Yaoyasan

I love this little market! They have a good choice of all kinds of things for making Japanese style meals and offer some pre made sushi snacks... if you don't show up right before closing time. The staff is always helpful in finding the things I need since I can't read a lot of the labels, and they are strict about covid policy so everyone stays healthy. And it's next to BR so I can get an ice cream after shopping 😀

I love the people who run it they are so nice. Caution tho, check expiration dates! Also cheap ghetto brand products like J Basket is so awful and I have also bought some "made in Japan" green teas that were so awful we tossed the entire thing and didn't even finish the first cup. I wish they carried more quality brands, especially US based "Japanese" brands may be cheap but quality is just so horrendous. Also all the kimchi contain MSG except vegan product that we tossed (wow I sound so picky but I swear it's not just me!) . I'd like to see products and practices

I don't understand why this store doesn't come up when I search Yelp for "Japanese grocery," but lucky for me a local told me about it. Great for produce, pantry items, and bento items.

Best Japanese grocery store! Fresh produce, tons of snacks, sauces galore, great alcohol selection and so many noodle options. They have hawaiian treats like guava syrup and pancake mixes. Good ready-to-go meals. Dont shop at branch 999 - this place is way cuter and you'll be supporting the local mom and pop stores.

I love Yoaya San Market! 5 STARS ***** We are so fortunate to have a small store in El Cerrito where you can do all your shopping at reasonable and affordable prices of "excellent quality" foods. You can get your vegetables, meats for meat eaters (I'm vegetarian) and sweets snacks all in one stop. We shop here regularly for vegetable and Japanese products and kitchen utensils. The pictures are my favorite groceries.

I haven't been here since Zipang closed it's doors (sheds tear) but was finally ready to put my grief behind me and visit the enlarged Yaoyasan.
I'll be honest, I was hoping for both stores in one, but that's not really the case. It's pretty much an enlarged grocery store with very little to offer in house goods or stationery.
Having said that, they do have stacks of condiments, essentials and snacks. Even delicious frozen confections like the Brown Sugar Boba ice cream bars! They are every bit worth the hype.
Each row is super packed and the fresh section has a jammed

Great store thats stocked with all of the meats, fish, produce, and misc items that I need to make all of the classic Japanese home cooked dishes

They have a great inventory where you will be able to get most Asian market items, particularly sushi grade fish. The only thing I wish they had was a small bakery. Sometimes I prefer to brave the crowded Ranch 99 because of this reason.

Amazing little grocery store for all your Japanese culinary needs. Located on San Pablo Blvd , has been my "go to for years." There are a couple of store in the area, and since the enlarging remodel, they are even better. This trip was for specialty Natto to share with my daughter. For a small market they have managed to get a lot of food merch in here. Also prepared foods and bentos.

This place is so important for our local Asian community. Like Mom and Pop shops in the old days. Growing up, I was next to a Greek neighborhood. We depended so much on our little shops that served specific

This is easily my favorite grocer for ingredients to cook Japanese food! I go here every other day, it's so convenient and easy to shop at and they always have everything I need! Being able to read Japanese will help a lot.
Great for cheap and high quality sushi during lunch. They get it from Musashi in Berkeley, I think!

I came here looking for something they didn't have. And was not as impressed as I had been when they opened. They seem to have expanded but it's not as tidy as I would have liked. Because I was there for the one item, I was a little underwhelmed by the way the rest of the store looked. It's not the type of market I'd purchase meat from or prepared dishes. I don't think I'll be back.

Piece of Japan its like a Mini Market but with super fresh products. There are a good selections of pre-made meals, fresh produce, section full of kitchen and bathroom appliances and also good selections of snacks. Super friendly and helpful employees! (Love making PokiBowls with their fresh ingredients)

I love shopping in the newly designed space! The Japanese grocery selection is awesome- Mahalo for the Aina selection of Zippy’s Chili and Ono Foods LauLau!
Musubi’s would be welcomed as well!
I love coming here as it supplies all what I need for Japanese ingredients on the fly.

Small Japanese grocery store with a decent inventory. Good selection of sake as well. Staff is always friendly and accommodating. Bento box prices are getting a little expensive, however.

I stopped by Yaoyasan on the way back from SF. I really wanted to go to a bigger Japanese supermarket in San Jose but did not have enough time to make the extra miles, so it was perfect this place is on the way back home.

The store is rather smal..smaller than what I expected. But if you are just looking for basic Japanese groceries, this place does the job. Prices....not cheap but acceptable.

The service is really nice and efficient. I definitely not gonna go out of my way to stop by here but if it is on the way, I might again one day.

It's missing more variety, but it satisfies the norm of what I want when it comes to sashimi, such as salmon and hamachi (yellow tail tuna)! My new favorite is the ika (squid)!

Stopped by here because I really craved sashimi on a Friday pick me up after a long week and made it in the nick of time!

Basic necessity of Japanese grocery goods here are met!

Small little store that has huge selection of Japanese groceries and needs.

I come here to buy sashimi and small prepared food items. Go early if you want prepared food for lunch or affordable to go meals. Because by 2 or so, they are pretty much wiped out. Their sashimi is super fresh and you can find really good cuts and variety.

They also have a nice liquor selection. You can find sake, wine, whiskey, beer and even souju.

They also have an amazing dried noodle selection where I was able to buy chasoba noodles, a special treat!

Don't forget the to check out the snack aisle!

Need

Man, this was a find! We were driving down San Pablo trying to avoid traffic and saw this little Japanese market!

They do their absolute best to follow covid safety protocol. Someone's at the door checking temperature. Multiple hand sanitizer stations. And taped floor guides to walk you through each aisle to practice social distancing. It definitely felt like customers in general were respective of each other's space.

I wish this little market was closer to where I live because I probably would've bought more than just the small bottles/packets of seasonings and toppings for cooking

Today I was wanting sushi while Alan was out w/ a friend for lunch. I guess I haven't been to Yaoya San since the pandemic started. I was surprised and impressed by the level of their COVID precautions. A masked woman sat by the front door. I was encouraged to use hand sanitizer and, asking my permission, she took my temperature, Masks, of course, were required for entry. Once I entered I went to the cooler where the sushi is kept and picked out a package combining three pieces each of futomaki and inari sushi. At the checkout counter, the man who checked me out took my money in a plastic

This store is a gem. We had just picked up live crab from a crab fisherman and Emeryville marina then made our way to my preferred market(s) typically up a few items. Unfortunately, they all had crazy long lines and I didn't want to stand in them. My husband remembered Yaoya San, so we headed there. This was going to be my last stop regardless of whether I got in or not. Much to my delight, there were only a few people in line. I was inside and shopping within 5 minutes.

It has been a while since I last came here. They have expanded to the space next door and really have just about everything

Wonderful market with great staff and a great selection of goods! Very friendly and knowledgeable. Felt very covid safe with the masks, sanitizer outside and limited capacity inside. As someone who grew up in Hawaii, I loved seeing a lot of products and brands that remind me of home. Definitely recommend!

Great quality Japanese food and beverages. There are a variety of Japan-imported seasonings, snacks, drinks frozen food, and appliances. I made some really tasty and fancy ramen noodle with the ingredients purchased at this store.