Maruichi — What to Know
Massachusetts' go-to Japanese grocery — locations, what they carry, and how it compares to H-Mart and other Asian markets.
Maruichi is one of the best-stocked Japanese grocery in the Massachusetts area. If you're looking for authentic Japanese ingredients, this is where to go.
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What It Is
Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli is a Japanese-owned grocery chain specializing in imported Japanese food products, fresh prepared items, and household goods. It caters primarily to the Japanese community and carries products that are difficult to find at general supermarkets or even Korean/Chinese-focused Asian markets like H-Mart.
The chain has expanded across the Northeast (CT, RI, NJ, VA) but the Massachusetts locations remain the most relevant for this guide.
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MA Locations
| Location | Address | Hours | Notes |
|----------|---------|-------|-------|
| **Brookline** (main) | 306 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446 | Daily 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Largest MA location. Full meat/fish counter, widest selection. |
| **Maruichi Select** | 299 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446 | Daily ~10:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Across the street from main store. Curated shop (PB products, imports, gifts) + prepared food. Not a full grocery store — see FAQ below. |
| **Arlington** | 1398 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476 | Daily 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM | Compact but well-stocked. Same product range, less fresh meat/fish than Brookline. Easier parking. |
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What They Carry
**Pantry staples** — Soy sauce (multiple brands/types), miso (white, red, awase), dashi packets, mirin, rice vinegar, cooking sake, furikake, nori, dried shiitake, katsuobushi, curry roux, instant ramen (Japanese brands).
**Meat** — Thin-sliced pork and beef for yakiniku, shabu-shabu, and stir-fry. This is one of the few places in MA where you can buy pre-sliced thin-cut meat without doing it yourself. Pricing is higher than American supermarkets but reasonable given the cut style.
**Fish** — Sashimi-grade fish, whole fish, salmon ara (collars/scraps for soup), saba, sake kirimi. Brookline location has the better selection.
**Fresh prepared food** — Onigiri (made daily, multiple flavors), bento boxes, chirashi bowls, inari. Good for a quick lunch but expensive.
**Frozen** — Gyoza, udon, edamame, takoyaki, frozen fish, ice cream (Japanese brands like Yukimi Daifuku).
**Snacks and drinks** — Japanese snacks, tea (loose and bottled), canned coffee, ramune, Japanese beer and sake. Liquid goods tend to be priced high, perhaps due to weight per item.
**Household / other** — Japanese stationery, beauty products (including sunscreens), kitchen tools, bento supplies, cleaning products.
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How It Compares
**vs. H-Mart** — H-Mart is Korean-focused with a broader "pan-Asian" selection and much larger floor space, but most Japanese-specific items are limited in variety. Maruichi carries Japanese brands and products that H-Mart either doesn't stock or stocks in smaller quantities. Maruichi is generally 20–30% cheaper than H-Mart on comparable Japanese items (per Japanese expat community reports). H-Mart wins on thin-cut hotpot meat pricing specifically.
**vs. Trader Joe's / general supermarkets** — TJ's carries miso, tofu, soy sauce, and a few other basics. Maruichi carries hundreds of Japanese products across every category. Not comparable in depth.
**vs. local Vietnamese/Chinese markets** — These are better for Asian produce (daikon, bean sprouts, napa cabbage, bok choy) at lower prices. Maruichi's produce section is small and focused on items like shiso, myoga, and Japanese cucumbers when available.
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Practical Tips
- **Brookline on weekends gets crowded.** Aisles are narrow. Weekday mornings are ideal for parking and browsing.
- **Check the markdowns.** Near-expiration meat and sashimi are occasionally marked down significantly.
- **Arlington is easier to access by car** with a proper parking lot, and carries the same core product range.
- **They accept credit cards and Apple Pay.** No membership or loyalty program.
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FAQ
Is there a Japanese grocery store in Brookline, MA?
Yes. Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli at 306 Harvard St in Brookline is a full Japanese grocery store carrying imported pantry staples, fresh meat and fish (including sashimi-grade), daily-made onigiri and bento, frozen items, Japanese snacks, and household goods. It is one of the few stores in Massachusetts where you can buy pre-sliced shabu-shabu and yakiniku meat, multiple brands of dashi and miso, and specialty items like katsuobushi and Japanese curry roux without ordering online. Open daily 9 AM – 9 PM.
What is Maruichi Select?
Maruichi Select is a curated shop carrying Maruichi's original private-brand products, directly imported items from Japan, and gift selections. The Brookline location (299 Harvard St, across from the main store) also serves prepared food, like curry, onigiri, baked goods, and matcha drinks. It is not a full grocery store; if you need everyday cooking ingredients, pantry staples, or fresh meat and fish, go to the main store at 306 Harvard St. Select is best for gifts, specialty finds, and a quick meal.
Does Maruichi have locations outside Massachusetts?
Yes. Maruichi has expanded across the Northeast with locations in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Virginia. This guide covers the Massachusetts locations only: Brookline (largest selection, full meat and fish counter) and Arlington (same core products, easier parking, slightly shorter hours). If you are outside MA, check Maruichi's website for the location nearest you.
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*Note: This guide provides general information only. Store prices and product availability change over time. For personalized guidance navigating stores with your family, see our [concierge services](/jp#contact) (Japanese-language support available).*