Mitsuwa Marketplace Chicago

Mitsuwa Marketplace in the Chicago area is located on East Algonquin Road in Arlington Heights, serving as a major Japanese grocery destination for the Midwest. The large market area is organized around imported Japanese pantry staples including rice, dried noodles, sauces, seasonings, and specialty condiments that are harder to find in typical local grocery stores. Chilled aisles hold fresh tofu, side dishes, and a wide variety of sushi and sashimi trays prepared for take-home meals, alongside a seafood counter offering chilled fish selections suitable for sashimi and other Japanese preparations. The market also includes fresh produce with vegetables and fruits commonly used in Japanese cooking.

Within the grocery footprint, there is a substantial food court featuring a dozen or more Japanese dining counters. These vendors serve a range of hot dishes including ramen, donburi (rice bowls), tempura, grilled yakitori skewers, curry rice plates, udon, and other cooked Japanese fare, alongside specialty desserts like matcha soft serve. Popular stalls include Santouka for ramen, Tokyo Shokudo for set meals, and other counters offering tonkatsu, fried oysters, and comfort plates that reflect diverse regional Japanese cooking styles.

Adjacent to the main market space are specialty shops and counters selling Japanese bakery goods and sweets, confections, and imported beverages. A Japanese bookstore within the marketplace stocks manga, anime merchandise, and stationery, while other sections offer beauty products, collectibles, and unique gifts imported from Japan. The overall layout blends grocery shopping with food court dining and specialty retail in one large complex that attracts visitors from across the Chicago metropolitan area.