Fumiko Yokoyama is the always smiling owner of Daruma, a bright, clean Japanese market which has been going 10 years. The shelves are filled with pickles, bottles, jars of sauce, and there's a good selection of very fresh vegetables. In the cold cabinets you'll find fresh yam, shirataki and other types of noodles, along with various kinds of tofu. There are frozen dumplings, rice cakes and Japanese ice creams in the freezer and a selection of fresh pastries. If you have any cooking questions, Mrs Yokoyama is always willing to help. Her selection of freshly made sushi is good and if you want to make your own, the fish - salmon, octopus, tuna, squid, mackerel - is in peak condition.

But it's also a great place for lunch, with a broad menu of cooked-for-you soups filled with a choice of goodies, curries, noodle and rice dishes as well as fried and breaded pork cutlets and shrimp. 

Daruma Japan Market, 6931 Arlington Rd # E, Bethesda, 301 654 8832.

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