To cook Japanese meals at home, having the right ingredients makes a real difference. I still buy most of my fresh produce at local supermarkets, but there are a few specialty items I almost always pick up from these shops.

If you are in Melbourne and wondering where to shop, these are the three Japanese grocers I come back to most often.

1. Fuji Mart (South Yarra)

This is my favourite kind of one-stop shop. Walking in always reminds me of a small supermarket in Japan.

They have a wide range of pantry staples and frozen foods, and the location makes it especially convenient. It is right near Prahran Market, so I often stop there for lunch first and then do all my grocery shopping in one go. It’s the kind of place that makes planning and cooking for the weekend feel easy.

2. Hinoki Japanese Pantry (Fitzroy)

Hinoki is on Smith Street and has a beautifully curated feel. It is more like a boutique pantry than a regular grocery store.

I love their selection of condiments, and they often have fresh sashimi fillets, which makes it very easy to put together a simple sashimi plate at home. They also have a great range of Japanese snacks, and even a vending machine inside the store.

At the front, there is also a lovely display of Japanese ceramics and cups, and I always end up wanting to take far more home than I planned. They have a sushi bar for a quick takeaway lunch too, and since my favourite Japanese cafe, CIBI, is only about a 7 to 8 minute walk away, it is a nice area to spend a little time in.

3. Suzuran (Camberwell)

Suzuran is a Melbourne classic. It has a more traditional feel, and every visit feels calm and welcoming.

They have all the essentials, and it is very hard to leave without picking up some of their sushi. It is also the place I go when I want to treat myself to one of their sushi platters for a special occasion.

My Top Recommendations

If you are visiting one of these shops for the first time, these are the things I would start with:

• Japanese rice: the foundation of so many Japanese meals.
• For miso soup: pick up miso paste and dashi packs for an easy start.
• For teriyaki: look for soy sauce, mirin, and sake. These are the three key ingredients behind that classic sweet-savoury glaze.

Each of these stores has its own charm, and visiting them always makes me feel a little closer to home.

I still enjoy wandering the aisles and discovering something new each time. The staff are always friendly, and it never feels intimidating to ask for help if you need it.

- Tomoka

Store Locations