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Finding good Japanese ingredients in the UK has become much easier over the past decade. There are now dedicated Japanese grocery shops in several UK cities, and the range available online has grown a lot. Here is a practical guide to where you can shop, both in person and online.
Japan Centre
Japan Centre started as a single shop in London and now has branches in several locations and a well-stocked online shop. They carry a wide range of Japanese groceries, fresh ingredients, and specialist items like Japanese short-grain rice, different grades of miso, dashi stocks, and a good selection of noodles. The online shop ships across the UK.
Japancentre.com online
If you are not near a Japan Centre physical shop, the website covers most of what you would need. Stock levels vary but the staples — rice, soy sauces, mirin, sake for cooking, noodles, and tinned and dried goods — are generally reliable. Delivery times and costs are standard for UK online shopping.
Wing Yip
Wing Yip is primarily a Chinese grocery chain with large warehouse-style shops in Birmingham, Croydon, Manchester, and Neasden in London. Their Japanese ingredient section is smaller than Japan Centre but they stock miso, Japanese-style soy sauces like Kikkoman, and Japanese rice. The shop itself is worth visiting if you are nearby — the range of Asian groceries across all cuisines is very large and the prices are good.
Sous Chef
Sous Chef is an online shop aimed at home cooks who want specialist ingredients. Their Japanese range includes kombu, katsuobushi (bonito flakes), different types of miso, yuzu juice, Japanese sesame paste, and some harder-to-find fermented and pickled products. Prices are higher than at Asian grocery shops, but they stock things you will not easily find elsewhere in the UK.
Amazon and large supermarkets
Kikkoman soy sauce, Clearspring miso, and a handful of other Japanese staples are now sold in larger Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose stores. The range is small but the convenience is useful for a few basics. Amazon stocks a broader selection and, for shelf-stable items, can be a practical option if you are not near any of the above shops.
Local Japanese restaurants and shops
Many UK cities with a Japanese community have small independent Japanese grocery shops attached to restaurants or on their own. These are worth finding if you have one nearby — the stock is usually very specific and well chosen, and the staff often know the products well. A quick search for Japanese grocery near your city will usually turn one up.
What to buy where
For everyday staples (rice, soy sauce, mirin, noodles), Wing Yip and large Asian supermarkets offer the best value. For specialist ingredients (dashi kombu, Japanese pickles, regional miso varieties), Japan Centre or Sous Chef are more reliable. For convenience on a handful of basics, large supermarkets now cover enough to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tesco sell Japanese ingredients?
Larger Tesco stores carry a small range of Japanese-adjacent products including Kikkoman soy sauce, sushi rice, mirin, and noodles in the world food aisle. The range is limited compared to a dedicated Japanese grocery shop.
Can I buy Japanese groceries online in the UK?
Yes. Japan Centre ships across the UK and has one of the widest online ranges for Japanese ingredients. Sous Chef stocks harder-to-find specialist items. Amazon UK carries a range of shelf-stable Japanese products including soy sauces, miso, noodles, and rice.
What Japanese ingredients can I find in Waitrose?
Waitrose typically stocks Kikkoman soy sauce, Clearspring miso paste, mirin, rice vinegar, Japanese short-grain rice, noodles, and panko breadcrumbs. The range varies by store size.
Is there a Japanese supermarket in the UK?
Japan Centre has physical shops in London and a national online shop. Smaller independent Japanese grocery shops exist in cities with larger Japanese communities, including London, Edinburgh, and Manchester.
Shop this
- Japanese short-grain rice. The right rice for sushi, katsu curry, and most Japanese dishes.
- White miso paste. Mild and versatile; used in soups, marinades, and dressings.
- Kikkoman naturally brewed soy sauce. A widely available Japanese-style soy sauce found in most UK supermarkets.
- Mirin. A sweet rice wine used in Japanese cooking for glazes, sauces, and broths.
