Asahi Imports — Attraction in Austin

I have been going to Asahi for a very long time and frequent here for all of my staples as well as homemade onigiri, bento, weekend soft serve, strawberry daifuku on thursdays, and gifts as well. Coming to Asahi before dinner to pick up daikon or lotus for a meal, or enjoying soft serve on the weekend with a friend really cultivates something special and creates memories. It also cultivates similar feelings I've experienced while visiting Japan, and I'm sure it is a treasured place for anyone from Japan living away from home. Having someone make a nourishing and homemade meal for you is something incredibly special that gets lost in the fast paced environment of fast food. They also have rare snacks from regions like Kyoto that those of us living in Austin would not get to try if it weren't for Asahi. It really is a sacred place and one of my favorites in Austin.

I recently visited and learned that the tipping feature was taken off because people were complaining about tipping. This is so disheartening. It is heartbreaking that many people are so used to chain grocery stores and fast paced environments that they do not understand nor wish to understand where their food comes from, the journey it travels to reach us, and the effort that goes into our meals. Asahi has also made a tremendous impact on our community. They have hosted fundraisers, promoted literacy youth communities, and hosted entire fairs so that WE can learn more about Japanese culture and food.

As a consumer, you have the freedom to shop wherever you'd like. While not tipping in service industry is extremely ignorant on SO many levels, that is your choice as a consumer. There is no reason for an incredible small grocer doing so much for our community to take tipping away for your ignorance.

I really hope to see the tipping feature back at Asahi ASAP, so that the rest of us can show our appreciation and love where we can. We love...

Best Japanese place in town. Wide selection of packaged Japanese products you can't get elsewhere. Much of this stuff is actually from Japan. So if your looking for Japanese brands this is your best bet. After their recent expansion they have been dabbling in serving prepared food like sushi, rice balls and snacks. Batches are small and selection changes with the day of the week so hit it early.

While packaged stuff is ok their fresh selection of veggies is minimal at best. All meats and fish are in deep freeze frozen.

For those with msg issues watch out. It's in a lot of the packaged stuff.

Compared to other Asian markets they are a bit more expensive but the place is very clean, doesn't smell, the staff is very friendly and availing to help. They are also very strict about moving out expired stuff. They put it on a good sale.

I used to but think they had much there as it's not a huge place but I got a Japanese cookbook and went there to pick up the stuff I couldn't find the grocery store and with some help from the staff I found it all.

Update 12/2018 They have expanded. The core selection of products is the same but has a bit more depth. Naturally it evolves with the times. The staff is still always friendly and helpful.

More interesting is the additional of prepped foods. Onagiri rice balls most days. Bento boxes some days. Soft serve in summer. So you can get your goods and a snack.

Given that H-Mart and 99 Ranch are now in Austin is this place still relevant? Yes. It's the botique shop to those megamarts. There is some product overlap but this place still has stuff you can't...

I love this little store. The Japanese food in the freezer is as good as or better than you will get in any Japanese restaurant, at a fraction of the price. I also love the selection of teas, and the wonderful little things that come from Japan in the gift section. Most amazing of all, I can buy those incomparable Tsubaki hair products (shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in spray conditioner) right there in the store - I no longer have to wait for 3 weeks to get it from Japan through Amazon! THIS is awesome. And the price is the same as Amazon. As to the human touches: The people who run this store have that special quality of being calm, quiet, welcoming and helpful all at the same time. It's actually soothing to my nerves to be there! There is never a need to search the shelves looking for a particular thing, not being able to find it. Just ask! They will take you right to it.

I have been to many Asian markets, here and in Dallas. This one is the most pleasant and well stocked with genuine Japanese goods and foods, of any that I have ever visited. Here you will find all the special things from Japan that you would hope to find. It's an intangible thing, I suppose, but this store has a special charm and peacefulness that makes you want to linger. And I do,...