Fresh selection
Customers specifically praise the in-house sashimi and the quality of the fish selection.
Gourmet-Ya Trading (Japanese Food Store)
DIFC
Gourmet-Ya Trading is a compact Japanese grocery store in DIFC, useful for imported ingredients, frozen seafood and ready-to-eat shop-made foods. Reviews highlight its in-house sashimi and quick-dinner favourites such as karaage, korokke and katsu.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
101 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Ready meals
Shop-made karaage, korokke and katsu make practical options for a quick dinner during a busy week.
Helpful staff
Staff are described as helpful with product questions and can bring down frozen seafood stored upstairs.
Frozen staples
The frozen section includes fish, natto and edamame; one customer particularly enjoyed the kisu fish.
Station access
The shop is within walking distance of the station, which is useful if you do not drive.
Organised shop
Although small, the store is reported to be clean, well-organized and easy to browse.
Tips for a Better Visit
Check stock. Call or email before travelling for a specific item, since one website-listed product was unavailable in-store.
Ask upstairs. Ask staff about frozen seafood kept upstairs; they can bring down items and recommend fish for grilling.
Check dates. For chilled fresh products such as miso, check the expiry date before buying.
Use station. If you do not have a car, consider walking from the station rather than relying on parking.
Ask parking. Roadside parking is available, according to one review, so check nearby roadside spaces when driving.
Confirm payment. Check payment options before shopping; one customer believed the store accepted credit cards only.
Plan the visit
Practical details
1 - Shop 5, E-block Al Kawakeb Bldg - 1 Sheikh Zayed Rd - behind Lebanese Roaster shop
Trade Center Second - DIFC, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Popular Mentions
Inhouse made sashimi
The in-house sashimi is one of the store’s specifically praised fresh-food offerings.
Onigiri
Customers mention onigiri as a side dish, with one review praising its soft rice and flavour.
Miso soup
Miso soup is a named grocery find, alongside Japanese tea brands including Asage, Yuuge and Oi Ocha.
Frozen Mochi
The frozen mochi comes in flavours including red bean, mango and green tea.
Mentaiko
Mentaiko, or spicy cod roe, is one of the less usual products mentioned by shoppers.
Common Concerns
High prices
Several reviews describe imported goods as expensive, with one comparison claiming competitors were 30% cheaper.
Stock mismatch
The website showed an item as available, but it was out of stock when the customer visited.
Limited space
The store is very small, so the range can feel limited and browsing space is compact.
Date checks
One review found refrigerated fresh miso with only a month left before its expiry date.
Language limits
Staff do not speak Japanese, although another customer still found them very helpful.
DXB
LOCAL
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The Bottom Line
Gourmet-Ya Trading is a small Japanese grocery store in DIFC with a surprisingly broad selection for its footprint. You can shop for everyday essentials, imported snacks and regional products, or pick up ready-made food for a quick meal. Reviews especially mention in-house sashimi, frozen fish, onigiri and the shop-made karaage, korokke and katsu.
The fish selection is a strong reason to come. Customers mention kisu, frozen seafood, natto and edamame, while staff can bring down items stored upstairs and suggest Japanese fish suited to grilling. Miso, seaweed, rice and seasonings are also part of the basic grocery offering, and shoppers have found harder-to-locate items such as mentaiko, ramen sauce and Japanese ice cream.
Expect a compact shop rather than a supermarket-sized aisle plan. Prices are a recurring concern: one review cites cup noodles at 254 yen and konjac jelly at 606 yen, while another says comparable items elsewhere were 30% cheaper. Check chilled-product dates, particularly on fresh miso, and confirm stock before making a special trip because the website was once out of step with in-store availability.
Walk-in access from the station helps, and reviews say Dubai delivery is available.