Tokyo Central
The former Marukai on Balboa, now a three-building Japanese shopping complex from the Don Quijote family: one building for produce, sushi, bento and hot food, one for snacks, rice, noodles and tea, and Tokyo Central & Main next door for anime figures, Sanrio, cosmetics and housewares. Japanese shoppers call it the closest thing to a supermarket back home.
- $$ · mid-priced
- Parking: Medium: crowded at lunch and on Sundays, tricky to get in and out of; extra spaces behind the buildings
- Details checked Oct 2026.
8151 Balboa Ave #2421, San Diego, CA 92111
Tokyo Central is a mid-priced grocery store on Balboa Avenue in the Convoy District in San Diego's Kearny Mesa. Go for: Karaage from the hot food case — reviewers call it the best around; Fresh sushi, nigiri and seared salmon rolls. Parking is medium.
Parking
MediumSmall shared lot for all three buildings — crowded at lunch and on Sundays, tricky to get in and out of; extra spaces behind the buildings.
Park once, walk to
- Kumi Sushi Grill Sushi · 4 min
- Nishiki Ramen Ramen · 5 min
- Mitsuwa Marketplace Grocery · 6 min
Walk times are estimates.
What to buy at Tokyo Central
- Karaage from the hot food case — reviewers call it the best around (about $4.50)
- Fresh sushi, nigiri and seared salmon rolls
- A build-your-own bowl at the Poke Rush bar
- Bento boxes, onigiri and Japanese sandwiches
- Milk-cream bread and fresh mochi (they sell out)
- Sushi-grade fish and Japanese rice to take home
Good to know before you go
Cost & paying
- Each building has its own registers — if you can't find something in one, check the others before you pay
- Stamp-card rewards on purchases; sashimi boats (about $55) can be ordered online four days ahead
Waits & timing
- Bentos and prepared foods are marked down about 20% in the evening; weekends bring the biggest spread of fresh food
- Shady tables out front for a picnic lunch, but no indoor seating
At the table
- Three buildings, one parking lot: fresh food and sushi; dry goods, snacks and a little Hawaii section; and Tokyo Central & Main (8111 Balboa, 10am-8pm) for anime, Gundam, Sanrio, cosmetics and housewares
- Imported goods run pricier than general markets — shop the sales
Tokyo Central vs other Convoy grocery
| Spot | Order | Price | Latest close | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Central | Karaage from the hot food case | $$ | 9pm | Medium |
| Mitsuwa Marketplace | Santouka ramen in the food court | $$ | 9pm | Medium |
| 99 Ranch Market | Live seafood: Dungeness crab, Maine lobster, Manila clams | $$ | 10pm | Medium |
| Zion Market | Marinated kalbi from the meat counter | $$ | 9pm | Easy |
Tokyo Central: quick answers
What should I buy at Tokyo Central?
Shoppers go for: Karaage from the hot food case — reviewers call it the best around (about $4.50); Fresh sushi, nigiri and seared salmon rolls; A build-your-own bowl at the Poke Rush bar; Bento boxes, onigiri and Japanese sandwiches.
Is parking easy at Tokyo Central?
Parking is rated Medium for this lot at peak times. Small shared lot for all three buildings — crowded at lunch and on Sundays, tricky to get in and out of; extra spaces behind the buildings.
What should I know before going to Tokyo Central?
Three buildings, one parking lot: fresh food and sushi; dry goods, snacks and a little Hawaii section; and Tokyo Central & Main (8111 Balboa, 10am-8pm) for anime, Gundam, Sanrio, cosmetics and housewares. Each building has its own registers — if you can't find something in one, check the others before you pay. Bentos and prepared foods are marked down about 20% in the evening; weekends bring the biggest spread of fresh food.
Tokyo Central hours
| Mon | 8am–9pm |
| Tue | 8am–9pm |
| Wed | 8am–9pm |
| Thu | 8am–9pm |
| Fri | 8am–9pm |
| Sat | 8am–9pm |
| Sun | 8am–9pm |
How to find it
Details checked October 2026. Wrong hours, closed, or changed? Report a problem