Half of this building is a grocery store. The other half is a Japanese food court with ramen, taiyaki, crepes, and a bakery.
I love that idea. You can grab rice balls, then wander toward fresh fish, imported snacks, and housewares in the same trip.
It all sits along the Hudson in New Jersey, with a view of the city right outside. Some folks make a full day of it, with a waterfront stroll and dessert for the ride home.
I can’t imagine a better excuse to restock the pantry. Who knew a shopping list could end with a steaming bowl of miso ramen?
A Japanese Supermarket Sitting Right On The Hudson
Mitsuwa Marketplace – New Jersey is a Japanese grocery store with a lot more going on than shopping carts. It’s part of a supermarket chain that sells Japanese groceries, cosmetics, appliances, and housewares.
The location sits on the Edgewater waterfront, right beside the Hudson River. Across the water, the city skyline fills the view, which makes even a milk run feel a bit scenic.
Inside, the layout splits into two worlds. One side holds the grocery store, while the other side is lined with small restaurants and food stalls.
That combo is the whole magic trick. You can come for soy sauce and leave having eaten a bowl of ramen, a rice ball, and maybe a fish-shaped pastry.
Plenty of New Jersey shoppers know the name without realizing how much fits under one roof. It works as a market, a lunch stop, and a casual cultural outing all at once.
So think of it as a grocery store with a side quest. The side quest just happens to involve noodles and dessert, which feels like a fair trade for any errand.
Your Ramen Lunch Has Been Waiting Near The Grocery Aisles
Santouka Ramen is one of the big draws at Mitsuwa Marketplace – New Jersey. Long-time shoppers mention it by name, which says a lot about its staying power.
Miso ramen gets singled out as very flavorful. That’s exactly the bowl you want after an hour of debating which rice crackers to buy.
The ramen counter is just one stop in a lineup of food stalls. Two restaurants serve full entrees, so you can go well beyond noodles if the mood shifts.
Beef udon, katsu curry, and hamburger steak all show up on trays here. Some plates even pair a burger patty with tempura shrimp, rice, and radish salad.
Meals at the food court are described as affordable, which helps when the grocery bill climbs. It’s a nice balance between treat and practicality.
Plan on a bit of patience at busy times. Waits for food can run around 15 to 25 minutes, so ordering before you get truly hungry is a smart move.
Rice Balls, Karaage, And Kaisen Boats For Grazers
Onigiri might be the most underrated reason to visit. Gonbei, one of the food court stops, serves karaage chicken and rice balls in a variety of flavors.
These are perfect for anyone who wants to try a little of everything. Grab a few, add some crispy chicken, and suddenly lunch becomes a tasting tour.
Spam musubi and kaisen boats also appear among the picks. Mochi donuts round things out for anyone who needs a sweet finish.
Seafood fans have their own options too. Tempura from one stall earns strong praise, along with fried oysters and squid.
The market side even sells ready-to-eat meal sets, like eel rice boxes and bentos. Special vendor bentos and promos rotate through, so the lineup can change between visits.
A fair warning comes from the menu itself. Vegetarian choices are limited here, so plant-based eaters may want to scout carefully before committing.
Everyone else will face a happier problem, which is deciding what not to order.
Taiyaki, Crepes, And Matcha Ice Cream For The Sweet Tooth
Dessert gets serious floor space here. A custard stand, crepe counter, bakery, and confection stalls all compete for attention.
Taiyaki is a fun one to try. The fish-shaped pastry comes filled with red bean paste, which earns delighted mentions.
Matcha ice cream is another favorite topic among visitors to Mitsuwa Marketplace – New Jersey. KAI creamery is one of the spots handling the frozen side of things.
Then there’s the bakery. Shoppers who’ve been coming for decades still call it really good, and that kind of loyalty is hard to fake.
A boba spot also stands out in the food hall. It’s an easy add-on while you finish browsing the aisles.
Some folks treat desserts as the final errand. They grab sweets on the way out and enjoy them during the ride home.
Others eat theirs along the waterfront outside. Either way, skipping dessert here takes real willpower, and honestly, why test it?
Aisles Packed With Fresh Fish, Wasabi, And Imported Surprises
Fresh wasabi is not something most supermarkets carry. At this store, it sits alongside Japanese juices, imported sodas, and snacks you rarely see elsewhere.
The fish section gets the loudest applause. It’s praised as one of the best places for chirashi and sushi ingredients.
Home cooks love the depth of the shelves. One shopper stocks up on everything needed for sukiyaki, which shows how specific the selection gets.
The produce section also earns strong marks. Packaged Japanese goods fill aisle after aisle, from pantry staples to quirky treats.
Beyond food, Mitsuwa sells cosmetics, appliances, and housewares. Sake bowls and kitchen goods sit within reach of the snack shelves.
Prices can run higher than at some other Asian grocers. It’s a fair point to keep in mind before filling the cart too eagerly.
A good strategy is to shop first and try the free samples along the way. Then head to the food court with a clearer head and a fuller bag.
Busy, Lively, And Full Of Japanese Culture Fans
Crowds come with the territory. Weekends get especially packed, and the noise level rises right along with the lunch lines.
Shoppers sensitive to crowds may want to plan around that. Wheelchairs fit through the space, though bumping into people is likely when it’s busy.
Staff keep things moving even on hectic days. Friendly service is a common theme, which helps when the aisles feel tight.
The vibe has been compared to a warehouse store, with samples and deals scattered throughout. Some love that energy, while others find it a bit industrial.
Trade shows and Japanese events pop up several times a year. Those special happenings give regulars a reason to keep checking back.
So who will love it most? Japanese culture lovers, curious eaters, and home cooks hunting specific ingredients.
Families and friend groups also do well here. Everyone can pick a different stall, then regroup at the tables like a tiny food festival.
Even claw machines get a mention, which might keep younger visitors busy.
Hours, Parking, And A Few Smart Moves Before You Go
Good news for flexible schedules. The market opens daily from 9:30 AM to 9 PM, every day of the week.
You’ll find it at 595 River Rd, Edgewater, NJ 07020. The spot sits along the river, just a short hop for much of North Jersey.
Parking is where planning pays off. Spaces get tight on weekends, so a weekday trip may feel far less stressful.
Food court waits can stretch at peak times. Arriving a little before typical lunch hours can help you skip some of the line.
Budget a bit extra for groceries. Some items cost more than at other Asian markets, though the meals themselves are considered affordable.
Bring reusable bags if you plan to stock up. Between snacks, frozen goods, and fresh fish, carts fill up quickly.
Finally, don’t rush out right after lunch. The plaza holds more stores, and the waterfront deserves a stroll before the drive home through New Jersey traffic.
Why This Errand Deserves A Spot On Your Weekend List
Few grocery runs end with skyline views and a bowl of ramen. That’s the quiet charm of Mitsuwa Marketplace – New Jersey.
It works on several levels at once. You can shop for sukiyaki ingredients, eat lunch, and grab taiyaki without moving the car.
The surrounding plaza adds even more. Daiso and a bookstore sit nearby, ready for extra browsing after the meal.
Some visitors pair a trip here with a long spa day nearby. Others simply grab a meal set and eat it beside the Hudson.
Is it the cheapest grocery stop around? Not quite, and crowds can test your patience on weekends.
Still, the mix of fresh fish, rare imports, and a lively food court is hard to match. Customers who’ve returned for twenty years make that pretty clear.
For New Jersey residents, it’s a reminder that great discoveries can hide inside ordinary errands. Go for the groceries, stay for lunch, and leave with dessert.
That’s a weekend plan worth repeating.
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