much more focused on Japanese food items: frozen udon packs, frozen gyoza and other types of dumplings, dry instant ramen, spices and sauces, matcha and other tea, sweets, treats, and a fairly comprehensive refrigerated section for meats, natto, etc.

There's a variety of Japanese rice, which alone makes it worth the trip. Aside from Hmart, I don't know of another store that offers this many options for rice – sushi rice, unmilled rice, organic, etc. If you're not sure what type to get, knowledgeable staff will assist.

There's also some kitchen utensils, sushi and onigiri making tools, and other sundries.

Speaking of sushi and onigiri, these prepared foods are also provided, for reasonable prices. They are freshly prepared and I can say, it's some of the better sushi I've had. You can also get sushi-grade fish including salmon and tuna. The onigiri (rice balls wrapped in seaweed) are fresh and delicious.

Highly...