New market opens this weekend in Providence
Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli will have a grand opening on Saturday, April 20, at 113 Washington St., Providence. The market’s first event is a gyoza tasting with Berkshire pork potstickers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It was just in February the Asian food emporium announced its first store in Providence, promising rows of grocery items as well as prepared foods, including sushi, drinks and sweets. They are in the space occupied by Rory’s Market for a year until its October 2023 closing.
The grocery chain is part of Fuji Mart Corp. which is based in Stamford, Connecticut. They opened their first market in 1991 in Connecticut. They have since expanded to New Jersey and Massachusetts, where they have two locations in Brookline and one in Arlington.
Joshua Nakama, vice president of Fuji Mart Corp., said the opening was quick as the market space suited their needs. He said they changed the signs and logos but that was all that was needed. They have hired a local staff.
He said he expects their customer profile to cover a broad swath.
“While Japanese food was certainly a niche market even just 10 years ago, Japanese culture has become much more mainstream,” he said.
“As a result we anticipate seeing anybody who’s looking to introduce some new ideas or ingredients into their cooking.”
“Our main goal is to bring in the Providence and Rhode Island community,” he said.
What does Maruichi sell?
Maruichi boasts a variety of prepared foods. Nakama said their onigiri (Japanese rice balls) are the most popular product.
“We do also sell quite a bit of sushi and donburi, rice bowls topped with different proteins,” he said.
Other prepared foods will include sashimi, bento boxes, seaweed salads and other specialties from Japanese cuisine. The in-store café will serve Japanese snacks, matcha lattes and Japanese coffee and teas.
The grand opening includes a sale of the bag of gyoza that will be tasted. They come frozen and are prepared at home.
Follow the opening news on Instagram @maruichiprovidence or online at maruichius.net.