Akai Hana Market

Elite '08

81

254

tristin m.

Chicago, IL

The place is tiny but jam packed with pretty much all the Japanese groceries you'd ever need and a cute little section with trinkets and hello kitty stuff... I don't buy hello kitty anymore like I used to but it reminds me of elementary school... There's just something about places that trigger childhoodie feelings and thoughts that makes me happy...

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

278

606

Keiko S.

Cupertino, CA

Next to Akai Hana Restaurant is this small-scale Japanese grocery store. Given its limited size and non-discounted prices, it's not where I do my daily shopping. Rather, it's where I suddenly end up going because of an item or two that are unexpectedly missing from my kitchen and I can't be bothered to make a long trip to Mitsuwa.

It reminds me of a convenience store in Japan; they carry a little bit of everything. Pastries, seafood, meat, frozen foods, ready-made foods, snacks, drinks, condiments, etc...diverse, but in small portions. Aside from the groceries, they also have kitchenware, stationary, and other random stuff that are somewhat collecting dust. (In the back, they have a basket full of marked down 'expired' items.)

What's cool about this place is - and this the main reason for my frequent visits lately - they have a tiny video rental section in the back. They keep the shelves fairly updated, though again, it's very small.

Lastly, I love the staff here, at least the ones I've met. They are all so friendly and helpful. That's one extra star right there!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

84

165

Deborah K.

Los Angeles, CA

Best sushi I had in Chicago.  I couldn't resist...even during the 6 years I was a vegetarian.  And right behind my mom's house!

Plus one star for being so good my 9,000 year old father actually gave up his meat-and-potatoes Polish-eating ways for weekly sushi treats.  I NEVER thought that would happen.  Neither did he.

Minus one star because now if I ever go back there I have to worry about running into my mom.  Actually that should be minus 12 stars, but the sushi is REALLY good...especially for someplace so inland.

Then again, I haven't actually eaten there in the nearly 10 years since I moved to the West Coast, so who knows.  Maybe now it sucks by comparison.  In my head, however, it's delightful...apart from the fact my mom might be there.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review