An Oasis in Toronto: Where to Go When You Miss the Taste of Japan
As your time in Toronto stretches on, it’s natural to start craving the “taste of Japan.” While local burgers and pizzas are delicious, sometimes you just desperately want a bowl of white rice with furikake or a nostalgic Japanese snack. For long-term expats and international students, a historic Japanese grocery store in downtown Toronto becomes a powerful ally.
In this article, we dive deep into the charm of this “savior” for Japanese living in Toronto and share essential 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 hub of Toronto’s cutting-edge culture—and Claremont Street, you’ll spot a vibrant building featuring a massive mural depicting classic Japanese scenery. This is Sanko Trading Co., an institution that has supported Toronto’s Japanese community for over half a century since its founding in 1968.
Run by the William Mizuno family, stepping into this store feels like traveling back in time to a cozy, nostalgic local shop in Japan. It’s a beloved local landmark, with some fans having shopped here since their working holiday days 30 years ago. The staff offer incredibly kind and polite service, creating a comforting and reassuring space for international students who might be feeling a bit homesick or anxious about their first time living abroad.
Tears of Joy for Expats: An Impressive Selection of “Exactly What I Needed”
While you can buy soy sauce and miso at the large East Asian supermarkets along Spadina Avenue, Sanko’s true appeal lies in its perfectly curated, niche selection of items that Japanese people genuinely want.
For example, many face the “no thinly sliced meat” problem when cooking at home in Canada. While local supermarkets mainly sell block meat, Sanko offers precious, perfectly sliced meat—a lifesaver when you want to make nikujaga (meat and potato stew) or sukiyaki.
Furthermore, their snack selection is enthusiastically supported by international students through word-of-mouth. The shelves are packed with authentic Japanese snacks that haven’t been localized for North America, such as Otoko-Ume gummies, Candemina, and Wasabi Kaki-pi. From handmade onigiri (rice balls) perfect for lunch to a wide variety of furikake, ponzu, dressings, and fish paste products, the store is stuffed with essential items for a Japanese dining table, instantly curing your homesickness.
Smart Shopping: Balancing Sanko with J-Town in the Suburbs
When searching for Japanese food in Toronto, Sanko is often compared to J-Town, a Japanese shopping center in the Markham area (a Toronto suburb). In terms of pricing, Sanko is a bit more expensive due to its downtown location, so if you’re looking purely for cheap prices, J-Town has the edge.
However, Sanko’s greatest strength is its overwhelming accessibility. Located right in the heart of downtown, the convenience of easily dropping by on a TTC streetcar after school or during a weekend shopping trip is priceless.
A smart, standard routine for long-term residents is to bulk-buy at J-Town on weekends if they have time, and use Sanko to restock daily essentials like ponzu, grab a treat-yourself snack, or pick up suddenly needed sliced meat. For international students without a car, Sanko’s presence is especially dependable.
Perfect for Gifts and Introducing Japanese Culture to Canadian Friends!
Sanko isn’t just about food; they also boast an incredibly rich selection of traditional Japanese ceramics and tableware, including rice bowls, teacups, and chopsticks. Their authentic lineup of teas (including matcha and green tea) is so impressive it’s exciting just to look at.
It’s the perfect spot when you’re looking for a small gift or hosting local Canadian friends for a home-cooked Japanese meal. The store even features helpful, color-coded English guides explaining how to choose the right soy sauce for different purposes (e.g., for sashimi vs. cooking), showing great consideration for those unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine. Why not bring your friends here on a weekend, take some photos in front of the mural, and guide them through a slice of Japanese culture?
