ANH HUYỀN QUÁN – Anh Huyen Shop Vietnamese Grocery Store
📍 Address: 2-5 Okinomachi, Shinjo, Yamagata 996-0023, Japan
Located in Shinjo City, northern Yamagata Prefecture, ‘ANH HUYỀN QUÁN (Anh Huyen Shop)’ is an Asian grocery store that enjoys enthusiastic support from local Vietnamese international students and technical trainees. Despite its cozy size, the store offers over 500 varieties of multinational foods, primarily from Vietnam, but also from Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
The interior is remarkably clean and well-organized, making it easy for first-time visitors to find what they’re looking for, which is a great plus.
What stands out here is the high quality of their fresh and frozen foods. Imported vegetables and fruits are consistently kept fresh, and frozen meats and fish are stored hygienically. For long-term residents looking to recreate the ‘taste of home’ through home cooking, having a ‘mini-supermarket’ that offers safe and high-quality ingredients is incredibly reassuring.
This renowned store has such a strong reputation for product quality and customer service that repeat customers travel all the way from the Yamagata City area.
Su-chan
📍 Address: 1-4-1 Kobayashi, Higashine, Yamagata 999-3710, Japan
‘Su-chan,’ located close to Sakuranbo-Higashine Station, is a local grocery store abundant in fresh ingredients and Asian spices. It stocks specialty ingredients not easily found in regular Japanese supermarkets, such as Kabemera (shallots), lemongrass, and various spices, making it a strong ally for locals and foreign residents who want to cook authentic ethnic cuisine.
The store also has a reputation for delicious dishes and sweets it offers. Its special tapioca milk tea and sweets have been served at community events organized by groups like the Vietnamese Association in Yamagata, making it widely recognized and beloved within the prefecture’s Vietnamese community.
With its welcoming atmosphere and product lineup that perfectly meets consumer needs, it’s a truly charming spot.
Bánh Mì 329
📍 Address: 2-1-11 Hatagomachi, Yamagata, Yamagata 990-0047, Japan
Located on the first floor of Stage Hachiyama, behind Yamagata City Hall, ‘Bánh Mì 329’ is a specialty shop for Bánh Mì (Vietnamese sandwiches) that has quickly gained enthusiastic fans since its opening in 2024. Run by a cheerful and warm couple from Vietnam, it perfectly recreates the authentic taste of Hanoi right here in Yamagata.
The most popular item is the ‘Bánh Mì 329 (Special),’ generously filled with homemade char siu, pâté, and namasu (pickled daikon radish and carrots). The crispy yet easy-to-bite French baguette exquisitely blends with ethnic aromas and the richness of pork liver pâté. When ordering, you’ll be asked about the amount of cilantro – for an authentic taste, we highly recommend ordering ‘a little extra’!
Furthermore, a set with sweet and rich Vietnamese coffee (with condensed milk) is the ultimate combination. Traditional dessert ‘Chè,’ packed with coconut milk and fruits, is also available. There’s only one parking space in front of the store, so if you’re coming by car, consider using nearby coin parking.
Shopping Center Yoshida (Yoshida no Oniku – Yoshida’s Meats)
📍 Address: 3-7-40 Jonanmachi, Yamagata, Yamagata 990-0827, Japan
After stocking up on ethnic ingredients at a Vietnamese supermarket, let’s also explore Japan’s meat scene, which supports daily meals. ‘Shopping Center Yoshida,’ located in Jonanmachi, Yamagata City, is a community-focused supermarket with the concept of ‘an exciting shopping street where meat is the star.’ As a store that developed from a butcher shop, its balance of meat quality and price is among the best in Yamagata Prefecture.
Especially noteworthy are the special offers on Yamagata Prefecture-produced Kuroge Wagyu, which provide astonishing value for money that surprises international students and long-term residents. Beyond those who prefer to cook, busy days are made easier with a variety of handmade deli items. You can enjoy the pinnacle of Japan’s ‘osozai (ready-made side dish) culture’ at reasonable prices, including hearty minced meat cutlets (menchi katsu), surprisingly thick yet tender fillet katsu sandwiches, and addictive fried chicken skewers.
Fresh vegetables and fruits from Yamagata Prefecture are also on display, making this undoubtedly the strongest local supermarket recommended for foreign residents who want to get delicious Japanese ingredients at affordable prices.
Tips for Enjoying Yamagata’s Deep Food Culture
While Yamagata Prefecture might strongly evoke images of ‘soba,’ ‘ramen,’ and ‘fruits,’ in recent years, with the increase in foreign residents, the number of Asian grocery stores and restaurants offering authentic flavors has been steadily growing.
If you casually drop by a supermarket that handles local ingredients (like a Vietnamese supermarket), it’s like stepping into a miniature Asia. You’ll find unfamiliar herbs, frozen whole chickens, and vibrant spices, giving you a sense of a small trip.
A major highlight is communicating with staff and other customers, asking ‘How do you eat this?’ All the shops introduced this time are known for their warm service, so why not enjoy cultural exchange while getting cooking advice?
