Sunrise Mart Soho: A Japanese Grocery Gem with Bento & Snacks
At 494 Broome St, New York, NY 10013 (☎ 212-219-0033), Sunrise Mart Soho is one of NYC’s most beloved Japanese grocery stores. While smaller in size compared to big-box supermarkets, this outpost makes up for it with authenticity, variety, and charm. Its storefront blends into the artsy streets of SoHo, marked by subtle signage and glass windows that hint at shelves full of imports. Inside, it’s bright, efficient, and neatly stocked, with the scent of fresh curry and grilled meat drifting from the prepared foods counter. Shoppers include Japanese expats, SoHo creatives, tourists exploring downtown, and locals who have made Sunrise Mart part of their weekly routine. Beyond the store, they have a robust online presence at sunrisemart.com, plus delivery via UberEats, Postmates, and Order.online.
Menu & Services
This Sunrise Mart location excels in both pantry items and prepared meals:
-
Onigiri (rice balls): Salmon, tuna mayo, umeboshi ($2.50–$3.50).
-
Bento boxes: Katsu curry, teriyaki chicken, grilled mackerel ($9–$14).
-
Hot foods: Japanese curry, donburi rice bowls, noodles like udon and soba.
-
Grab-and-go sushi: Rolls from $6–$10.
-
Snacks and sweets: Pocky, mochi ice cream, matcha desserts, seasonal KitKats.
-
Drinks: Canned coffee, Pocari Sweat, Calpico, and bottled matcha tea.
Unlike the Midtown branch, this store has a larger upstairs dining area, making it a great spot to sit down with a hot meal or bento. The prices remain approachable ($1–$22 range), especially considering its SoHo location.
Review Summary
Sunrise Mart Soho boasts a 4.5-star rating across nearly 940 Google reviews.
Positive highlights:
-
Strong variety of Japanese groceries and snacks.
-
Bigger than Midtown, with seating for eat-in meals.
-
Affordable, fresh bentos and hot meals.
Critiques:
-
Small by NYC supermarket standards—aisles can feel packed.
-
Peak hours (lunchtime, early evening) bring lines at the hot foods counter.
Human Commentary
The Soho location offers something special: an expanded eat-in experience, making it more of a hybrid grocery-and-lunch spot than its Midtown sibling. The critiques are typical for NYC—crowding and limited space—but that’s the trade-off for having a Japanese grocery in the heart of SoHo, steps from art galleries and boutiques.
Location & Accessibility
Sunrise Mart Soho is just a few blocks from Canal Street subway (A/C/E, 1, N/R/W, Q, 6), making it convenient for both downtown commuters and tourists.
Nearby landmarks bring diverse customers:
-
SoHo Shopping District – Shoppers stop for a quick, authentic lunch after browsing boutiques.
-
Friends Apartment on Bedford Street – Tourists often wander through SoHo en route to this photo spot.
-
Washington Square Park – A short walk north, attracting NYU students who swing by for affordable meals.
-
Blue Note Jazz Club – Post-concert crowds often crave hearty, late-night food nearby.
-
The Comedy Cellar – Another late-night hotspot sending comedy-goers searching for Japanese bites afterward.
With hours running 11 AM–8 PM, Sunrise Mart Soho caters perfectly to lunch and early dinner crowds, though there’s untapped potential to catch the post-show crowd with later service.
Genius Marketing Analysis
GI (Genius Insight): Sunrise Mart Soho is not just a store—it’s an experience, offering both shopping and dining in one stop. For locals, it’s comfort and reliability; for tourists, it’s a taste of Japan in SoHo.
MDA (Marketing Action): Emphasize the eat-in space as a cultural lunch hub, and leverage SoHo’s heavy Instagram tourism by promoting photogenic bentos and unique Japanese drinks.
Genius Ideas (10)
-
SoHo Bento Lunch Club – Prepaid meal pass for locals who work nearby.
-
Tourist Snack Kit – Packaged mix of Japanese chips, mochi, and bottled tea for visitors.
-
SoHo Shopper Fuel – Bento + drink combo marketed as a quick shopping break.
-
After-Jazz Specials – Discount on bentos and hot meals after 8 PM for Blue Note concertgoers.
-
Matcha & Mochi Happy Hour – Afternoon snack deal, perfect for tourists between gallery visits.
-
Onigiri Art Collab – Partner with local SoHo artists to design limited-edition packaging.
-
NYU Student Discount Days – Promote weekday deals to draw steady student traffic.
-
Cooking Demo Saturdays – Teach shoppers how to make miso soup or curry with ingredients sold in-store.
-
Seasonal Bento Series – Limited-edition bentos tied to Japanese festivals or seasons.
-
SoHo Social Media Wall – Create a photo-friendly backdrop upstairs to encourage Instagram tagging.
Conclusion
Sunrise Mart Soho isn’t just a Japanese supermarket—it’s a neighborhood anchor. With its expanded hot food offerings, upstairs seating, and shelves filled with authentic imports, it captures both the spirit of Japanese daily life and the energy of downtown Manhattan. Whether you’re a SoHo creative looking for a quick lunch, a tourist exploring the neighborhood, or a local hunting for Japanese staples, Sunrise Mart offers a little taste of Tokyo in NYC.
Q & A
Q: What are Sunrise Mart Soho’s hours?
A: Open daily, 11 AM–8 PM.
Q: What’s the price range?
A: $1–$22, with bentos typically $9–$14.
Q: Do they deliver?
A: Yes, through UberEats, Postmates, and Order.online.
Q: What’s a must-try?
A: Katsu curry bento, onigiri, and matcha desserts.
Q: Is there seating?
A: Yes, the Soho location has an upstairs eating area.
#SunriseMartNYC, #JapaneseSupermarket, #JapaneseBento, #FreshSushiNYC, #JapaneseSnacks, #JapaneseGroceries, #RamenLovers, #SashimiPlate, #JapaneseDrinks, #NYCFoodies
