Tokyo Central Irvine — Local services in Irvine

🛒 Tokyo Central Supermarket Review 🌍 A Cultural Window

In Irvine, visiting a supermarket is more than just shopping—it feels like stepping into another country’s cultural window. Mitsuwa represents Japan, H Mart represents Korea, and 99 Ranch represents China. Each supermarket showcases not only its products but also its cultural identity and way of treating customers. With that in mind, I usually expect Japanese supermarkets to feel organized, thoughtful, and service-oriented.

🏬 Store Environment

Tokyo Central gives a bright and clean impression overall, with relatively new shelves. The entrance leads to the produce section, then seafood and prepared foods, which feels reasonably arranged. However, the section signage is not very clear, making it confusing for first-time visitors.

🍱 Dining & Layout

Compared to Mitsuwa, Tokyo Central lacks a major attraction: a food court. There are no ramen shops or Japanese set meal spots, which takes away part of the excitement I usually expect in a Japanese market. The beverage and snack sections also feel a bit cluttered, with a “temporary setup” look. They don’t have the tidy, orderly presentation that Mitsuwa has.

🙋 Service Experience

I had higher expectations for service, but my experience was average: • Most staff members were not Japanese, so the “Japanese-style attentive service” wasn’t really there. • Near the cashier, there were only two small microwaves with some scattered chopsticks—this setup felt unprofessional. Compared to what you’d see in Mitsuwa or even Japanese supermarkets in Asia, it was underwhelming.

🚗 Parking Challenge

The parking lot at Tokyo Central is extremely crowded. It was very difficult to find a spot, which makes the overall shopping trip less appealing—especially when Mitsuwa next door offers a better experience.

📊 Overall Impression

Compared with its neighbor Mitsuwa, Tokyo Central doesn’t stand out enough: • Overlaps in product selection, without clear differentiation • No food court as a draw • Service and details need improvement • Parking is difficult, which discourages return visits

It’s fine for picking up some Japanese groceries if you’re nearby. But if I’m making a dedicated trip, I’d still prefer Mitsuwa.

Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) 👉 Clean environment but lacking特色 and polish; needs improvement in service and...

Cruel opening day. Elderly forced to wait in line 15+ minutes in the burning hot sun as the employees limit the number of people who can enter. 4pm~. Should have had 2 lines - one especially for the elderly, disabled, etc. Security just chuckles overhearing this point. So fair warning for anyone coming Sunday for the opening weekend and can't stand in the sun for 15+ minutes.

Watch out for the checkout lines, too!!! Saturday had 30+ minute lines that wrapped from the registers to the right (when looking into the store), along the wall to the back of the store. Again, no special lines for the elderly or disabled.

Prices can be great to absurd. Sale items are often a bargain whether in the produce section, drinks, snacks, etc. I highly recommend being a smart shopper and focus on mainly filling the cart with these because you'll soon come across absurdities like $64.99/lbs tuna or 4 squares of fried tofu for $5.22. Unless you've won the lottery.

The balance of items differs between this and the Costa Mesa branch. For example, smaller selection of medications in Irvine, but more cat / pet products. Doesn't come close to the much larger Gardena branch however.

Only saw boxed cooked foods, buffet still not up and running. $10.99/lbs when it starts, so watch what you buy. You can easily exceed the price of a Panda combo, with less food to eat.

Oddly, the $3.99 Italian subs were the best bargain...

We have been to Tokyo Center Costa Mesa before, and here it comes to Irvine! So wonderful, even we have Mitsuwa, H Mart and Ranch 99 here! For the authentic Japanese food and cuisines, Tokyo Center definitely will be a iconic benchmark. There are so many people waiting in the line which from the door entrance to the far away back of the building, it estimated that there were more than thousands people. the parking lot is packed, the store is packed, there are much more people than there were when the H Mart grand opening in Alton. So we don't believe it is good time to shop during the grand opening days, we have been there a few days before and definitely we will back in week days, let's wait and see, how it will booming in the prosperous Irvine area! The Daiko performance show is so impressive, that we will going to see their 30 years anniversary show in Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center on...