Lack of Big Asian Grocery Stores in SF City (San Jose: neighborhood, live)

[Radical347]

Given SF’s demographics, why is there such a lack of big Asian Grocery Stores here? To me this is one of the most puzzling things about the city.

I have to go to Daly City for some place like 99 Ranch or Kukje. Most of the Asian Grocers in SF are corner stores. Even ones like New May Wah Are corner store-esque...just slightly bigger than the others. And they still close too early.

The only one I can think of that might qualify is Manila Oriental Market in the Outer Mission, but they are poor quality. H Mart has allegedly been about to open for the past two years but on Alemany Blvd which might as well be Daly City.

I’ve heard that it may be due to SF not being a big box type place...but that’s hasn’t stopped Safeway or Whole Foods from being everywhere.

[Ruth4Truth]

It's true. There's no Uwajimaya in SF, like there is in Seattle/Bellevue (two stores). Maybe they should expand into the Bay Area market... Maybe the rents are too high in SF. Notice that Safeway & WF are huge national corporations. They have more capital to work with, and more flexibility across their system.

Also, if they were to chase cheap rents, it would be a little odd for there to be a Uwajimaya or equivalent, in the middle of Chinatown. Maybe out on Geary?

[thedwightguy]

T & T Supermarkets have been a mainstay in Vancouver, BC and one store in Calgary for years. Loblaw's bought it for 4 billion from the Chinese lady that started it out of HK. It's quality, live fish, Japanese crackers, and all kinds of specialty Asian items but not low end. Prices are fantastic, very good value. Service is great. Surprised they haven't taken their model to the USA market.

[mojo101]

We have 3 H marts in Houston,one is in Chinatown.
They are always looking,taking over closed supermarkets .

[Natnasci]

Originally Posted by thedwightguy

T & T Supermarkets have been a mainstay in Vancouver, BC and one store in Calgary for years. Loblaw's bought it for 4 billion from the Chinese lady that started it out of HK. It's quality, live fish, Japanese crackers, and all kinds of specialty Asian items but not low end. Prices are fantastic, very good value. Service is great. Surprised they haven't taken their model to the USA market.

Love T&T. It looks like they acquired Osaka Supermarkets as well.

I think they would do very well in the US.

I also love H Mart, which is a US chain that has stores in Canada.

I'm surprised SF doesn't have these large Asian stores in the city.

Someone in SF ( or Canada ) should seize on this opportunity if they can.

Anyone know why not?

[HappyinCali]

H Mart is opening this month.

There is also a pretty decent sized Japanese store in Japantown

https://www.hmart.com/ourstory/category/grand-open

[SFBayBoomer]

There is Nijiya market in San Mateo and also at 1737 Post St. in San Francisco. You can sign up for their mailing list of sales, but it will help if you read Japanese, although most items are also pictured on the flyer.

[SFBayBoomer]

There is also Mitsuwa Marketplace in San Jose at Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129-2052
Phone: +1 408 255 6699.

There is a Kinokuniya Bookstore at Mitsuwa in San Jose, and there is also a Kinokuniya at the Japan Center in San Francisco.

[18Montclair]

I prefer neighborhood, mom n pop stores tbh and the city has no shortage of those, but Im excited that HMart is finally coming here, although I love the Korean supermarket in Uptown Oakland.

[18Montclair]

Oh also look at Pacific East Mall in Albany(or Richmond), it's all Asian restaurants and stores, Ranch 99 being the anchor...in Berkeley there's also Tokyo Fish Market, pretty awesome.