- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Marukai 98 Cent Store - CLOSED
Category: Shopping Department Stores Shopping Fashion Department Stores Department Stores [Edit]
9937 Walker StreetCypress, CA 90630
(714) 252-8400
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Marukai 98 Cent Store
Review Highlights
"They have Japanese foods and candies as well."
(in 14 reviews)
"Now where will I get my bento boxes and doo dads."
(in 3 reviews)
"The kitchen supplies are nifty."
(in 5 reviews)
Loading...
26 reviews in English
-
Review from Jason A.
11/3/2008
I figure, this place is going to close by year's end, so I might as well get my review in for the record. (That's according to the cashier, anyhow. His exact words were: "We'll stay open until we sell everything in the store, which could be by the end of the year.").
I went here today for the first time, and the first thing I saw was a sign hanging over head saying that they were having a clearance sale as they were going out of business. I took my mother here with me as she needed to find some clotheslines to replace ones that broke during windy days we've had here in SoCal last month.
Nearly everything is 40% off and all food items were 20% off. They have a very strict no return policy, and it doubly applies to things that are on clearance.
The store advertises as 98 cents, but 98 percent of the things in there are higher than 98 cents. They currently have a sauna for sale for $1,500. Some 98 cent store, eh?
They do have some pretty nifty foodstuff in their frozen section. Even though it's just a couple of freezers, it takes me like ten minutes to first figure out what it is they're selling, then debating whether or not I want it. Usually the thought that this place will soon be gone helps cast away all doubt, and I bought quite a few rare Japanese food items. There were a few things that were totally wrapped up and written totally in Japanese, so I wasn't sure what it was. I decided to leave those alone, as I wasn't feeling particularly adventuresome.
They actually accept credit cards. I was surprised, so that made me want to spend more. It is a damn shame I didn't think about going here sooner in my life. Like a girlfriend who is about to move away for college, I'm going to take advantage of the short time we have left together and visit her frequently until the day she's gone and, well, exploit it.
The next closest one to me is the one in Gardena...such a farther distance than from the one here in Cypress. Who knows...maybe something like a Famima!! will open around here soon enough. -
Review from Linny H.
5/4/2007
It's the cuter version of the 99 cents store. Mostly everything is from Japan and super kawaii (cute)! It's used to be 98 cents only but now it's all price ranges. You can get lost in here and up spending 98 cents times hundred!
They offer a great selection of gift accessories like bags, ribbons, wrapping papers and doodads for decorations. if you need dishes, they have all sizes. Cups too! If I haven't said it enough, kawaii! The kitchen supplies are nifty. If you need boxes to be organized, come here. Plastics is your way of life.
Food section is foodtastic. I go for the snack goodies! It's in Japanese so pick and choose by the pictures or American nutritional label if they have one. Be adventurous and eat teeny-tiny salted fish as snacks! Have a rice cake! It's better than the cardboard sold in American grocery stores.
It's very addictive so go with a budget in mind! Oh yeah, no refunds. Buy and keep forever!Listed in: On a Date? Go here!
-
Review from Yuki M.
Updated - 11/10/2008
Update
****CLOSED****
November 2008
Pity too. Now I have to drive way the F out to either Costa Mesa or Gardena for this ish.Listed in: Healthy Hyposcrisy
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/26/2007
I would give it 5/5 but the people who work here are always either mean as Hell or don't speak… Read more »
-
-
Review from Pete S.
1/28/2008
I live in Cypress and Asian markets are far,
I remembered Marukai was five minutes by car,
Not everything in the store was 98 cents,
I bought items for sushi making here are the contents,
Takuan for $3.39, big bright and yellow,
Price for this was a little high, a bit hard to swallow,
Then I saw imitation crab meat for $0.99 for a small package,
I added wasabi & sushi roller for around $1.50, it was a perfect marriage,
I went home happy and made the sushi the best I could,
I'm glad Marukai 98 cents store is close to my hood.Listed in: Busta Rhymes
-
Review from Steven P.
Irvine, CA
8/1/2006
My kitchen, bathroom, & living room is populated mostly by items procured from this magical japanese 98 cent store. They have the BEST plastic rice strainer bowls here, the BEST.
One Christmas, I did all of my shopping here. Those gifts were the best my friends and family ever received from anyone, past and present. And it all cost me just under twenty bucks.
They don't have much though in the way of edible goods, so if you are looking for exotic gummy treats and space age beverages, you must go elsewhere. For everything else, Hai For Marukai! -
Review from mary f.
Long Beach, CA
8/21/2007
It's official, my friends, this is my favorite 98 Cent Marukai. They have the best selection - way better than the one in Gardena.
This place makes me very happy and inspires me to want to be the ultimate bento lunch maker of the world.
Why not go with 5 stars? Hello, there are hardly any items under $1.50. The prices vary and I wish they wouldn't. -
Review from Lovely S.
Fullerton, CA
6/4/2007
Love it.
It's way better than other 99 cent stores. Filled w/ 80 % of Asian stuff and 20% of stuff from other average 99 cent stores out there as well as shampoo, form cups, paper towel, etc.
Dishes (from 99 cents to $3.50) are cute and bargain.
Like zee g. mentions, if you find something that you like, go get it. It might not be there when you come back to get it a week later. I still regret that I missed the bamboo steamer for dim sum about 9"... It costed me $10 at regular Marukai store in Costa Mesa.
I should go check out the new stuff soon. -
Review from Marie B.
San Pedro, CA
1/30/2008
This place is about two blocks from my work office....which can be dangerous. Although the 98 cents part of the sign is wishful thinking, there are still many things at a really low price. Seriously, I go here before heading over to Target (my other guilty-pleasure shopping store). I'm a sucker for little Asian notebooks that have cute quotes in broken English, so I stock up here. I just tried out their market section and found a box of frozen chicken teriyaki baos, 4 for $3.98. Sooo good. I keep them at work for when I need something to much on. One damp paper towel and a minute later I have a steaming bun full of yummy goodness.
My other recent find is a soft microfiber-ish blanket: twin size for $5.99. I needed something small to keep in my office when the a/c blasts too hard, but I wanted something cheap. This was perfect.
Thank you, Marukai. I'll be back for some moche and pocky soon. -
Review from kalila p.
Garden Grove, CA
Updated - 11/12/2008
I am deeply sad. They are closing down since November 1st. Everything is almost kinda gone. 40% off.
-=(
This was my favourite store that I hit up at least twice a month for fun junk.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/25/2007
I read about this store just yesteday after browsing on yelp.
After work today I made an effort with… Read more »
-
-
Review from Carlin T.
Huntington Beach, CA
8/16/2009
OMGSH WHY DID THIS PLACE HAVE TO CLOSE?!
I would drive all the way down here for some crazy cute Japanese stuff! I bought face paper regularly here and even decorated my room to an Asian theme. Aww man even though it was 98-1.50 and like sold furniture I liked it :( -
Review from Christa N.
Anaheim, CA
10/23/2007
have you noticed how these independent "99 cents" stores always carry the title, but never really have anything in the store for 99 cents? since when did 99 cent stores sell Japanese stuff for $60+?or school supplies for over a dollar?
Okay, call me a little bitter, whatever. I just remember back when i was in high school, when this store first opened...they really WERE a 98 cent store. they actually sold decent stuff for the proper price.
Now-a-days, and shortly after they opened, everything in the store has increased and their prices are OVER 98 cents. sure, it's still cheap, but if they're gonna change their prices, they need to change their name. Thats freaking false advertisement.
I'm not a huge fan of this store. The people who work their are kinda rude, and i'm big on manners and hospitality. Maybe it's because i dont speak korean, i dont know.
i don't think i'll ever go back here, the Marukai Supermarket in Costa Mesa though, definitely a better choice. At least they dont false advertise and you can get your grocery shopping done while having a better experience :) -
Review from Christian Y.
CA
3/16/2007
As far as knick knacks and kitchen utensils go, this is your place. But if you actually make the foolish mistake of thinking that anything in this store is even approaching edible, think again. I bought two items- a can of "Thai Milk Tea Drink" and a packet of seaweed. The Thai Milk Tea DRINK tasted nothing like actual Thai Tea. Rather, it tasted like the byproducts of an enema, and left me in severe abdominal distress. I probably should have used the seaweed sheets to wipe with, as that couldn't possibly have made the seaweed taste any worse than it actually did, but after tasting the stuff, I wanted these foul concoctions as far away from my orifices as humanly possible. This is a great place for cute little Japanese things, but the food is anything but. I feel sick just thinking about it. Ugh.
-
Review from Teresa N.
Issaquah, WA
Updated - 1/8/2009
Closed??? Nooooo! Now where will I get my bento boxes and doo dads!?!?
Listed in: The Graveyard
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/15/2008
So many things I never knew I needed.
Bento boxes, Lock & Lock containers, a half spatula-half tong… Read more »
-
-
Review from Deanna Y.
San Diego, CA
3/5/2007
Don't get me wrong, if you like buying cute knick knacks that will inevitably clutter your room, kitchen, closet, bathroom then this place is for you!
For what it is, this store is great. You'll find all sorts of great gift ideas for a rock bottom price. (Come during Christmas time and you'll know what I mean) If you are in need of chopsticks, ceramic dish sets, or anything made of plastic then this is THE place to get it. There are a few things that are worth buying but about 90% of the merchandise is useless. Fun place to look around but a bit overrated as far as discount stores go. -
Review from chair n.
Garden Grove, CA
8/1/2006
this is actually the marukai 98cent store. it's AWESOME!
you can find a lot of stuff here.. japanese bowls and sake bottles, random kitschy kitchen utensils and onigiri makers.. everything from 98cents to 1.50$. if you like to garden they have a huge gardening section. you can pick up a pack of markers for 1.50.. i do'nt know how long they last or how good they are but if you're going to entertain little kids.. coming here to pick up stuff like that is way way cheap.
watch out, if you're like me you'll spend way more than you think. -
Review from Zee G.
Anaheim, CA
Updated - 11/19/2008 4 photos
we went on the 17th at about 6pm and it was dark, i told hubby that they usually don't close until 8pm so something was up.
we pulled up next to the door and i could see the huge store closing sale sign :(
we went yesterday to see what was left and it made me so sad.
i'm still mourning the loss of this store.Listed in: the real orange county
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/26/2007
i LOVE this store!
most of the asian items are $1.50 each and not .98 though.
my advice is if you see… Read more »
-
-
Review from Julie A.
Cerritos, CA
6/1/2008
I love this place. It's like the 99 cent store but not filled with ghetto people. Their products are pretty good quality for the price you pay. It's a Japanese store so a lot of the products have Japanese writing on it, but sometimes you can kind of figure out what it is. They have a lot of kitchen and office supplies. They have Japanese foods and candies as well. A lot of products you can't find in normal American stores. I once found an apron designed for Dachshunds to protect them from getting chest wet since they are so low to the ground (yes, I bought one for my dachshund). Talk about specialized product! Go check it out for yourself.
-
Review from Tina L.
San Diego, CA
6/9/2009
I am SO sad that this place closed down!!!!!!!!!! =( I used to always come here to buy things...especially Japanese face wash and beauty products. I guess I might have to drive all the way out to Gardena or Costa Mesa, apparently. =*(*****
-
Review from Linda K.
Los Angeles, CA
2/21/2008
I do love this store! they have a mixture of both cheap and expensive items. last time i went, they had those huge wooden boats that you see at japanese restaurants and you can't really find those around my area unless you go to little tokyo. plus it's a great place to find gifts to give to people around the holidays or for birthdays.
-
Review from Tiffany J.
Cypress, CA
8/3/2008
After a horrible experience at the salon across the street, this place helps me forget all that. It really makes me get the urge to buy those little containers to make cute bento box lunches for anyone who would accept it. But I haven't. But i want to! So far, I've just bought some binders, oil blotting papers, and snacks. But one daaay, I shall return to buy picnic-ware!
-
Review from Roxanne B.
Cypress, CA
8/27/2008
NO SUSHI -- But great stuff... reminds me of a japanese 99cents store, but not everything is cheap. Stuff here runs from 99cents to $10 -- so be careful. They carry a lot of japanese ceramics, japanese noodles fast food and some japanese bathroom stuff... So, I think coming out here is pretty fun.
-
Review from M. L.
Bellflower, CA
1/29/2009
Even pre-recession, this store was the place to go to find office supplies, dishes, and even tupperware (asian style) for a dollar or for 1.50. Any way you cut it, it was always a great deal.
So I'm giving it a good review in remembrance of the good times & good finds at this store. Don't hate on this place just cuz the economy's whacked!
I'll miss running around and throwing everything I wanted in my basket and not even sweating it... and sure enough, when I was rung up it would never be over $20. Good times... -
Review from IrvineHousewife I.
Irvine, CA
2/4/2008
I come here mostly because of the Hello Kitty stuff and the cheap dinnerware. My daughter loves Sanrio, but it can get expensive. So when my friend who works at Bandai in Cypress told me about this place, I drove there the next day. Even though the Hello Kitty stuff selection is limited, my daughter still loves it, esp. when she's at this age when she buys indiscriminately. I save a bundle too on the dinnerware. Whenever we have friends over for dinner for special occasion, I can stock up on the $1.50 dinner plates and $3 bigger appetizer plates w/o saying ouch. The gas money is totally worth it. The stationary supplies are cheap and abundant. Where can you find staplers, scissors, 1" binders, cute sushi-like erasers for $1.50? I wish I knew this place a lot earlier, I would have saved a bundle on the kids' school supplies. I took a star off because some of their products is not cheap like before anymore. My friend bought an electric fan there for $27. I would go to Target if I paid that price.
-
Review from Thisonegirl h.
Los Angeles, CA
5/7/2008
Everything's already been said by previous yelpers. Cheap, good stuff. I stick to things under $1.50. Like chopsticks, plastic kitchenware, cookies, oil blotting paper, notebooks. But no, Marukai, I will never buy the $1,300 wooden sauna. Who in their right mind would enter a 98cent store and think, "Hmmmm, methinks I'll buy a $1300 sauna. Nothing like a good wooden sauna in me backyard!"? NO ONE!
-
Review from Maria K.
San Jose, CA
12/24/2007
This is one of my favorite stores to go browse for the heck of it when I have nothing better to do, or when I have a very specific knick knack to find that they might carry. When they opened a few years back most items were 98 cents, now most are $1.50 and they actually carry a lot more items than before at higher prices. On the plus side, at $1.50 you could find lots and lots of mostly Japanese goodies from kitchenware, stationary items, to normal 99-cent store items. I like this store b/c you can find a lot of stuff that you don't normally find in other stores (at this price, at least). My only problem with this store is that whenever I go in with one item in mind, I come out with at least 10 things. Whenever I go in with nothing in mind, I come out with at least 20. Other than that, no complains. =P I haven't dealt with the staff there other than at the cash registers, so I can't comment on the service.
-
Review from Rachelle B.
La Mirada, CA
3/24/2008
i love it here, but i rarely go anymore because i work in lake forest and another marukai and mitsuwa are in nearby costa mesa. there's always something new here, but if you see something you like, it's best you get it then because you won't see it next time. during christmas, i get my christmas tree decorations here. i also like to get th cute gift bags. some of them have broken english quotes on them, so be read them carefully. they have improved over the past few years, mainly with adding items that are over 98 cents. i get your normal asian groceries here, like nori, chopsticks, ramune, ichiban ramen, somen, wakame, etc. i love their kitchen accessories and food storage items. they aren't made of the best material, and are best used with cold or room temperature food. also, don't microwave them! their beauty products are iffy, i wouldn't use them, even if i was strap for cash. the dishes, bowls, and cups are also a steal, but chip easily, which i don't cry a river over because i'd pay $1.50 for something at most in that section. i miss you, marukai, i shall come visit you this week!
