This Is My Favorite Food in New Jersey—This Is The One Place You Have to Go to Try It

One of the reasons I'll probably never move out of New Jersey is the Garden State's incredible culinary scene. We're one of the most diverse states in the country, and every group that's made New Jersey their home over the centuries has left their mark on our cuisine and culture. That means I'll never run out of options, but if I had to pick one that's my favorite, it's got to be Japanese food. Seafood-forward and fresh-tasting, it comes in a wide variety of styles.

Usually, restaurants dedicate themselves to perfecting one part of the cuisine, be it sushi, ramen, udon, or teriyaki, but when I feel like a little bit of everything, I head to my culinary happy place in Edgewater: Mitsuwa Marketplace. This sprawling supermarket isn't just home to the best selection of Japanese food in New Jersey; it's home to a mall-sized food court serving some of the best Japanese food in New Jersey!

The largest Asian market in New Jersey, Mitsuwa Marketplace is a sprawling destination for Japanese food. It isn't just an amazing spot for shopping—it might be the best Japanese dining destination in Edgewater.

My first stop when I arrive is always the food court, which has around 10 stalls serving just about every Japanese food you can imagine. There's a ramen stand, a tempura stand, a stand-alone sushi purveyor, and even hard-to-find specialties like Chinese-Japanese fusion.

It's not always easy to pick what I want, but I usually gravitate to the rich and sweet Japanese curry or the tempura soba, which has perfectly fried shrimp in a light, salty broth.

When I'm done eating, I usually head to the market to pick up some of my favorite Japanese snacks and soft drinks, as well as several delicious rice balls stuffed with salted salmon.

Of course, it's impossible to leave without getting dessert, including one of the delicious red-bean-stuffed fish-shaped cakes known as Taiyaki.

Have you visited Mitsuwa Marketplace yet? If not, tell a friend about this article and try the best Japanese food in New Jersey for yourself - you might be able to try more dishes that way! You can see the weekly specials on the Mitsuwa Marketplace website and the Facebook page of this Japanese supermarket in New Jersey, and while you're in town, check out some of my other favorite things to do in Edgewater. If you're staying in town for the night, I always recommend the Homewood Suites by Hilton Edgewater, a beautiful waterfront hotel with roomy suites and a complimentary breakfast buffet.