I love Tokyo central. As a Japanese American who lived 45 minutes from a Japanese supermarket all her life, I wish I lived next door to just go everyday. It is my Disneyland. So many aisles, so many snacks, decent selection of alcohol, and so much food. Also the shampoos are the cheapest Japanese shampoos I've seen in the area. I go early morning so it's never crowded and I love the festive vibe I get from the snack section. They have everything from raw fish, meats, to cooked and prepared foods. Everything you'd want for a Japanese recipe lives in Tokyo central, so have a visit! read more

I can always find all the Japanese groceries I need here and they have a great selection of ready to eat food. Sushi is decent here but I prefer the quality of mitsuwa read more

Interesting variety of Asian foods, kind of amazing how many treats and snacks are available and apparently popular! Went there to pick up natto, which I only recently discovered, and was overwhelmed with the number of brand choices. Since I don't read Japanese, I don't know which brands I did buy, but so far I've enjoyed them all! read more

I had such a great experience here that I just had to write a review ASAP. Their Hawaiian style Poke Bowl was so delicious and fresh. It tasted like a high end restaurant but was half the price. I paired it with seaweed and a Hello Kitty Apple Juice and I was in heaven. The apple juice was sweet and the portion wasn't too much. I ate my meal at the little tables they had next to the registers. The workers were friendly and even the customers were friendly to me as well. Love Tokyo Central! read more

Tokyo Central - Costa Mesa - Hawaiian Style Poke Bowl, Seaweed, Hello Kitty Apple Juice - International Grocery Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I read the tiny-print label on each of the sushi, sashimi, and rolls that I bought. They all have High Fructose Corn Syrup in them. So much for being healthy. read more

Love coming here for lunch or dinner. Their prepared food section is always so fresh and plentiful. Their overall shop is nice as well. Reminds me of Mitsuwa with a little more variety! Definitely worth coming here. The only con is the parking can be tough during those peek hours. read more

Tokyo Central - Costa Mesa - Niku udon in the refrigerated section. Just microwave it and it becomes a soup! - International Grocery Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Very cool store, we always drove by and seen it when going to Bookoff, n recently decided to go in and the store is great there's a lot of cool stuff and great food, also prepped food is great. read more

I've been here a handful of times, and it's just the perfect place to diversify your home and cooking goods. Tokyo Central has just as many products as a mainstream grocery store; they have fresh pre-made food, meats, bakery, home goods, alcohol, spices, and more. My roommate and girlfriend are Japanese, so they showed me all of their favorite items in the store and translated some of the labels for me, which was very helpful in breaking down what was best for me. Some items that are my favorite here are the green packs of furikake, Golden Curry, Mabo Tofu packets, Frozen Gyoza is a must, Sushi Grade salmon, kewpie mayo, Okonomiyaki packets, Pocari Sweat, rice crackers and Pure Potato Chips. I recommend leaving your comfort zone to shop here and buying new foods or items you have never bought before. read more

This is the best grab and go sushi selection around. The hot bar is also very impressive and fresh. I appreciate the sitting area to the front of the store near the cash register because it makes for a great place to grab lunch. My only issue is that I grabbed a random bag of chips today and it wasn't until I looked at my receipt that I realized I paid $11.99 for them ! read more

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I love coming here and wandering through all the aisles and for their prepared food, particularly their rainbow poke bowl.

I was craving JBBQ and didn't feel like going to a restaurant. What better way to enjoy a good meal than in the comforts of your home? We went to Tokyo Central to buy meat but found ourselves trying their Toro sushi and new drinks. There are sales after a certain time, some time in the evening. I love all the cool snacks and foods that are hard to find in American supermarkets. It's also just fun to look around and pick up anything you want to try! read more

Love the wide selection of food here! The store is well maintained, clean, and organized. Workers are courteous. Tokyo Central has affordable grab-and-go hot bar food and cold food! Their premade raw seafood dishes are fair quality and good enough for a quick bite or meal. Also, there's no longer any need to hoard Hawaiian snacks back from Hawaii, because Tokyo Central stocks soo many of them. The only downside is the parking lot. It's a busy plaza with tight parking spaces that face multiple directions. read more

Tokyo Central - Costa Mesa - Salmon sushi from the cold grab-and-go section - International Grocery Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

"Tokyo Central is the ultimate one-stop destination for your premium grocery and lifestyle needs." This statement can be found on the Tokyo Central website and I tend to agree with it. My first time visiting I was blown away by their product variety and selection. They offer everything from food, health products, cosmetics, home furnishings, electric appliances, stationery, clothing to pottery and so much more! At the Costa Mesa location which is located in a shopping center at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Baker Street, they even serve a hot buffet, bento boxes, donburi bowls, sushi and sashimi, ramen and Japanese sweets...so oishi! Note that parking can be hard to come by, especially on weekends. If they had a location closer to home, I would definitely think twice about shopping at other ethnic markets like Mitsuwa and 99 Ranch. I highly recommend a visit, so check it check it out! read more

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Great & various products, Fresh fish (sashimi), sushi, and hot food! Items from Hawaii from saimin, juices, candy, and crackers!

great place to shop and find some good Japanese eats. very reasonably price and has a table/microwave area to heat up a lunch pack which can range from $7.99 to $17.99 depending. all the staff were lovely and friendly. I would highly recommend this place! read more

i imagine most everyone that lives in costa mesa that would be reading this review already knows about and loves tokyo central, so i'd like to take this opportunity to share my love for something they make that is becoming harder and harder to find in orange county -- oden it's 10am on a gloomy sunday, with a light rain on horizon. i'm sitting here in their dining area just beyond the cash registers, watching a happy couple win something for their very lucky daughter at one of these godforsaken claw machines. in front of me is a little black plastic container of their winter hot bar special tonkotsu oden -- filled to the top with radishes and fish cakes; to my side, a spoon, chop sticks, and a small packet of wasabi i cannot tell you how perfect this is, on a cold winter's day. for the uninitiated, oden is a japanese stew, made up of whatever people want i guess (this is my first time having one with a tonkotsu base). i'm not japanese but i've always been under the impression it -- like many other stews -- is peasant food, since i've really only ever seen it at 7-11s or lawsons in japan and it's dirt cheap to buy even so, it's one of my favorite things to get and is one of those dishes, like mole, that i will order any time i see it on a menu, just to try it. however very much unlike mole, oden is almost always universally delicious, and the one they make here is no exception the oden was ready at about 10am and they closed off the area altogether to restock everything at 1015 so there is kind of a sweet spot to get it piping hot otherwise, thank you for all the wonderful sashimi, rice balls, ramen, takoyaki, croquettes, ... just everything throughout the years! best grocery store in orange county, hands down gochisousamadeshita! read more

Favorite grocery store. My wife always loves to take photos of those plushies. There's also makeup and skincare for purchase here. I like coming to their lunch buffet to get delicious goodies. There's always a sale so it's good to come often. Plenty of parking in the front but since it is popular it tends to be crowded. Good service and friendly atmosphere. read more

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This is one of my favorite stores! You can easily spend an hour here. Whenever I miss Japan, I come here for all my favorite snacks! They have hot foods (ready to eat), a great sashimi bar (where u can order pre-cut slices to take home for handroll nights!), the best wasabi options, and everything you need for an authentic Japanese meal. Rumor has it they are opening one on Culver in Irvine. I certainly hope so! read more

Extremely noisy and crowded sometimes. The meat section often runs out of stock quickly. It takes a while to restock, and if you are unlucky, there is not much left during busy times. The pricing is a bit tricky and deceiving; sometimes. Pricing poses a subtle challenge, occasionally misleading with tags failing to align with the cashier machine. Discounts promised on tags may vanish at the checkout, leaving you feeling shortchanged. Craftily designed, the price tags, especially in the sake section, create an illusion of savings, often matching standard prices elsewhere. The display and the way they present their products look messy, but it's organized and fun. Packagings are petite, offering diversity even for smaller households. My trust in their sashimi bar remains shaky after the parasite scare, though I occasionally indulge in their seafood for home cooking. Their sushi roll items are pretty interesting; some of them tasted pretty good The sushi rolls, adorned with myriad sauces, mask any potential quality concerns. They masterfully play with textures, akin to the sushi rolls served in some California sushi roll restaurants. You have to keep an eye on the cashier/receipt; sometimes ghost items or items from other customers will become yours. The service is friendly, especially by the managers. If you are lucky, they'll pack all your groceries even when you bring your own bags, about 85% of the time. Despite the deceiving price tags, I still love wandering around this place. You will find surprising imported products here and there. The price range is mediocre; some products look cheap because they come in small packages, but in times of inflation like this, they are not overpriced. It's like shopping in the grocery Disneyland. read more

Whenever I'm craving sashimi, I always go to Tokyo Central. Instead of buying the sliced sashimi, I get a portion slab of fish in the back of the store and slice it myself at home. Salmon and yellowtail are my favorite. Kizami wasabi (blend of grated Japanese wasabi and horseradish marinated in soy sauce/other seasonings) is also a must. read more

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I've gone to the 3 other Japanese markets in the area and this one has got to be my favorite and most well organized with ALOT of things in there, the place is well put together. They have so many Hawaiian things and of course I always have to grab my Portuguese sausage, Hawaiian suns, and zippys chili. The price of the Hawaiian suns you WILL NOT find anywhere else , it's a steal. The zippys chili is over priced but if you are craving and missing home you'll have to bite it and pay :') The meat quality there is top tier, definitely the best out of all Asian markets in OC. Service is never an issue , the lines are never long and they always have a good amount of employees at the cashier. read more

Whoever that runs the prepared food court at this location needs to be in charge of all Tokyo Central food courts. We normally go to the Gardena location, but their food is seriously meh. Of course, there's nothing gourmet about the Costa Mesa location, but everything seems to be prepared well. This time, we went for the prepared dishes that is sold by the pound. All the fried items were especially crisp and tasty, but our fav was the tatsuta-age. It was drenched in a sticky sweet sauce that really goes well with rice. The brussel sprouts were nothing special, but the green beans were well seasoned and tasty. Another favorite was the teriyaki short ribs. Sticky, sweet, and savory, we devoured it as if it was a tiny scoop of ice cream As mentioned, there was nothing gourmet about the experience, but we went home very satisfied. Recommended! read more

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My favorite place for a quick meal. You can pop in a grab a quick sushi box or a hot meal from the kitchen area. The tuna nigiri is delicious and not fishy smelling at all. Just look at my photo. Its beautiful. read more

Tokyo Central - Costa Mesa - International Grocery Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Love coming here with my husband and the little ones. We always have a fun time grocery shopping g with all the delicious foods, snacks, self care products and fun plushies and stuffed animals and it's always nice to get some already hot and cold foods to go as well! Some of our favorite already ready foods include onigiris, curry rice plates, sushi and desserts. We also love stocking up on Yakult and big bottled teas! I love coming here for my ceremonial matcha tea powder, ramen and soba noodles, Japanese curry and sometimes I will look for fresh uni I can bring home- so delicious! My husband loves getting eel and we also love to get wagyu once in a while along with a bottle of alcohol we can enjoy. The kids love pretty much alllll the snacks here so our cart always ends up so full! Once in a while, I'll check our the self care and health products and get a box of face or feet masks or some lotions and soaps. I enjoy trying new products every time. I love that they have fun claw machines and offer free ice once you're done shopping. Everyone is always so friendly too. We usually come once a week because we're obsessed with the Japanese style bread and Yakult! read more

Decent Tokyo Central location with lots of parking in the plaza. I liked the decor and area that they have their cosmetics and cute merchandise items in (plushies, souvenirs, and knick knacks). Extensive refrigerated foods section and I have seen items in their deli/sushi bento area that I have not seen at my local Tokyo Central section. This included some pasta dishes and some of the traditional Japanese sweets (different mochi and daifuku types). There's a dining area in front and I think they have the same ramen restaurant in their mini food court as the West Covina one but unsure if it's still open. Solid place to go get some snacks or Japanese groceries if you're in the area and don't wanna deal with fisted Mitsuwa parking. read more

Variety is good and the pricing is fair. I've been shopping there for 7+ years, and honestly it's been my go-to place. The staff are generally nice. I'd love to see more improvements in food court. read more

the best part about adopting another location for my work is being close to TC. i got during lunch, pick up lunch plus extras and leave happy. the food at the "salad" bar and deli is amazing! $11.99 per pound and you get to pick what you like and the portions. I also usually pick a torpedo for breakfast the next day. will be back. read more

Today I had a horrible experience at the store. It was a shame because it used to be my favorite. After I pay for the grocery today, I couldn't find my car key. So I took my whole shopping bag and my purse walking so many rounds in the supermarket. Hoping I can find my car key so I can go home. Today is Thanksgiving 2024 All of a sudden, a tall, strong man yelled at me. "Receipt" he shouted . I looked up, realizing he was a security guard. Without waiting for my answer, he kept yelling at me in front of all the crowds in the store." SHOW ME THE RECEIPT ".. Then i told him, I was looking for my lost car keys. He didn't listen, instead, he kept shouting at me. Finally I led him to the cashier I paid at. The lady quietly nodded to signal that I paid. This is the biggest insult I ever encountered in my whole life. It's very very traumatic and disheartening . When I was being respected on all areas, in this supermarket, I was taken as a thief, when I clearly paid and lost my key in this chaotic supermarket . Hours later, I was still looking for the key, then I show the receipt to the security guard, he said OK, and he tried to brush it off nonchalantly as if he forgave me ( excuse me ???) When I asked the service desk, if they had a camera, or the footage I can look for my car key, they told me, are you sure it's not in your car,? They questioned me, as if I were the problem. There is no humanity whatsoever here, in this store, before this grateful Thanksgiving holiday. In the future, I urge you my friend, stop coming here. Their neighbor "Saiwa Japanese Market", has a way better service,display , even food selection. Their meat is 20% off every single Friday. The people working there, are always kind to everyone , They are very gentle and humble and helpful. They never let me question my existence, or my decision of life, Why am I here in this store today? Saiwa makes me happy , secure, safe, and peaceful. It's not just a shopping for food , this is our life,, When you trust and rely on a supermarket, and they they reward you with condescending attitude which traumatize you on the Thanksgiving evening .. None the nutrition can make up for it. read more

Tokyo Central - Costa Mesa - The " RECEIPT" - International Grocery Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Very clean store! I always stop by for the hot food which is 10.99 per lb and grab some prepared sushi right next to it. Love that it is self service so you can pick out exactly what you want and that they have tables there for you to sit and enjoy right away if you want. I always grab a green tea from the drink area of the market before checking out! read more

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Insanely busy on a Saturday. It was my first time at this location. I have to say that I prefer the Covina store. It seems like everything is packed so tightly into this store. Layout is nicer in Covina & prices are higher at this location! But we were able to find what we were looking for. read more

There are many cooked food, fresh vegetable, and Japanese snacks. It is very comfortable for students who do not have enough time to cook themselves. (I hope the market sell more Korean product like snacks, soy source, and so on.) Next, this market has good security guards and staffs. They are always kind and keep clean the place. In short, The reasons are why I usually go to this market except class day. read more

First time to come to this store and it was a great experience. It's a grocery store. The sell all kinds of Japanese products/produce like. Fresh fish, Cook food, snacks , Asian vegetables etc.. what I love with this place was their ready to eat Japanese foods like sushi, poke , ramen,sandwiches etc.. it was kinda overwhelming for me to choose which one to buy because they all look delicious. Oh they also have hot food which they sell per pound. I decided to get blue fin tuna bowl , shumai with shrimp and spicy chili and shrimp tempura. Blue fin bowl was good . It doesn't taste fishy and it was fresh. It was delicious. The shumai and tempura were also good. Service at the cashier was courteous and efficient. Price? It was affordable from what you get. I would come back. read more

Tokyo Central - Costa Mesa - Potato chips and lychee gummies - International Grocery Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This place is very nice They have a bunch of food and snacks that are very good. They have a bunch of hello Kitty things. And a really section of beauty products I do recommend this place and it's also nearby a book off. read more

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Security guard at entrance was quite rude to me and my wife. Despite that, it was similar to the Tokyo central in Covina. read more

Tokyo Central - Costa Mesa - Drinks at check out. - International Grocery Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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What's not to love about this grocery store??? I LOVE coming here. They have a wide variety of Japanese grocery items and tchotchkes. What's great about this grocery is the ready to eat hot and cold items such as: sushi, tempura, fruit, sandwiches and so so so much more. The ready to eat items taste great. I do recommend coming around lunchtime as the selection is more abundant, but there is a discount if you purchase the ready to eat items after 6 or 7pm. I forgot, but there are signs in the store. lol If you are craving Japanese BBQ meat, Shabu Shabu or seafood, they have everything here for you. It really is a great spot to shop and get all your snacks and treats. Thank you Tokyo Central for the yummy food! read more

This place always amazes me. This is my second review. The food is always fresh and delicious. The service is unbelievable. I asked the lady about the sliders and it wasn't their time. She did an amazing job and gave me four delicious sliders and well it was time to check out and since everyone knows it's against the law to use plastic bags and all they have now is paper bags and they are bad Lindsey they tear in a second, but once again this establishment is different. It's awesome. They think of things for you as a consumer so they had doubled every paperback but no extra costing. Thank you Tokyo Central you are awesome. You are the best and believe me, I tell all my friends and buddies and everyone what I mean about your place thank you again. read more

Whether you want a place for authentic sushi, Japan-imported goods/snacks/drinks, or even just a regular grocery store - Tokyo Central has it all. It really feels like a "Japanese Trader Joe's" with how good of discounts they give compared to Mitsuwa, and coffee prices that are about half of what you pay at any other store barring Costco. Highly recommend it, even just to check it out - it's an outing and a fun experience. read more

I love shopping at this store. There's a lot of variety of snacks and imported Japanese products. The pricing tends to be cheaper than other Japanese import stores in the area. I really love the selection of sushi and ready to eat foods. The store can be a little disorganized but that's not uncommon for an Asian supermarket. Parking can be really difficult on weekends so be prepared to fight for a spot. read more

We don't do much grocery shopping here, but their cooked food and sushi are pretty good at reasonable prices. However, the checkout lines are not organized well and can get messy at busy times such as lunch hour. Thankfully, most fellow customers are pretty courteous, so the experience is still OK. read more

Tokyo Central. Our favorite here are the Bento Boxes. Who says cheap eats cannot be delicious? Try it! I vouch for the Wafu Karaage Bento! How much yummmm can you get for $8.99? It has Karaage, salmon, Rice... filling and tasty! You can dine in or take it with you. They'd give you chopsticks, Wasabi, soy sauce, ginger if you request it. Employees are really nice and courteous. Parking gets pretty crazy especially during weekends but it is a popular Asian supermarket. @socalweekendwalkaroundals Check out my you tube short on this topic https://youtube.com/shorts/M1x6Z6vCQIU?feature=share read more

Tokyo Central - Costa Mesa - Wafu Karaage Bento. Yelpers! Try this!!!!!! - International Grocery Near Me - Costa Mesa, California