Nijiya Market
I get take-out sushi from the Nijiya Market almost once a week because you can purchase the fresh sushi anytime, unlike the traditional hours of a sushi restaurant. It seems to me that I always decide I’m in the mood for maguro around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, and there are no Japanese restaurants open at that hour since they open only for lunch and dinner, but are closed from 2pm to 5pm.
The take-out area of Nijiya Market is on the left as you enter the store. It used to be crowded and difficult to see all the beautifully prepared foods. This part of the store is being expanded right now. The new area includes small dining tables to enjoy your lunch. There is also a newly installed counter where customers will be able to order ramen in the near future. Actually, I don’t know what you’ll be able to order, I just heard a wonderful rumor and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Within this dining area are also all kinds of interesting bottled drinks; “straight tea,” sugared tea, lemon tea, green tea, iced coffees with milk and sugar and Japanese energy drinks, just to name a few.
Be sure to check out the produce department before you purchase your lunch. Most of the produce is organic and all of it is beautiful. Sometimes there are very unusual items that you would never see anyplace else, even at our fabulous Farmers Market. Last time I was in the market I saw fresh organic soba noodles and now I’m thinking of all kinds of incredible dishes I could invent that might include soba.
In the back of the store is the Seafood/Meat department. The fish is picture perfect and the highest possible sushi quality. Some of the items in this department are out-of-the-ordinary and certainly won’t be found at Safeway.
Nijiya Market is a small chain of grocery stores. There are 12 stores and all but 2 are in California. We’re lucky enough to have one right here in Mountain View. We have all different kinds of grocery stores in Mountain View and I think it would be nice feature each of them on this website. Please share with everyone in the comments below if you have a particular little market that you shop at and what your favorite item is. Thanks for sharing and I’ll see you in the sushi department at Nijiya Market.
I could spend hours in this store! I went in for some rice “paper” wrappers for an appetizer I was making and left with a bag full of delicious and interesting items. This is definitely not your average market.
Absolutely love grabbing sushi to-go at this place. Fish is fresh and the price is amazing!