#marukai

Sake aisle at Marukai, Gardena

Tokyo Central used to be called Marukai and it was started in Hawaii. I’m trying to go to all their locations. The one in Yorba Linda isn’t as big as the one in Gardena but it is larger than the one in Torrance. It’s the size of the one in West Covina – a full size supermarket with an in-store bakery, extensive deli/prepared foods section, snacks, drinks, sauces, seaweed, rice, noodles, frozen food, dairy, produce, ice cream, etc. There is no food court but they have a nice dining area towards the front.

The deli section included rice balls, sandwiches, ramen, poke bowls, sushi, Japanese curry, gyudon (beef bowls), bento meals, pasta, udon, and more – all reasonably priced. But if you come in the evening, there isn’t much left.

In the bakery area, they had Mammoth Bakery buns, bread, and more, plus fresh mochi. Their in-store bakery makes croissants, Japanese cheesecakes, muffins, and more.

My picks:

Unagi bento ($12) with rice, omelette, pickles: Rich unagi covered in a savory, sweet sauce, very filling

Marukai tofu

Royal milk tea

Matcha white chocolate muffin: Baked in house, moist and a bit sweeter than I expected but good

The market was clean and organized. They have the cutest signs. There’s a sizeable Hawaiian section as well as Japanese housewares, beauty products, rice cookers, etc.

4.5 out of 5 stars.