This Ohio Japanese Grocery Is Packed With Fresh Seafood, Bento Boxes, And Treats From Japan

An impressive variety of Japanese bento boxes and prepared dishes fills the cases at this Columbus grocery, with selections changing daily and popular favorites sometimes selling out early.

The seafood counter carries sashimi-grade fish, and staff even offer a cutting service for customers who want their seafood prepared sashimi-style.

Ask nicely, and the staff will slice sushi-grade fish sashimi-style for free.

Then come the aisles. Japanese candy, frozen mochi, filled pancakes, and a hot drink fridge all share space with rice straight from Japan.

It’s also the largest Japanese grocery in Ohio, and it has been around since 1990. I can’t imagine a better place to fill a cart and a lunch bag at the same time.

So which aisle would you hit first?

The Bento Wall Will Test Your Decision-Making Skills

A whole wall of bento boxes can turn a quick lunch run into a long, happy staring contest.

Tensuke Market in Columbus offers a wide variety of prepared Japanese meals, with different selections appearing throughout the week.

Some boxes come from neighboring Japan Marketplace kitchens, including Akai Hana and Tensuke Ramen. The label on each package identifies where it was prepared.

Classic Japanese dishes sit alongside creative combinations, and the selection changes daily, so the case never feels stale.

Picture options built around favorites such as salmon teriyaki, chicken karaage, or tempura, often accompanied by rice and vegetables.

A Shrimp Cutlet Bento has also been a favorite among shoppers, with breaded shrimp and accompanying sides.

Timing matters here. The most popular bento items can sell out earlier in the day, so late shoppers may face slimmer pickings.

My advice is simple and a little bossy. Go earlier if you have your heart set on a favorite, and keep a backup choice in mind.

A bento box is basically a full meal arranged like a tidy puzzle. Every little section holds something different, which makes it perfect for picky eaters and curious eaters alike.

Planning a picnic, a work lunch, or dinner on a lazy night? Grab a few different boxes and share.

That way, nobody has to commit to just one, and the whole table gets a tour.

Seafood So Fresh It Gets Its Own Knife Work

Seafood gets serious attention at Tensuke Market. Its fish counter offers a broad selection of sashimi-grade seafood for customers who want to prepare Japanese dishes at home.

That hands-on approach is a big reason home sushi makers love this spot. The selection includes fish sold specifically for raw preparations, although shoppers should always check the product’s intended use with the seafood staff.

Here’s a perk that feels almost too generous. Staff offer sashimi-style cutting services, available daily from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Not great with a knife? Having the seafood counter prepare your slices can save you time and effort.

Thin, even slices also look far prettier on a plate than anything most of us hack together at home.

The freezer section offers more Japanese seafood options for cooking later in the week.

Here’s a smart move for planning. Pick your fish first, then grab rice, soy sauce, and seaweed on the way out.

You’ll have the basics for a Japanese seafood dinner in one trip.

For a Columbus grocery to offer dedicated sashimi cutting services is genuinely impressive. It brings a real fish-market feel to a neighborhood shopping trip.

Rolls With Names Like Fire Dragon Deserve Your Attention

Fire Dragon, Tempura Dragon, and Golden Shrimp all appear on the sushi menu here. Those names sound like the start of a monster movie, but they actually belong to some seriously elaborate rolls.

All the sushi sold inside Tensuke Market comes from Sushi Ten, a carry-out sushi shop in the same Japan Marketplace. That partnership keeps rolls and nigiri coming fresh into the cases.

The roll lineup is big and fun to read. You’ll spot the Rainbow Roll, Tuna Sunset, Salmon Sunrise, and Crunch Philly alongside more familiar favorites.

Nigiri fans have options as well. These small hand-pressed bites put the fish right on top of seasoned rice, so the quality really shows.

Grab-and-go sushi makes a weeknight feel special with zero cooking. Just pick a few packs, add some soy sauce, and call it dinner.

Feeling bold? Try one roll you’ve never heard of alongside one classic favorite.

It’s an easy way to explore without risking your whole meal.

Kids often enjoy picking rolls by name alone. Let them choose something like the Fire Dragon or Golden Shrimp, and suddenly sushi night feels like an adventure instead of a chore.

Just remember that Sushi Ten recommends enjoying sushi on the day of purchase. Plan to eat it fresh.

Your Snack Drawer Is About To Get A Major Upgrade

Sweet, salty, crunchy, and downright unusual snacks fill the aisles here. Even better, the selection keeps changing, so every trip can turn up something new.

Classic Japanese candy like Pocky lines the shelves. Those thin cookie sticks dipped in coating are a favorite for good reason, and they travel well in a backpack.

The freezer section hides more treats. Mochi ice cream waits there, along with dango, which are chewy rice dumplings often served on a stick.

Look for obanyaki too. These Japanese-style filled pancakes make a fun dessert that feels a little different from anything in a regular grocery store.

Belle’s Bread, the Japanese bakery next door, adds another tempting stop to the trip. So you can score fresh bakery sweets without leaving the shopping plaza.

Snack shopping here works best with a small game plan. Pick one familiar treat and one total mystery.

Worst case, you learn something. Best case, you find a new favorite.

Families can turn this aisle into a taste test at home. Lay out a few packs, let everyone vote, and crown a winner.

Fair warning, though. You may walk out with more snacks than groceries.

Nobody here will judge you.

Onigiri, Takoyaki, And Other Grab-And-Go Wins

Rice balls make one of the best quick lunches ever invented. At Japan Marketplace, onigiri options have included fillings such as chicken teriyaki, salmon, and tuna mayo.

Onigiri are triangle-shaped rice snacks, often wrapped in seaweed. They fit in one hand, which makes them ideal for car rides and busy afternoons.

Takoyaki is another fun pick. These round wheat balls hold pieces of octopus and are a well-loved Japanese street snack.

Inari sushi is worth a look too. Sweet tofu pockets get stuffed with sushi rice, and they’re a nice choice for anyone skipping raw fish.

The prepared case goes even further. Vegetable croquettes, chicken karaage, and pork or veggie spring rolls all make appearances.

Dumpling lovers can grab gyoza or jumbo shrimp shumai. Edamame and miso soup round things out for a lighter side.

Mixing and matching is the real fun here. Grab two onigiri, a pack of gyoza, and some edamame, and you’ve built your own little feast.

This section is also great for trying Japanese food without pressure. Small portions mean small risks, and you can sample a lot in one go.

Think of it as a tasting menu you build yourself.

Hot Bowls Of Ramen And Curry Are Waiting Next Door

Cold bento not cutting it today? Tensuke Ramen, located next door to Tensuke Market, serves hot Japanese dishes including ramen, udon, rice bowls, and curry.

Noodle fans have plenty to explore. The restaurant offers ramen and udon with a variety of toppings, making it a convenient stop for a warm, filling meal.

Curry lovers have their own lane. Beef Curry Rice is one of the restaurant’s featured dishes, while chicken teriyaki and spicy shrimp tempura rice bowls offer other hearty options.

Timing matters for this one. Tensuke Ramen serves food Monday through Thursday from 4 PM to 8 PM.

Friday through Sunday, food service runs from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, then again from 4 PM to 8 PM.

That afternoon break catches people off guard. So plan around it if you want a hot lunch or an early dinner.

Seating works a bit differently than you might expect. Tensuke Market itself doesn’t have a dedicated dining room.

Shoppers can use the dining area at neighboring Tensuke Ramen. The restaurant allows customers to eat food purchased elsewhere in Japan Marketplace, with its dining rooms open from 11 AM to 8 PM daily.

Cooking at home instead? Tensuke Market also sells Japanese noodles like ramen, udon, and soba.

Grab a pack after lunch and try making your own bowl later. It’s a tasty way to practice what you just enjoyed.

A Pantry Run That Feels Like A Trip Abroad

Being the largest Japanese grocery store in Ohio comes with serious shelf space. Pantry staples here cover just about every Japanese recipe you’d want to try.

Soy sauce, miso, and curry all have their own spots. Ramen, udon, and soba noodles line up nearby for easy dinner planning.

Rice gets real attention too. Shoppers can find Japanese rice varieties suited to everything from everyday home cooking to homemade sushi.

The produce section brings in Asian vegetables, both familiar and unusual. Shiitake mushrooms, napa cabbage, daikon, and kabocha squash show up, along with seasonal myoga.

Myoga is a type of Japanese ginger bud. It’s usually sliced thin as a fresh topping, so it’s a fun one to look up before buying.

Meat gets the Japanese treatment as well. Thinly cut meats come packaged for convenience, which is perfect for hot pot or quick stir-fries.

Thirsty? Japanese beverages and green teas fill the shelves.

A hot drink fridge keeps canned drinks warm, just like in Japan.

Bring a list, but leave room for surprises. Recipes from your favorite Japanese cooking videos suddenly become much easier when every ingredient sits in one store.

Rice Cookers And Chopsticks Live Here Too

Food isn’t the only thing filling carts at this Japanese grocery. Kitchen gear gets its own spot on the shelves.

Rice cookers are a big one. If you’ve ever burned rice in a pot, you already understand the appeal.

Griddles and woks also make the lineup. Those are handy for cooking up thin-sliced meats, veggies, and noodles from the other aisles.

Chopsticks are available as well. A fresh set can make a homemade Japanese dinner feel a little more official.

Shopping for tools and ingredients in one place is a real time-saver. You can buy the rice, the cooker, and the bowls to serve it without driving all over town.

New cooks benefit the most. Starting with the right equipment makes recipes easier to follow and way less stressful.

These items also make great gifts. A set of chopsticks paired with Japanese snacks is a thoughtful present for a friend who loves anime or travel.

Tip for first-timers: check what you already own before you shop. A good wok can replace a few other pans, and a solid rice cooker can serve you for years.

Buy smart, then cook happy.

Plan A Whole Afternoon Around This Japanese Plaza

Since 1990, Tensuke Market has anchored a growing cluster of Japanese businesses.

Founder Takashi Takenaka first opened Restaurant Japan in 1987, which later moved and eventually became Akai Hana.

The grocery followed three years later. Over more than 30 years, the whole thing grew into the Japan Marketplace.

You’ll find it at 1167 Old Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, inside the Kenny Centre Mall. The plaza even features a Japanese-style garden area.

Neighbors make the trip worthwhile. Belle’s Bread bakes Japanese treats, J Avenue sells gifts, and Tensuke Ramen serves casual meals.

Akai Hana handles fine dining, and Sushi Ten makes carry-out sushi. The Yokoso Center, established in 2021, adds a multipurpose space for cultural classes and events.

Hours are friendly for most schedules. The market opens 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunday.

A large parking lot helps, though it can fill up since the plaza is popular. Wheelchair-accessible parking and an accessible entrance are available.

Card and mobile payments are accepted, so checkout stays simple. With shoppers coming from all over Ohio and nearby states, it’s easy to see why this corner of Columbus feels like a destination.