Keep Portland Weird

3. Anzen Hiroshi Japanese Market

Portland, OR

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Anzen Hiroshi Market has an intriguing history in this area spanning generations, in times of war and times of peace. The Japanese Market has been open in Portland since 1904 when the Portland neighborhood of Old Town had one of the country's largest Japanese populations. Only during the internment of World War II was the shop unable to continue bringing fresh Japanese food and gifts into Portland. The continuous operation of Anzen's Market was stopped when the owner was temporarily forced to return to Japan and had all of his assets frozen for the duration of the war. When the opportunity came for him to return to the United States, Portland's mainstay Japanese grocery came back, too. Back in business today and celebrating over 110 years, it offers everything from whole octopus to a variety of Ahi and staple Japanese cooking ingredients like enoki mushrooms and lotus root. In addition, gifts and trinkets from Japan are available throughout the store. Despite being in business for over a century, the shop is still a mom and pop stop and you will be welcomed through their doors. It is a historical wonder and amazing cultural centerpiece for Portland, so don't be shy, step inside and gaze upon the dusty shelves of imported Japanese goodness!