Sometimes, even in London, finding and buying authentic Japanese food besides sushi is a bit challenging. Then when you do find them, they may be extremely expensive. Thankfully, several specialty markets offer a varied selection of Japanese supplies at reasonable prices. The following article details the best and most affordable places to buy Japanese groceries in London.
Central London Japanese Groceries
Although it’s not the cheapest location to find your mirin and dashi, there are still quite a few choices.
If you’re in Soho, make sure to stop by this small but unique store. It has all the basics as well as essentials that you will need. The prices aren’t bad with the bonus of being able to find all that you need in one location as well as alternative shops nearby. On top of an ideal location to buy sake, one can also find nihonshu or Japanese rice wine. You can also find shochu. The following is a list of things you are sure to find there: imported rice, miso, tofu, katsuobushi, dashi, noodles, curry, burdock root, edamame, Takoyaki mix, kewpie mayonnaise, sauces, frozen korokke, frozen meat, tsukemono, snacks, and sweets.
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Very close to Leicester Square, Japan Centre qualifies as London’s ritziest supermarket. They have a wide variety of high-end grocery supplies. If you just need a few ingredients at the last minute, it would be the perfect place. However, keep in mind that it is expensive. If you enjoy fresh fish that’s also sushi-grade, then this is the place for you at their frozen fish counter. The best part of this supermarket is the canteen section that offers freshly made food with the ability to dine-in. In this case the bill comes to much less than a traditional Japanese restaurant.
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3. Atariya – West Acton and Elsewhere
Visiting Atariya might make you feel that you’re located in a Tokyo neighborhood shopping for Japanese groceries. They also have multiple locations located in Kingston, Finchley, and Golders Green. They all stock similar items with several Japanese staples and unique vegetables that might be hard to find. Atariya is definitely one of the best Japanese grocery stores in London.
The biggest positive part of the store is the fish counter. The staff behind the fish counter can provide you with almost any kind of fish you need for your Japanese meal. Ranging from sushi-grade fish to sashimi to octopus, sea urchins, caviar, and dried fish. They also provide sushi-grade fish to many of the sushi restaurants in town. There’s also the option of ordering their in-house sushi to take home or eat at one of their many locations. The price for their sushi is also quite reasonable. They also have a selection of premium beef.
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4. Ichiba – Sheperd’s Bush and Stratford
Considered Europe’s largest Japanese food hall, Ichiba has a large dining area and a wide-range of groceries to choose from. The owners of Japan Centre also operate Ichiba. As one would expect, the range of goods are steeply priced. However, if you happen to be stopping by the Westfield in Sheperd’s Bush or Stratford, you can pop in for some food. If you plan to go during your lunch break, the prices are certainly more affordable. You might even run into some options not commonly found in the UK such as Takoyaki. The style of the dining hall is similar to a cafeteria in addition to counter service. There are many options to choose from. Instead of ramen, sample the soba, okonomiyaki, and yakisoba since they are much better than their average quality ramen.
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5. Loon Fung Chinese Supermarket – Soho
If you live in Soho or are just stopping by you can check out this location for Chinese and Japanese products. They also have locations in Tottenham, Stratford Alperton, and Colindale. For products such as miso, tofu, and gyoza skins, they have competitive prices. The fish and meat counters are more targeted to the Chinese crowd. However, some of the ingredients can be used in Japanese dishes as well. There are specific cuts of meat and offal used for yakitori or yakiton dishes that are chicken or pork on a skewer.
Loon Fung is also a great place for buying Asian vegetables. If you’re looking for bamboo shoots, napa cabbage, burdock root, Asian mushrooms like shiitake and enoki, then you’re at the right place. If you need the kitchen goods to prepare the food in, they have woks and bamboo steamers at very affordable prices. There are also a range of Japanese snacks and sweets.
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Just across the street from Loon Fung stands New Loon Moon. If you can’t find a product in one location then you can check the other. They are one of the favorites of Chinatown stocking treats from China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Korea. If you go up to the first floor of New Loon Moon, you’ll find a limited selection of Japanese cooking supplies and roux blocks. A selection of the vegetables and spices available can be used in Japanese cuisine. In addition, they stock a range of ramen with unique brands from Japan and other parts of Asia.
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Although this supermarket mainly stocks Korean food, even those ramdon noodles you might have seen in the movie Parasite, there are still some options available for Japanese dishes. For example, they have a range of sauces, roux, condiments, etc. In the frozen meat and fish section, you can find options that would work for Korean and Japanese cuisine.
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8. HIS Japan Premium Food and Travel – Soho
A relatively new store that opened up its doors in 2021, its whimsical design presents an uplifting environment for shoppers in its central location. A bonus to your standard shopping options, inside you can find a travel agency for flights, hotels, and rail passes in Japan.
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If you’re looking for a location where the local Japanese community goes, then Acton is where you want to shop. The building is functional and doesn’t provide ambience for its shoppers. However, the prices are much more reasonable, and you can buy items in bulk. This location also provides parking which would allow shoppers to buy large quantities and easily transport them home.
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10. Natural Natural – Ealing and Finchley
In addition to providing Japanese products, Natural Natural also stocks organic food. While their prices aren’t cheap they still offer great deals. They also have a sakesakana store with a fish market similar to Atariya, although it focuses on organic quality items.
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11. H-Mart – New Malden and Oseyo
New Malden is one of the largest Korean neighborhoods in Europe with several shops and businesses catering to this population. There large location provides a huge selection of Korean goods as well as Japanese products. Some products can be used in both cultures. Their Oseyo store is closer to the center of London.
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12. Purchasing Japanese Groceries Online
If you don’t want to go to a particular location in person, then you can always choose to buy Japanese products online. Most of the shops mentioned above also deliver online, however there are few with online-only options. Oriental Mart and Bokksu are one of those options offering Asian products and Japanese snack box subscriptions, respectively.