An Oasis in Toronto: Where to Go When You Miss the Taste of Japan
The longer you live in Toronto, the more you inevitably crave the “taste of home.” Local burgers and pizzas are great, but sometimes you just desperately want a bowl of white rice with furikake or the nostalgic Japanese snacks you grew up with. For expats and international students, a long-established Japanese grocery store in downtown Toronto comes to the rescue.
In this guide, we will dive into the charm of this “lifesaver” for Japanese people living in Toronto, along with practical local shopping tips you need to know.
Sanko Trading Co.
📍 Address: 730 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E8, CanadaAt the intersection of Queen Street West—the heart of Toronto’s cutting-edge culture—and Claremont Street, you’ll spot a vibrant building covered in a massive mural depicting traditional Japanese motifs. This is Sanko Trading Co., an iconic establishment that has supported Toronto’s Japanese community for over half a century since its founding in 1968.
Run by the William Mizuno family, stepping inside this store feels like traveling back in time to a warm, nostalgic neighborhood shop in Japan. It is deeply loved by the local community, with some dedicated fans having shopped here since their working holiday days 30 years ago. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, offering a comforting and welcoming space for international students who might be feeling a bit anxious about their first time living abroad.
Tears of Joy! An Impressive Selection of “Exactly What You Wanted”
While you can buy soy sauce or miso at the large East Asian supermarkets along Spadina Avenue, the true appeal of Sanko lies in its perfectly curated, niche selection of items that Japanese people genuinely want.
For example, many people who cook for themselves in Canada face the “no thinly sliced meat” problem. Local supermarkets primarily sell large blocks of meat, but Sanko offers precious thinly sliced meat, which is an absolute lifesaver when you want to make dishes like Nikujaga (meat and potato stew) or Sukiyaki.
Furthermore, the snack selection has garnered enthusiastic support among international students. You’ll find a wide array of purely Japanese snacks that haven’t been localized for North America, such as Otoko Ume gummies, Candemina, and Wasabi Kaki-pi. Packed with essentials for the Japanese dining table—from delicious handmade onigiri (rice balls) perfect for lunch to various kinds of furikake, ponzu sauce, dressings, and nerimono (fish cakes)—Sanko will cure your Japanese food homesickness in an instant.
Smart Shopping: Choosing Between Sanko and J-Town
When looking for Japanese food in Toronto, Sanko is often compared to “J-Town,” a Japanese shopping center in the Markham area (a suburb of Toronto). In terms of pricing, Sanko is slightly more expensive due to its prime downtown location, so if you’re purely looking for cheaper prices, J-Town takes the win.
However, Sanko’s greatest strength is its “overwhelming accessibility.” Located right in the middle of downtown, the convenience of being able to easily drop by using the TTC (streetcar) on your way home from school or while shopping on the weekend is invaluable.
A standard strategy for savvy long-term residents is: “Buy in bulk at J-Town if you have time on the weekend, but stock up at Sanko for everyday items you run out of, like ponzu, treat snacks, or suddenly needed thinly sliced meat.” For international students without a car, Sanko’s presence is especially reliable.
Perfect for Gifts and Introducing Japanese Culture to Canadian Friends!
Sanko doesn’t just sell food; it also boasts an incredibly rich selection of traditional Japanese tableware and ceramics, including rice bowls, teacups (yunomi), and chopsticks. Additionally, their authentic tea lineup (matcha and green tea) is exciting just to look at.
It’s the perfect place to shop when hosting local Canadian friends for a Japanese homemade meal or when looking for a small gift. Inside the store, you’ll find helpful color-coded explanations in English on how to choose soy sauce based on its purpose (e.g., for sashimi, cooking, etc.), showing outstanding thoughtfulness for friends who may not be familiar with Japanese cuisine. On your next day off, why not bring your friends along, take some photos in front of the mural, and give them a tour of Japanese culture?