JETAA Chicago’s Japanese Food Hook-up
Food & Drink 
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Getting our Japanese food fix in NYC, LA, SF, Seattle and even places like D.C., Portland and Atlanta is relatively easy. But what about the Midwest? The following article by JETAA Chicago Treasurer Todd Kaiser, which appeared in the Spring 2009 Issue of the JETAA Chicago Newsletter, is a helpful resource for any JET alums that end up in or plan to go to Chicago.
Todd Kaiser: Your Chicago-area Japanese Food Hookup
Need more natto for your superbowl party? Wanna stock up on Pocari Sweat for your marathon training? Here’s a quick list of places to buy Japanese food (and stuff) in and around Chicago:
Mitsua – www.mitsuwa.com – 100 E. Algonquin Rd. (Arlington Heights) – If you didn’t already know it, Arlington Heights is the Chicago suburb where a lot of Japanese people live and Mitsuwa is where they shop. Mitsuwa is a huge Japanese supermarket with authentic Japanese food and health & beauty products. Check out the Japanese food court, bookstore and CD shop.
H Mart – www.hmart.com – 801 Civic Center Dr. (Niles) – This Korean superstore is similar to Mitsuwa but newer, bigger and closer to the city. H Mart is Korean but you can find plenty of Japanese food too. There are a couple of nice ladies working at a table in the middle of the market making kimchi. Buy a big bag of it because it’s fantastic. Buy an extra bag and send it to me. Then check out the home center to pick up a hot carpet, bento box, rice cooker, and hamutaro slippers.
Chicago Food Corporation (Joong Boo Market) – www.chicagofood.com – 3333 N. Kimball – This is a smaller Korean market that also sells Japanese vegetables, rice, curry, natto, gyoza and more. Hit up the small food counter in the back if you’re up for Korean food. This market is small, older and crowded, but convenient.
Tensuke Market – 3 S Arlington Heights Rd (Elk Grove) – Tensuke is known in the J-community for a great seafood department and their sashimi grade fish is popular. If you can read Japanese, they also have plenty of J-Magazines. If you’re feeling really Japanese, stand there a few hours and read. No one will mind here. Try a sushi setto or donburi at the small restaurant in the back. Tell them I sent you.
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