Asian grocery stores outdo Kroger and Walmart when it comes to diverse goods. I mean, where else can I pick up Cinnamon Toast Crunch, instant ramen, bok choy, dragonfruit, cow tongue and strawberry-flavored Pocky after a warm bowl of pho at the in-store food court?
North Texas has six notable grocery Asian stores that supply all that and more.
Of course, many come with their own uniquenesses: H Mart focuses on Korean; Hong Kong Market emphasizes Vietnamese and Chinese; Ranch 99 is the Asian-fusion grocery store. Here's a look at the perks of six Asian grocery stores in our area.
H Mart
Located in Carrollton, H Mart is more like a mini-mall than a grocery store. Not only does it have a wide variety of food selections -- bokchoy, bacon-flavored soda, eels and much, much more -- there are multiple boutiques and a store dedicated to Hello Kitty. Need a snack while you're shopping? Head to the food court for sushi, or to the bakery, called Tous Les Jours, for macarons.
2625 Old Denton Road, Carrollton. 972-323-9700. hmart.com.
3320 K Avenue, Plano. 972-881-0300. hmart.com.
JusGo Supermarket
This Plano store sells food shipped from China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries. JusGo offers some of the best prices in the D-FW for items like cow tongue and seaweed. Outside the supermarket, there's a cute crepe shop and a store where you can purchase nearly anything and everything Hello Kitty. (Yes, more Hello Kitty!)
240 Legacy Drive, Plano. 972-517-8858.
Ranch 99
Ranch 99 stores were once only located in California and the Houston area. When Ranch 99 landed in Plano in 2010, it was one of the first Asian grocery stores in Dallas-Fort Worth. It has a Japanese soda wonderland and a sprawling bakery. Pork and cheese bun, anyone?
131 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. 972-943-8999. 99ranch.com.
Truong Nguyen
At first glance, Vietnamese superstore Truong Nguyen may appear simple and small, but it's actually a produce wonderland. Items for sale include various fruits such as jicama, longan, lychee and Japanese pumpkins -- all ready to land on your dinner table. The fish are very fresh; you can practically smell the ocean.
3555 W. Walnut St., Garland. 972-276-1185. facebook.com/pages/Truong-Nguyen-Supermarket.
Hiep Thai
This Vietnamese grocery store is directly across the street from Truong Nguyen and is a bit like a mini-mall, similar to Hong Kong Market. In here, you can browse the extensive Asian candies -- go for the lychee jelly, it's the best -- and also check out the meats and seafood. They've got all kinds of live seafood, including fresh crabs and catfish, and their beef is superior to any mainstream grocery store's. When you're done with food, buy some Vietnamese DVDs in the video store or treat yourself to some boba tea.
3347 W Walnut St., Garland. 972-272-1993. hiepthai.com.
2430 E Pioneer Pkwy., Arlington. 817-1311. hiepthai.com.
Hong Kong Market
How many grocery stores have a food court where you can also swing by for a hair cut in the salon? Hong Kong Market first opened in Grand Prairie in 1985 and later opened a second store in Dallas. This Asian superstore specializes in meat and seafood -- check out the oxtail, pig head and massive red snappers -- but also has an extensive selection of dried fruits and herbs. If you exit the grocery store near the front, you'll enter the food court. There you can buy pork buns, pork skin, duck meat or vegan cuisine.
9780 Walnut St., Dallas. 972-437-9888. hkmkt.com.
2615 W Pioneer Pkwy, Grand Prairie. 972-988-8811. hkmkt.com.
Look inside several of the Asian grocery stores in D-FW:
