Where to Buy Japanese Ingredients in Vancouver

Whether you're craving homemade ramen, want to make proper miso soup, or just need Japanese rice that actually sticks right, Vancouver has some solid spots for Japanese ingredients. It's not as easy as finding Chinese or Korean groceries, but once you know where to look, you're set.

Dedicated Japanese Grocery Stores

Fujiya Japanese Foods — 912 Clark Dr, Vancouver

Fujiya is THE Japanese grocery store in Vancouver. It's been around since 1977. The selection is focused and curated — they carry what you actually need for Japanese cooking, not random filler. Fresh sashimi-grade fish (salmon, tuna, hamachi), Japanese rice, real dashi packets, mirin, sake for cooking, natto, every type of miso, and a great frozen section with gyoza, takoyaki, and Japanese curry blocks.

Key prices: Japanese short-grain rice (5kg) $16.99, Marukome miso (750g) $5.49, hon-mirin (500ml) $6.99

Located near Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain. Free parking lot. Open daily.

Izumiya Japanese Marketplace — 7971 Alderbridge Way, Richmond

Inside the Izumiya complex near Aberdeen. A mini-Japanese market with groceries, bento boxes, and some housewares. Smaller selection than Fujiya but good for Richmond residents who don't want to cross the bridge. Their ready-made bento and onigiri are legit.

Konbini-Ya — 1238 Robson St, Vancouver

A Japanese convenience store (konbini-style) on Robson. Small but they stock the essentials: onigiri, Japanese snacks, Cup Noodle varieties you can't find elsewhere, and drinks. Great for a quick Japanese snack fix, not for a full grocery haul.

Japanese Ingredients at Bigger Stores

T&T Supermarket (various locations)

T&T has a reasonable Japanese section — Japanese curry blocks (House, S&B), soy sauce (Kikkoman), rice, and basic sushi-making supplies. Not as specialized as Fujiya, but fine for everyday cooking. Their sashimi counter carries salmon and tuna, though Fujiya's quality is higher.

H Mart (Port Coquitlam, Richmond)

Korean-focused but carries many Japanese products — miso, dashi, Japanese noodles (udon, soba, ramen), and some snacks. Selection varies by location.

Where to Find Specific Japanese Ingredients

• Sashimi-grade fish: Fujiya (best), T&T (decent), or the Vancouver Fish Company on Granville Island
• Natto: Fujiya (refrigerated section, multiple brands)
• Yuzu: Fujiya carries bottled yuzu juice; fresh yuzu is seasonal (winter) and rare
• Japanese curry blocks: T&T and Fujiya both stock House Vermont and S&B Golden Curry. Fujiya has more varieties.
• Matcha powder: Fujiya for cooking grade; for ceremonial grade, try Tsujiri on Robson or order online
• Rice: For proper Japanese rice, get Koshihikari or Calrose from Fujiya. Superstore rice is cheaper but not the same quality.

Trying to keep food costs down? Our grocery budget calculator helps you plan meals within your budget.

Online Options

If you can't make it to a store:

• Fujiya.ca — They offer online ordering with local delivery
• Amazon.ca — Good for shelf-stable items like soy sauce, rice, and snacks
• T&T app — Online ordering for pickup or delivery via Uber Eats

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fujiya expensive compared to T&T?

For Japanese-specific items, Fujiya is competitively priced and often cheaper than T&T. For general Asian groceries, T&T is cheaper. If you're making Japanese food specifically, Fujiya's selection and quality justify the trip.

Where can I find Japanese wagyu or A5 beef?

Fujiya occasionally stocks imported wagyu. For guaranteed A5, check specialty butchers like Beefway Meats on Kingsway or order online from Crowd Cow or Holy Grail Steak Co. Expect to pay $80-150+ per steak.

Can I find Japanese snacks in convenience stores?

7-Eleven and regular convenience stores carry very few Japanese snacks. Konbini-Ya on Robson is your best bet for the authentic konbini experience. T&T also has a good Japanese snack aisle with Pocky, Hi-Chew, and rice crackers.

References

[1] Statistics Canada, "Census Profile, Vancouver CMA, 2021." https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm

[2] City of Vancouver, "Open Data Portal." https://opendata.vancouver.ca/

[3] BC Housing, "Rental Market Reports." https://www.bchousing.org/research-centre/housing-data

[4] Government of Canada, "Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship." https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html

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