Nijiya Market Sawtelle

Surprisingly, this Japanese grocery store offers a surprisingly great selection of sashimi, sushi and bento boxes that make for a great, non-sad supermarket sushi lunch. Compared to American grocery stores, the vinegared rice used in the sushi here usually isn’t gloppy or overcooked, and Nijiay also tends to stock a few chirashi bowls for those craving variety beyond the usual yellowtail, salmon and tuna cuts. The large drink and snack selection make it easy to customize a budget-friendly Sawtelle lunch; if available, pick up a can of royal milk tea, which combines the creaminess of a standard (boba) milk tea with a bolder, slightly toasted black tea flavor.