The local supermarket in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, "Maruoka," is where I got the deli bread and sweets

The author, who loves Gunma Prefecture, headed to the local supermarket "Maruoka" located in Takasaki City. Upon entering the small store located in a supermarket battleground, there were many appealing products on display.

Driving along Prefectural Route 25 towards Takasaki's local supermarket "Maruoka"

The author often visits Gunma Prefecture for drives, camping, fishing, and hot springs. On this day, the destination is the local supermarket "Maruoka," which is not a tourist attraction. This supermarket, which prides itself on food safety and security, frequently comes up as a local store in Gunma, and its non-chain operation and carefully selected products piqued my curiosity, prompting me to make the drive there.

I head towards the store located in Takasaki City from Tokyo, speeding down Prefectural Route 25.

Maruoka
1174-1 Munetakacho, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture

What surprised me on the way was the massive Aeon Mall right in front of me. Additionally, there was a large supermarket called JA Farmers to the south, indicating that this area has quite fierce competition. Since Maruoka is operated as a single store and not a chain, the fact that it is located in such a competitive zone gives it a distinctive presence.

Despite these concerns, the parking lot was nearly full on a weekday morning, and the store was bustling with activity. The items on display were all things I had never seen in the neighborhood, showcasing a commitment to selection.

In contrast to the affordable selection at Aeon, Maruoka seems to position itself as a high-end supermarket. Incidentally, when I mistakenly lined up in the wrong lane, a cashier called me over. The consistently cheerful hospitality was also impressive.

I tried buying delicatessen bread and sweets that embody the essence of Maruoka

Among the various options, I decided to choose Maruoka's original products that are easy to take home. Although I bought them intending to eat at home, I was eager to try the delicatessen bread, so I opened it and ate it in the car.

The delicatessen bread in the picture above is "Spicy Mushroom" (248 yen). The crunchy mushrooms match well with the spicy miso-like seasoning. It’s very delicious! I couldn’t tell if the bread is made in-house, but I felt that the quality of Maruoka’s delicatessen bread, which focuses on food, is indeed high.

All three sweets I brought home are delicious

Now I will try the original sweets from Maruoka that I brought home.

This is "Purple Flying Bean Daifuku" (370 yen), a type of bean daifuku. After the soft texture of the mochi, the subtle sweetness of the filling spreads out, giving it a refined taste. The saltiness of the beans adds a good accent, and I think if it were said to be from a long-established wagashi shop, there would be no sense of discomfort at all.

"Maruoka Snack Baum" (642 yen). Although there are whole Baumkuchen available, I decided to buy a cut piece to try various sweets. I always thought Baumkuchen was a dry snack, but this one is moist and has a nice elasticity.

Looking at the ingredients, it seems they have used domestically produced wheat flour and butter for all the main components. I can feel their commitment to quality in the ingredients.

"Iriomote Island Brown Sugar Candy" (367 yen) has a flavor of brown sugar and a modest sweetness, offering a gentle taste that appeals to both children and adults.

On Maruoka's website, they state "Only safe and delicious products for the dining table," and just by eating their original products, I feel a bit healthier.

A tour of local supermarkets where you can encounter delicious items

On this day, I whimsically aimed for a local supermarket in Takasaki, and it led me to drive to a place I wouldn't normally visit, where I was able to encounter delicious treats. I feel that Maruoka's carefully selected products have broadened my understanding of food.

When you want to drive to places that aren't tourist spots, why not aim for a locally loved supermarket like this?

Interviews and text / Kazuma Tanaka

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