Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli — Attraction in Brookline

Growing up in Southern California, Asian markets and food courts were common and offered a ton of different cuisines. That is not the case in Boston.

There’s something, a feeling, so different ordering from a food court vs a restaurant. Yes there’s the fact you’re ordering from a counter vs having a server take your order, but goes beyond that. Food courts always make me feel so at home and comfortable and I think that’s reflecting in not only how many people are dining here, but the diversity in crowd. People coming here for a first date, to study, old friends catching up, kids coming after school for a strawberry matcha, and of course people coming for the food.

One area I must give maruichi a huge amount of credit for is delivering exceptional food for a reasonable price. In 2024 that is certainly the exception to the rule. While everyone out there is trying to raise the prices on basic pedestrian food, maruichi is bringing honor to us all.

Our favorite order are the made to order hand rolls. There are 3 “basic” rolls (spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, and salmon. Along with 3 “premium” roll offerings, but these are far from ordinary hand rolls. The rice is always cooked perfectly, generous portions of fish, and all of the additional components provide a complimentary harmony to the rolls.

Now here’s the best part. The basic rolls are $4 a piece… and there’s even a combo set for all 3 basic rolls for …$11.99!!!!! In this economy these prices and value are god send.

Everything else we’ve had from them is also exceptional. Seasonal kakigoris (these take a bit of time and can be precarious to hold, but boy are they yummy), korokke, and chicken wings to name a few.

Oh yeah and despite the frequent large crowds, every staff member from the people at the counter, folks making drinks, and even the people in the kitchen calling your name for your order have always been kind and gracious.

Thank you maruichi. This place deserves...

The place is a heaven to all sushi home “chefs” (possibly professional chefs, as well Japanese food cooks/lovers in general). Great selection of sashimi grade, spotless quality, high grade hard to find fish, plus all sort of sea creatures, seafood (made salads, sauces, marinated goods, sushi), Wagyu, Japanese vegetables, spices, sauces, frozen goods etc etc. Quite OK selection of rice, Nori, Kombu. Store has also kitchen supplies/cutlery section, big cosmetics section, plus liquor section - all Japanese of course. Extremely polite (as most Japanese) and super sweet manager lady, is always exceptionally helpful and eager to help. One of best things: they buy and butcher whole Bluefin Tuna (Honmaguro) - which is EXACTLY what you want,… and what makes them IMO #1 best source of it in entire Greater Boston. Buying whole fish shows they are serious. They not going to take any chances for being passed fake cuts (mislabeled (above 50% standard in industry) cheaper fish passed as more expensive), or cuts being chemically doctored. Even I did not asked, by look, smell, texture and quality of the fish alone, I can tell it was flash-frozen (which is again EXACTLY something you want) - otherwise, at this volume (Bluefin is few hundreds pounds which cannot be sold just in couple of days) it simply wouldn’t be always perfect. This takes care of parasite concern as well, contrary to popular belief, IMPROVES culinary quality and taste of the fish. It simply makes it better. Prices towards higher end, which is reasonable and to be expected IMO, with top quality and some goods being imported from the opposite side of the planet. I’m a bit of a sushi/sashimi nut (making my own). Really, really love the place. Love their products, love their stuff, love cleanliness and ambiance. STRONGLY, STRONGLY...

Coolidge Corner’s own little Japantown, this place is going to be a sensation. TL;DR: Definitely come for the wagyu ramen, and your fill of Japanese snacks.

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The Grocery Store & Deli You know a place is legit when all the ojiisans and obaasans are here shopping. You’ll no longer need to run to 88, or H Mart for your hot pot fixings; they sell produce, thinly sliced meat, and frozen WAGYU BEEF! The quality of the produce looks fresh y’all.

The Tea Shop It’s Gen Sou En? (Accept my old Gen Sou En reward points please?) It’s currently an abbreviated menu, but the hojicha tea latte and shrimp tempura onigiri are still on point.

Brooklyn Ramen This is going to give Ganko next door a serious run for its money. Counter service, with American wagyu beef ramen. I’d recommend the miso over the shio if you’re looking for a mouthful of flavor. The shio was a bit too simple in flavor, and the noodles wheaty. The wagyu was tender, but because of how thick it’s sliced you kinda need to gnaw through it. I’d love the option of having it sliced thinly to layer on top (like in pho).

The layout’s a little awkward right now (checkout’s in the center with lines wrapping around it, and seating is tight for the ramen & okonomiyaki shops), but I’m excited to see...