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| - Sometimes shopping can be fun, sometimes it is a chore. However, shopping at Korea Mart is less chore-like and more fun. It is well laid out and large enough to have a variety of items to make it a one-stop store.
Korea Mart is what I would call a medium size grocery store. 85% of what is offered is grocery food, the other 15% are things such as small electrics, kitchen items, cookware, novelties and slightly harder to find items such as ceramic Ongi.
Although Korea Mart is focused mainly on Korean imports, you can also find food items from Japan along with a few foods from Mainland China and SE Asian Islands. This location occupies the entire southern portion of a strip mall, now called Asia Plaza. The main entrance is in the southwest corner and provides a large, spacious entryway, which is foyer-like. Once inside, there is a walk-up food counter where you can order food to go, or eat at the adjacent dining area with tables and chairs to the right of the counter, the grocery is to the left. There is also access to the neighboring Korean BBQ. The entry foyer has a feeling of a smaller Mekong Plaza.
Inside the store, the dry foods and grocery aisles are arranged in a longer narrow fashion in the center of the store. Refrigerated and frozen items are along the sides of the store, a fresh produce section is in between and a meat counter is along the back. The meat counter is pretty complete and offers many of the essential cuts, styles and types of proteins that are conducive to Korean cooking including beef, pork, chicken and fish. Frozen foods and alcohol are also represented, although not in great abundance, however sufficient in size for most people and, again, focusing on imports from Korea.
Noteworthy at Korea Mart is the variety of Banchan (fermented and pickled side dishes, such as Kimchi) that appears to be made on premises, or locally. There is also a larger selection of refrigerated Korean imported ready-to-heat-and-eat meals, including individual and family sized meal kits. There is also a large open-air refrigerated case offering several brands and sizes of Kimchi. I recommend the Ocinet brand, it's not very spicy but it's pretty darn close to the taste and flavor of homemade Kimchi . . . give it a try; you can buy a pint, a quart or a gallon.
Generally speaking, the prices are reasonable, and on par with other local grocery stores. The staff is friendly and attentive as well as conscientious when stocking the shelves by not blocking the isles with cases of product laying about the floor. In fact, each time I have been here, the aisles have been easily navigable and back stock free, which is nice change compared to some of the other Asian markets.
I find Korea Mart to excel in refrigerated Korean foods, frozen meals, sweet treats and their variety of Banchan, including Kimchi. I have also noticed a few snack foods, candy and shelf-stable items among the aisles that are not found in other Asian grocery stores.
Overall, I am glad we have Korea Mart as another choice for Korean foodstuffs. It rounds out and further expands the Asian Corridor of the East Valley. In addition, there is a lot else happening in this plaza. Other complementary businesses are opening nearby and drawing more customers to this previously depressed area. There has already been an Asian Food and Culture Festival held in the parking lot here, which is a positive given the close proximity to the now nearly defunct Fiesta Mall. However, with nearby Asiana Market relocating a bit closer, and in a larger space, and the possibility of H-Mart (an east coast Korean Grocer) opening in the old Albertsons store up the street, it will be interesting to see how Korea Mart matures. In the mean time, give them a visit.
Overall: 4 Stars
Quality: 4.5 Stars
Service: 4 Stars
Cleanliness: 3.8 Stars
Value: 4 Stars
Atmosphere: 3.5 Stars
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