AT:LA is excited to welcome new contributor Jonathan Lo to the mix. We are so lucky to have his eye on the scene!
It's no secret that Japanese grocery stores are abundant in yummy treats for both your stomach AND your eyes. But what could be better than a Japanese grocery store? How about a Japanese 98 Super Store?!
The Marukai supermarket chain (website in Japanese only), a long time staple in Little Tokyo, imports many varieties of Japanese products, including food, furniture, home accessories and small appliances. Marukai also has several 98 Super Stores (click for locations). These "98 Super Stores" are set up similar to your typical "99 Only" or "Dollar" stores, except almost all the items are imported from Japan. Every aisle is filled with super "kawaii" (japanese for "cute") things, and although not everything is actually "98", there didn't seem to be anything over $1.50 (with the exception of some larger furniture pieces.)
Jonathan Lo - The Happy Mundane Faux Bois Jon Lo?
Wow, you guys have the best peeps! Welcome Jon!!!
Holly
p.s. I have a think for Japanese products too, and I loved little tokyo when I was in S.F.
Oh, by the way, I think there's one of these in the Japanese section in downtown LA too because I went to a .98 cent store there last June...
Holly
I think dollar stores are a great resource. When Alec posted his 99 Cents Only Store picks a few months back, I jumped for joy. Digging through the not-so-good stuff to find the few nuggets is a fun little urban adventure... I believe there is a smaller Marukai 98 Store in a Little Tokyo mini-mall a few blocks away from the Marukai Supermarket at Weller Court. I found these great wooden puzzles for my year old niece there. My friend liked them so much, he ended up buying some to use as wall-art. [One benefit of visiting this smaller branch in Little Tokyo is that it's located in the same mini-mall as the very popular (but only to savvy locals) restaurant, Shabu-Shabu House.]
Are you exited or excited?
"AT:LA is exited to welcome new contributor Jonathan Lo to the mix. "
A welcome addition indeed!
There's also a great discount japanese housewares shop on Sawtelle right next door to Hurry Curry (near the intersection of Sawtelle and Olympic) which is great for kitchen tools and ceramics. It started off as a dollar store, but not too long after opening dropped that particular advertised angle. There's still some fantastic bargains inside though.
Anne- while we may be exiting soon, we are really excited about Jon.
Thanks for catching our typo.
Are face is read ;-)
-Dumb Alec
Sheesh. Is it really necessary to point out inconsequential typos? Missing "c" or not, did you really NOT understand what Alec was trying to say, anne?
I went to a "98 cent" (really $1.50 like noted) Japanese stores in Little Tokyo. I don't think it's under this chain, but it was similar. Witness the madness: http://flickr.com/photos/oceantsunami/130512411/in/set-72057594110006200/
Oh my gawd, susan y. I was laughing so hard when I clicked through to the *annotated* photo of your 98 cent haul! You are crazy like a crazy-cat-lady. And I think I need to marry you.
susan y-
i hear you- its so dangerous there... and keep me away from those chocolate koala things! Forget Pringles, once you start, you can't stop!!
aloha, I miss Hawaii!! I left Two years ago and i miss your Iso peanuts... I wanted to know the name of the product. It comes in four flavors, Original(yellow package), Adobo (brown package), Garlic (green package) and Barbeque (orange or red package)... My friend is heading back there in May and i wanted her to bring me back some from your store... I shopped there all the time, it rocks.
Sincerely,
Lorena