Food
For quality grocery store sushi, head to these supermarkets.
Market Basket sells sushi at its grocery stores. Katelyn Umholtz/Boston.com
It ain’t fancy, but it’s sometimes just what you need: Grocery store sushi is the ultimate “in a pinch” lunch that we’ve all relied on at least once.
And sometimes around Greater Boston, it can even be quite decent.
We polled our readers on Boston.com and on social media about where their craving for grocery store sushi takes them.
There were some humorously unhelpful answers:
“That’s like asking which airline has the best middle seat.”
“What a gross idea.”
“Trick question.”
Others shared where they don’t go, including a few respondents that urged others to avoid the sushi at a supermarket chain owned by the most famous e-commerce company in the world.
But most of our readers gave us their genuine recommendations. Starting with the most popular, here’s where readers get their grab-and-go sushi at area supermarkets.
Wegmans
The New York-based supermarket chain came out on top. Given that this is Boston, this top-pick is controversial, but Wegmananiacs (translation: Wegmans fans) swear by the prepared food selection at this grocery store chain. A New York City location of Wegmans even has a fancy sushi restaurant inside of it.
“It tastes closest to restaurant rolls,” said Kathy B. on Facebook. Another reader, Brandi B. of Revere, recommends the Philly roll.
Locations in Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Medford, Northborough, and Westwood
Market Basket sushi in Somerville. Katelyn Umholtz/Boston.comMarket Basket
The controversy continues — Massachusetts’ beloved Market Basket came in second — behind New York’s Wegman’s — for its grocery store sushi. But given its smaller sushi selection, it goes to show the admiration Bostonians have for the Lowell-born grocer. As a Boston.com reader once said: “Basket ‘til the casket.”
Multiple locations throughout New England
Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli in Brookline. Katelyn Umholtz/Boston.comMaruichi Japanese Food & Deli
A specialty store known for selling Japanese goods — Maruchan yakisoba, various sake, and Amaou strawberries, for example — is also known for its high-quality grocery store sushi, according to our readers.
“Maruichi hands down. A bit pricey, but their mini chirashi is so good and actually a pretty good deal,” said Maya F. on Facebook.
“Quality is consistently high, and the presentation always enticing,” said Franc W. on Facebook.
Locations in Brookline and Arlington
Katelyn UmholtzFood and Restaurant Reporter
Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com. Katelyn is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter.
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