Diablo Oriental Foods

I was referred to Diablo Oriental Foods when I was on the hunt for sushi grade fish. The parking was a little weird and the store was hard to maneuver around in since it was packed full of products but all in all it was a great experience. The fish was great and we picked up a few other fun items to try as well. I would definitely go back!

Always has everything I need for my Japanese cooking ! We are so limited with Japanese products on this side of the bay. With Jana mart closed for many many years now, Diablo is all we got ! I mean there’s 99 ranch I guess, but they don’t carry all the goods. And I hate driving/​parking there, and maneuvering my way around a ton of people like I’m at Costco or something.
Anyways, great little store :) been coming here with my okaassan for a super long time.

Like everyone else has mentioned, Diablo Oriental Foods is really cramped and packed with food and random products inside. The store is very easy to drive by and miss so keep your eyes open!
It’s run by one guy and he did not say much to me. There are lots of things you cannot find in your average Safeway, so it could make for an interesting grocery trip.

They have a good selection of Hawaii products. I was so ecstatic when I found FRESH Taro Brand poi on the counter near the register. They have fresh poi every Thursday. I will definetly be back!!!

Good prices, and nice selection of high grade tuna. My favorite rice cracker mix (Hapi) is around 1.00 cheaper here than at the market. Will return when additional supplies are needed.

This place has what you’re looking for. The man working was really nice to us (unlike what I read in other comments). He helped us make our perfect shabu dish. It’s not the most gorgeous store, but it’s got what you need. Well done, sir.

It’s hard to imagine the variety and quantity of food products that this store carries. But the organization of food products on the shelves is somewhat chaotic due to the small floor space. So you better be prepared to come with a shopping list, and know exactly what you need beforehand.

I enjoy cooking some Asian dishes and decided to make a couple of dishes from the Slanted Door. I couldn’t find all the ingredients in the Asian section of my supermarket, so I used Unilocal to find an Asian market. This store is small but extremely well stocked and the guy working there, I assume the owner, was very knowledgeable but not terribly friendly. It is an odd little place, looks like an old run down Oriental stand from Disneyland. The building is dated, more from the time when Americans were not very politically correct or savvy about Asian culture. There is an area for an outdoor stand, I assume they once sold some hot food there, but it is long boarded up. The store is located on a strip of Main Street (contiguous with Contra Costa Blvd) without many retail stores. I gave it 4 stars because it is a great store for specialty items but not extensive enough to be a real «food» store. You’ll need to make another stop elsewhere to get all you need to make dinner.

Came in 5 min before closing… i never made sushi before. In and out in 15 min feeling very confident and well equipped to make my sushi! Thank you so much for all your help! Very friendly, patient and assisting.
The tuna was amazing!!! Haven’t tried the yellow tail yet ;)
Customer for life :)

small but packed of good asian products! I really love the place and the prices are very reasonable.

Small place PACKED with everything you need for Asian cooking. It’s the only place I could find kecap manis, an essential for Indonesian cooking. Very nice people.

Three words: kaffir lime leaves! This is not the most user-​friendly store, I would never have found the leaves on my own in this cramped little space. The lime leaves are packaged 10 to a packet and kept in the fridge near the check-​out counter. No galangal, unfortunately, so it wasn’t a one-​stop shop, but I’m still happy I don’t have to drive to Berkeley for lime leaves anymore.

I went there reading all the good reviews, and was seriously disappointed. Tokyo Fish Market in Albany, or Otto’s in Sacramento would be 4 stars, NOT this place. In short, even with a long drive, I would go to Albany for Japanese items, and I would skip this place altogether.
First– quality is thumbs down.
I bought two chunks of sashimi grade tuna. Ahi was ok, but the yellowtail was fishy and going slimy. I could eat it only with sriracha.
Two– overpriced.
I also bought some makisushi and inarisushi. I was shocked at the price– $ 4 per roll? We are not talking about sushi with fish, but seasoned rice and veggies. (Unless you count fishcake as fish, but that’s like saying hotdog is steak.) Total $ 28 for less than 0.5lbs of fishy tuna and sushi with no fish. I could have gotten a sushi plate for two at other Japanese groceries, and would have been so much more satisfied. Money not well spent.
Three– service.
Well, non-​existent. I agree with other reviewers who said that the guy gives «a short smug response» with no advice or recommendations.
Four– claustrophobic
I’m not going to say it’s an aisle– it’s a disgrace to the word «aisle.» Space between the shelves are so narrow, that a person has to back out if another person wants to pass. My wife decided to wait outside because the place was stressing her out.

Day after Christmas with the gf and little one to pick up stuff for ramen. Asked the guy what kinda noodles were in the unmarked wrapper telling him I was looking for stuff to make ramen expecting some advice or recommendations. Nope. Just a short smug response «they’re egg noodles». Cool no prob.
Kept shopping for stuff, gf asked him how to differentiate all the sakes, «try em all». OK dude, we’ll buy every single bottle of sake, pound em, drive back here and let you know how we liked them.
Gf asks him if they sell bags (we forgot our reusable ones, gasp!), he says «yeah, this is Walnut Creek». Paid for our stuff (which in hindsight I should of just left) and left. Thanks DICK.
They have all the stuff you can’t find at normal markets but probly won’t go back due to the dickish factor.

I LOVE this store. It has lots of fresh produce and quality ingredients at a great price! At the same time you’re supporting a local business.
Service is friendly and attentive and often things are less expensive than the tiny «Asian» food isles at Target or Safeway.
Everything about this place is win win!

Sambal badjak. Indonesian hot sauce common amongst the Dutch, apparently. I was introduced to it from my Dutch friend. Diablo Foods carries the same brand, Conimex, that she introduced to me. I have no idea how the Indonesian or Dutch use the sauce, but I use it with boiled Chinese dumplings (sue giao). Yum!
So, DF also carries such goodies as shiso leaves to serve with sashimi, Japanese candy, and curry.
I am invariably driving down North Main, and I suddenly spot it … And somewhat safely veer into the steep driveway and lot. Then, I happily browse in the small grocery store.
Yum!

Darling Japanese mom & pop shop for all things specialty Japanese. My hapa friend took me and said she’d been coming since she was a little girl. The store has been around since the ’60’s and it looks that way inside out too!
Some cool finds: ceramic Japanese made children’s rice bowls, Kewpie brand Japanese mayonnaise (score!), Japanese brand soy powder for making mochi @ home, and fresh sushi grade ahi tuna. Though the store carries some fresh fish, you wouldn’t be able to tell cause the fish is fresh. Will be back for the mayo!

I first started coming here with my dad before I can even remember. This place has been around for so long! It was originally owned by the father of the family but then passed on to his two sons. I’m not sure exactly when it was established but my dad has been going here since he was a kid and that’s post 2^nd world war timing. This place is like a store front pulled straight out of a post WW2 documentary and makes me remember all the hardships Japanese Americans had to face, not just socially but even in getting food for soul comfort. I’m thankful for small Japanese ma&pa stores like this. I will continue to support stores like this over stores like Mitsuwa or Marukai (although I live those stores as well).
Suggestion: Thursdays they make Inari and futomaki. Yummmm. They also carry Nisshodo’s chichi dango; a special hawaiian mochi hard to find on mainland.

Diablo carries a little bit of everything japanese:
–sashimi
–sake
–vegetables
–snacks, pastries, ramen, udon
–condiments, sauces. drinks.
–magazines,.candies,
–ceramics, etc.
buy: iced tea (.75),
nonfried miso ramen (1.09)
–nice tender thin noodles
–soup base not so miso but some msg, slight aftertaste.
notes:
–very cramped inside, merchandise stacked neatly
–not sure if prices competitive, u need it, u pay the price…
–a few parking spaces in front.

ONE YEAR LATER (MINUS ONE DAY) I AM HAPPY TO UPDATE AWAY
Still the same great guy behind the counter (though, not a man of many words). I like to ask how to prepare things — he’s kind of vague but «yes» and «no» answers are fine with me.
I stopped in here today for some seaweed salad ($ 3.95) and left with these cold, fried shrimp ($ 5.95) that remind me of one of the plates they bring you at Korea House. I also bought some quail eggs (10 for $ 1.95), shisito peppers ($ 2.95), and enoki mushrooms ($ 1.95).
The produce looks fresher than usual right now ! That’s good, right?!