The San Diego location of Nijiya Market is our good dependable standby when we’re unable to decide what’s for lunch and sometimes dinner. Though both Nijiya and Mitsuwa Market are within a mile of each other, we usually chose Nijiya. I think the bentos are better and the prices are also better here. It wasn’t always that way though; Nijjiya moved to this location from a really small location across the strip mall (this used to be an Autozone), a few years ago, and the selection and quality has improved.
We’ll just stop by and pick up a bento (or two):
And of course a few snacks; though Mitsuwa has a better selection of snacks, you can’t leave here without getting some Pocky or arare:
This location of Nijiya features a bakery that bakes fresh bread daily, a tempura/fu-rai bar, organic produce, and of course sushi and bento’s. Though I don’t buy any sushi with raw fish from a market, I’ll purchase Kappa Maki (cucumber rolls) or inari sushi on occasion.
There are three bento’s that I’ll usually get here; the Chicken Katsu, the Chicken Karaage:
The chicken karaage has a nice shoyu flavor, and though not very crunchy by the time we usually get it, it still has alot of taste and is pretty moist. I also like the homemade kurobuta (pork) sausage that are sometimes included in the bento. Don’t ask me what the organic rice thing is, I ignore it. After all I can’t taste the difference.
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a combination bento ($6.99), which always includes a few croquettes, some nimono vegetables, and a main okazu(dish to eat with rice). A real quick hint; the best time to “hit” Nijiya is at about 11am, or thereabouts. Most of the varieties of prepared food is available and the crowds haven’t arrived yet.
In our opinion Mitsuwa features a better selection of snacks and other items, and they have wonderful “events and festivals”, other than that I’ll chose Nijiya most of the time.
Pretty clinical post, huh? Well of course I can’t end this way. I’ll add a very shameful secret. Most of the cashiers at Nijiya think I speak Japanese. I’ve fooled them to this point. I understand some Japanese, but will never speak. But 75% of the time I’m there I’m spoken to in Japanese at the check-out. So as they speak to me, I just nod, with an occasional “Hai”, “domo”, or “credit-to no” (credit card), but that’s it! Of course the Missus is standing next to me whispering “you’re such a fake”, and other terms of endearment….but I think I got ’em fooled here! Of course there is shame in living a lie! Go-men-nasai!!!
Nijiya Market
3860 Convoy St Ste 109
San Diego, CA 92111