Tokyo Central & Main San Diego

8111 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111, United States
+1 858-384-0240
$$$ Grocery store , Asian grocery store , Fashion accessories store , Supermarket
(1157 Reviews)

Tokyo Central & Main San Diego is a multi-faceted Asian market experience right off Balboa Avenue, blending grocery shopping with a niche lifestyle store feel. It’s more than your average supermarket—this spot draws in locals who appreciate not only fresh Japanese ingredients but also collectibles and quirky accessories that capture a slice of Tokyo’s pop culture vibe.

The market layout is spread across three connected buildings, each specializing in different categories: fresh groceries, dry goods, and household items. This setup encourages visitors to take their time exploring rather than rushing through a conventional grocery run. The fresh produce and seafood section is often praised for both selection and pricing, making it a popular stop for home cooks looking to whip up authentic Japanese dishes without the hassle of sourcing specialty ingredients elsewhere.

Beyond groceries, this location truly shines for collectors and fans of Japanese animation and pop culture. Model builders and hobbyists find an impressive lineup of Bandai kits featuring franchises like Gundam and Ultraman, along with all the tools needed to dive into assembly right away. The lifestyle shop next door complements the grocery side with shelves of Japanese snacks, makeup, and novelty items such as bags adorned with Shiba Inu prints and other playful merchandise.

The atmosphere feels dynamic yet approachable—clean, well-organized, and without the overwhelming sensory overload some similar stores can have. It’s a place where you might spend a morning picking up fresh ingredients for dinner, then browse through shelves of nostalgic figurines or indulge in bite-sized treats. Shopping here suits weekends or weekday evenings when you can meander and discover little finds without feeling rushed.

Visitors who enjoy Japanese culture, whether for cooking, collecting, or just casual browsing, will find Tokyo Central a convenient and engaging local spot. It reflects a small slice of Tokyo’s bustling market spirit but with a more laid-back, neighborhood-friendly pace suitable for San Diego’s eclectic tastes.

Highlights
Has great produce
What they serve
Serves food
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Parking
On-site parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

1157 Reviews
Mr. No Tengo Dinero

04 Jan 2026

Pretty cool Japanese figures store! There are many animation character stuffs here! It reminds me of Tokyo a little bit! If you like to get something Japanese stuff, I believe this is a good store to have a look at!! Pretty cool

Kimi & Lucy

31 Dec 2025

This shop is like Don Quijote without the annoying music. If you are seeking your fav Japanese snacks, makeup, or something random like Nosemint, Jagabee, or a bag with shiba inus on it…you found it! It is cheaper than a flight to Okinawa! There are three separate buildings: household products, dry goods, and fresh groceries. It is worth visiting all 3 shops. If you love Japanese food and products, this is 1-3 hrs of shopping heaven. Loved it.

Sergio Valenzuela

26 Dec 2025

Awesome stores in the San Diego area. Tokyo Central Specialties has great cooked foods (takoyaki is amazing), fresh and affordable ingredients, and delicious desserts.

Daniel Gomez

16 Dec 2025

Very clean. Great market! All kinds of fun snacks and cute little gifts. The grocery store is amazing and has a lot to offer.

Scott L

09 Dec 2025

A Dream Destination for Collectors and Lifestyle Enthusiasts! I absolutely love this place—it's every man’s dream! You can find an amazing selection of Bandai models featuring iconic IPs like Gundam, Digimon, Ultraman, and Yu-Gi-Oh!—all available here. Plus, they offer assembly tools, so you can fully enjoy the hands-on experience of building these models. For fans of Hello Kitty, the selection is incredible, with everything from plush toys and mugs to even collaboration kitchenware! Beyond that, the store also has a wide variety of beauty products, stocking all the major Japanese brands. Tokyo Central & Main is the perfect spot to find everything you need to enhance your lifestyle, from hobby kits to beauty essentials. I can’t recommend it enough!

Dayana Arias

12 Nov 2025

The ham and egg sandwich is the best thing ever. It got me addicted to it. Sadly every time I go there it runs out. My husband said it restocks everyday at 11am.

WOOCHIKA

07 Oct 2025

Tokyo Central is a fantastic spot for Japanese groceries and unique finds! The store offers a wide variety of authentic Japanese snacks, drinks, fresh produce, and household items. I love that it’s part of the Don Quijote family group, which means you’ll find some of the same fun and eclectic products you’d see in Japan. The layout is spacious and well-organized, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable for imported goods, and there’s always something new to discover. If you’re a fan of Japanese culture or just want to try something different, Tokyo Central is definitely worth a visit!

Annie T

07 Oct 2025

I coming to Tokyo Central!! They pretty much have everything I need in one shopping center. They even have treats for dogs and cats. Went to Tokyo Central Main today and the building next to it with all the snacks. I love getting snacks, stationaries, and bottled teas from here. My favorite tea is the Jasmine green tea (see pic below!!) because of the floral taste. I drink those like water throughout the day, so yahh I stock up on those on a weekly basis LOL!! I rarely go to the building with groceries and didn’t go in this time. But I highly recommend this place!!!

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