The Neighborhood Has Changed, But Central Fish Remains A Staple In Fresno's Chinatown

KVPR | By Laura Tsutsui

Published April 16, 2019 at 1:42 PM PDT

Larry Tsutsui and his mother, Satoko Tsutsui, wait for their fish order at Central Fish, a Japanese American grocery store in Fresno's Chinatown.

When it comes to fulfilling the needs of a neighborhood, the neighborhood grocery store fills a big role. In Fresno’s Chinatown, that store has been Central Fish. It’s been in the community since 1950, carrying the usual kitchen staples one might expect. But the place also has some unexpected treasures.

Satoko Tsutsui and Laura Tsutsui with their finished meal: sukiyaki (a Japanese stir fry dish with beef and vegetables) and sashimi (sliced, raw fish).

Listen above for an audio postcard about this grocery store that has outlasted a few of its Chinatown neighbors.

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Laura Tsutsui

Laura Tsutsui was a reporter and producer for Valley Public Radio. She joined the station in 2017 as a news intern, and later worked as a production assistant and weekend host. Laura covered local issues ranging from politics to housing, and produced the weekly news program Valley Edition. She left the station in November 2020.

See stories by Laura Tsutsui