Sakura Ya Japanese Market
“What I loved the most was the onigiri rice ball and some japanese confection sweets like manju cake and mochi which are in $1.50-$.200 range.”
“Several freezers hold noodles (including Sun ramen), dumplings, Berkshire mini sausages, raw meat and seafood.”
“While I was loading up on food, my bf loaded up on Kirin Ichiban beer (nice selection in the back) and pocky.”
Sakura Ya Japanese Market
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range Moderate
8 reviews
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Sakura-Ya is a good place to go to when there's specific Japanese groceries you want that aren't as easy to find in the very many non-Japanese Asian markets in Flushing. I'm talking about things like matcha powder and Japanese pickled vegetables. They have some of the lowest prices on tofu that I've seen. Sakura-Ya also carries bento boxes, cooking supplies, and some Japanese beauty supplies. They may not be anywhere near as large or as stunning as Mitsuwa is, but I'm so glad they're in Queens!
My eternal search for Onigiri Japanese rice balls has finally came to a halt! Sakura Ya is all about Japanese foods, and hygiene items. A small gem hidden in Queens that sits nearby 75th Avenue E and F trains. Here lies my favorite items: Ramen noodles, Onigiri, Pocky, baked buns. Select items are pricey as they are imported from Japan. The Onigiri and my red bean baked bun are fresh. A small specialty market that the aisles are very narrow, which indeed as mentioned by a previous Yelper, is to maximize space. Sakura Ya reminds me of my past visit to Tokyo, Gunma Prefecture and Nikko in Japan. The company name symbolizes the Japanese cherry blossom flower.
Customer service is efficient and courteous in true Japanese fashion. I submitted my cash payment in true Japanese cultural fashion: two hands and the bill facing the recipient with a bow.
A small Japanese deli on Austin. Japanese supermarkets are a rare occurrence here in Queens so if there's one near you, feel blessed.
Like what I said its small so do not expect to find fresh raw seafood here. They do have those packets of ramen that's way better than that orange one you're used to. And some other Japanese treats. It's always worth to come and check this place out.
We are very grateful to have this market in our area. In addition to the Japanese specialty products such as natto, mizuna and soba noodles, there are freshly made gyoza, sushi and dinner plates.
The store is small, and parking in Forest Hills? You know the deal.
A true gem in forest hills. They have hot and cold foods such as chicken with rice and sushi and miso soup. All reasonable prices and delicious.
I am so glad to have this Japanese market within a few minutes walk to where I live. While this store is undoubtedly on the smaller side, every space is utilized very well. It has a huge selection of your basic Japanese necessities plus some. This store carries everything from prepared foods (ready-to-eat rice bowls, baked goods, onigiri) to items you'd expect such as Japanese snacks, assorted ramen (both fresh and the regular dried ones), asian condiments, exotic ice cream (green tea, red bean, mochi), matcha everything (yes, that includes Kit Kat), and a limited but much appreciated selection of fresh veggies and meats. You can also find more authentic items such as shiso, uni, tobiko, and fresh fish for your sushi and sashimi needs! They even have a section for kitchen tools and gadgets, plus even Japanese beauty products!
I love coming in here to browse around sometimes just to see what I can find. The employees are all very hardworking and friendly. But best of all? The prices here are surprisingly very reasonable given the neighborhood!
Sakura Ya was an unexpected find. It doesn't take long to deduce that its target clientele is ostensibly Japanese. There's a variety of merchandise stocked that doesn't cater to Americans, cramped set-up akin to many a market in Japan, a host of Japanese language ads and flyers on the windows, and a video rentals section. What is curious is its location at the southeast end of the Austin Street commercial strip in Forest Hills; the nearest Japanese population hub is in Astoria; nearby but by no means close. The bigger hub in Manhattan have their own markets to choose from. Yet here it is, and has been, apparently for many years.
After finding it incidentally while strolling down Austin Street, I all but scampered inside in delight. This was just a few days after a trip to Mitsuwa in Edgewater, New Jersey, and I left impressed, not disappointed, if there was any comparison to be made. Sakura Ya is a tiny store, but its size is misleading. It stocks up its small footprint effectively. There's an extensive selection of Japanese groceries; not much choice per item, but a far-ranging variety so chances are, if you're looking for a very specific Japanese food item, there will be at least one option sold.
There are sauces and spices (yuzu kosho, sweet mayonnaise (not Kewpie!), mirin, ponzu, shichimi), serving-size season mixes for rice and pasta, dried and instant noodles, a variety of domestic Japanese rice, an aisle of candy and snacks, teas, kombu, nori, and dried shiitake, and soup bases. Several freezers hold noodles (including Sun ramen), dumplings, Berkshire mini sausages, raw meat and seafood. A fresh vegetable section has neatly wrapped produce such as eggplants, leeks, shiso, kabocha, and Napa cabbage.
Besides food items, there's a small selection of household goods, primarily kitchen-related tools, cookware, and serving ware. Some cosmetics and body care products too.
Always fun is to come by and check out the prepared foods for sale. The best choices are earlier in the day, where there can be a variety of bento boxes, meat or tempura rice bowls, cold udon bowls, gyoza, onigiri, salads (seaweed, potato), seafood (sushi-grade fish, ikura, tobiki), oden, and more. Grab one of many Japanese soft drinks to go (less sweet and not carbonated, for the most part).
Sakura Ya is a very good small Japanese market. Its location in an ethnic-market scarce neighborhood makes it a gem to have, a must-go for Japanese goods, and an above-average stop for prepared foods. Pick up a customer card if you plan to go regularly; it may take a while but one-hundred $10 purchases earn a $20 gift certificate. Spend that on a box of uni!
If your search for onigri rice balls brought you here, rest assure, they have it here. You will be most satisfied with the price and the taste! Be aware- if it happens that me and you are at the store at the same time, and if you're not quick enough, there won't be any left. Cuz I will buy them ALL!
Muhahahaha.