This was one of the first big Oriental grocery stores that opened out here in the PHX area. It was always a thrill and very exciting to drop in and check out all of the funky cool stuff.
These days there are other big stores just like this one and they are much better in my opinion. Something about the sweet smell of sanitizer and the fresh scent of juicy meat cases makes this place somewhat undesirable. Whooaa!
Usually come here for only a few items. Most of the others you can get at one of the other similar stores in Mesa or Chandler. They are cleaner and items seem to rotate faster off the shelves.
OK ... So I've been going Crazy with my latest cooking obsession at the house. Authentic Chinese is what I'm reproducing and this store is the only one that has several different types of Broad Bean Paste with Chilies.
I even got a little cozy with a couple chefs in Mesa and they let me look at their sauce jars. It is always good to actually see the label itself.
Picked up all three of the popular brands on my last visit. See photo. The one on the left is used by a really good Bejing noodle place and the one on the right is used by a tasty restaurant in a popular Asian food court.
Each one has a different flavor profile and you can't get them on Amazon. I just had to go Crazy and get all of them. Something about fermented Chiles in a jar makes me want to dance.
Who knows ... maybe I'll be the next Chinese Iron Chef on the Food Network. Eat your heart out Chef Chen Kenichi. AND THE WINNER IS ... ?
2.75 STARS