A Guide to Asian Markets in Rhode Island

Where to go when a craving for authentic Asian food hits.

April 1, 2025

Dana Rae Laverty,

Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli specializes in Japanese food to go or for dining in. Photograph by Alex Gagne.

My kiddo and I have long been fans of Asian cuisine and culture. We’re especially obsessed with all things Japanese, and ever since we returned from a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, we’ve been trying to find the foods we enjoyed across the globe right here in the Ocean State.

We love to frequent the following markets when we’re craving sushi, melon pan, jasmine tea, onigiri or the unique snack foods — strawberry mochi! green tea KitKats! Ramune candy! — that helped make our trip so memorable. Itadakimasu!

Asiana Food Market

A selection of ramen noodles at Asiana Food Market.

This tiny store is packed with mainly Korean and Japanese goods, divided into neat, tidy aisles. Fresh produce, homemade kimchi and assorted bottled teas, coffee and sodas (yay Ramune!) line the perimeter, with frozen entrees, dumplings and mochi ice cream rounding out the offerings. You’ll find all manner of chips, snacks, rice, noodles, sauces, candies, cookies and teas in the aisles in between. If ramen’s your jam, head to the back of the store where you’ll find an endless selection of brands and spice levels. 92 Warren Ave., East Providence, 438-9992

Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli

When we want to feel like we’re back in Tokyo, Alex and I head to Maruichi. The prepared foods — super-fresh onigiri, chirashi bowls, sushi and okonomiyaki (a sort of savory Japanese pancake) — are delicious, and you can also order up fresh meals at the prepared food counter and eat them at the small cafe area. Fruit jellies, so ubiquitous in Japan but so hard to find in Rhode Island, are always tempting and well-stocked. The store also carries all the usual savory and sweet snacks and candies, bottled drinks and sushi-grade fish. Don’t miss the fresh-baked goods like melon pan and fruit sandos on the weekend; they alone are worth the visit. 113 Washington St., Providence, 773-9331, instagram.com/maruichiprovidence

V-Mart International Market

With 22,000 square feet of shopping space, exploration is the name of the game at V-Mart International Market, which specializes in Vietnamese and other Asian specialties. This is the place to go if you need Asian vegetables you can’t find anywhere else: think big shrink-wrapped packages of Thai basil, bean sprouts, lemongrass and bok choy, along with plentiful seafood and meat sections. Need a wok or a good noodle bowl? V-Mart also carries plenty of utensils and cookware to help prepare your authentic Asian fare. 176 Narragansett Ave., Providence, 461-0613

Y Maru Maru

When you’re craving something sweet or crunchy, Y Maru Maru — sister store to Y Noodle Bar and Y Shabu Shabu — is sure to have something that satisfies. It’s stocked with Japanese chips and crackers, Calbee potato snacks, Hello Kitty branded sodas, several varieties of ice cream, cooking wines and vinegars, ramen, prepared bao and more vegetarian options. It also carries beautiful bowls and sake vessels crafted in Japan, and even takoyaki pans, in case you want to try your hand at making the popular street food filled with octopus and slathered with Kewpie mayo and bonito flakes. 267 Broadway, Providence, 473-0169, instagram.com/ymaru_maru