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99 Ranch Market
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Food Bakeries Grocery, Ethnic Food, Bakeries [Edit]
140 W Valley BlvdSan Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 307-8899
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
117 reviews for 99 Ranch Market
Review Highlights
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"Dragon fruit, durian (if you're into it), lychees, jack..." In 4 reviews -
"The produce selection is amazing." In 30 reviews -
"This is one great store for Asian cooking supplies." In 4 reviews
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117 reviews in English
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Review from Cate T.
4/28/2012
I write this from the perspective of someone who has absolutely no familiarity with Asian markets.
It was an eye-opener. After getting lost on the way here for god-knows-how-long, I was determined to go up every single aisle and drink in this expansive market full of goods.
I had come for a specific type of tea, and while I didn't find it, my mind bulged with the the sheer quantity of produce and meat and seafood and rice and noodles and tea and bakery goods and prepared foods this market had to offer.
The produce actually looked amazingly great for the most part, though the mangoes were ridiculously wrinkled and sad (probably great for a mango lassi). The meat area was a real eye-opener.
I've always had the impression and heard that "Asians use all parts of the animal."
While this a very broad saying (and sometimes can be used rudely), I have to say that I was impressed to see how right the line was in this case.
The biggest shock for a very Americanized woman like me was to see the extent of pork parts that were sold.
Like... Pork Uterus.
Yes.
Pork Uterus.
I found myself only very slightly horrified, but I was also extremely fascinated. Nothing like understanding how different cultures use animals and plants for their food. It also makes you realize just how wide the range of cuisine must be. Americanized Chinese and Japanese and other Asian foods are so limited.
I will say that I was extremely close to buying some produce... extremely close to buying some pork buns... extremely close to buying thinly sliced pork and beef and marinated short ribs from the Custom Made Shabu section in the meat department.
However, I reined myself in for the fact that I did not have a chill chest to put the shabu meat in, and I was going to wander all the stores in the area.
SO CLOSE.
If you can get past the range of smells pocketed around the market, it's a brilliant experience, and the quality of a lot of what the offer in produce and meat and other areas of non-processed foods is pretty astounding.
I would definitely come back here if I had a purpose in mind, but wandering around is never a bad option, either.
I've got to say that I'm a fan of the 99 Ranch Market. -
Review from Willis W.
San Gabriel, CA
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Parking: Can be a pain because it gets full really fast and pedestrians walk as if they don't care or know that a car going at 2 mph can hurt them.
Asian super market with free samples on the weekend. Good luck trying to find parking during the weekend since everybody is either shopping or going to dim sum. -
Review from David W.
5/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I love how this 99 ranch has seats for people to sit.
The aisles are cramped especially with carts. Do NOT wear slippers here or I guarantee you'll be slammed with the cart and it hurts like a MOFO....
There are some feisty people at the meat section.
The workers there were yelling at my poor grandma.
Sad...T_T
You can't blame her for not being quick enough or loud enough.
I will give props to 99 ranch for having exotic grocery items from Korea and Japan. -
Review from Tony M.
Arcadia, CA
5/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Gets quite noisy, but a lot more selections than other 99 ranch markets.
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Review from Lyn F.
Pasadena, CA
4/25/2012
I like coming here to buy the Shiseido Tsubaki shampoo and conditioner! A better deal than buying at the smaller asian shops! :)
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Review from Adhi T.
Arcadia, CA
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I come here every week to buy Alta Dena milk for $3.89 a gallon. No other store I know of (besides maybe Alta Dena itself) sells it for that cheap.
Produce is also fresh and they frequently have asian veggies for 33 cents per lb.
Seafood is a crapshoot, depending on what's on sale. Usually when they have a deal on certain fish, the product tends to be abundant and fresh.
They need to work on store cleanliness and clutter, as well as check out systems to speed them up. Otherwise it's a great value for shoppers!
Oh, and they're the only supermarket chain in CA that blast Chinese/English bilingual product sales in between instrumental Christian songs. Quite unique. -
Review from Wan L.
12/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to pick up ingredients for Hot Pot/Shabu! Fresh veggies, Tofu, fish balls, even ones with roe, My fav! They have the best cuts of beef, prime! Marbled and very tender. It's a little pricey, $17.99/lb but its totally worth it! They have a huge selection of fresh and live seafood. I feel bad for the fish, they get whacked in the head with a mallet, ouch! Poor fishy :'(
Big, clean supermarket with everything you need to prepare a great meal. Avoid coming during the weekend. Lines will be long and parking is a pain! Don't forget to check put their bakery for delicious pastries after you check out. The pineapple custard bun is good! -
Review from Monis R.
Los Angeles, CA
11/8/2011
The Chinatown in Los Angeles is quite different than the one in New York. Here's the difference, when you are in Manhattan and you want some good Chinese food you go to Chinatown (right next to Little Italy). In Los Angeles, you skip Chinatown all together and go to an entire valley called San Gabriel. Any Angeleno and tourist will tell you so.
Valley Boulevard is a main street in San Gabriel where you can't go wrong. You pass the city of Rosemead off the I-10 and start to see colossal Asian supermarkets like 99 Ranch Market and Hawaiian Supermarket.
The Hawaiian Supermarket is in a plaza all on it's own. 99 Ranch Market however consists of a little shopping plaza filled with a Chinese banquet hall and a shop that serves Taiwanese stinky tofu. If that may sound odd to you, it's because you're not Taiwanese. Don't worry, it sounds odd to me too (I'm a white guy), but I do want to try it.
The only thing I have to compare 99 Ranch Market to is a Mexican supermarket in Phoenix, Arizona called Pros Ranch Markets. I honestly don't think it's a coincidence both ethnic supermarket chains share similar names.
Whereas when you walk into Pros Ranch Market, you are entering Little Mexico. There is no English. The same goes for 99 Ranch Market but with a helluva lot more Asian flare. I don't think you'll stumble upon any Spanish in this joint.
The patrons are working class Asian families. More specifically, Asian mothers and grandmothers shopping together. Why am I telling you this?
Because like it or not, this if a fucking good thing. Looking at these women, you could tell that this place has the good bits. You can tell that they've been shopping here for a very years and are not going to change by going to a Ralph's, Von's, or even worse...Whole Foods.
First stop was the produce aisle. Bought some stinky durian, dragon fruit, star fruit, and a Korean pear. I bought the fruit all based on looks. The Korean Pear looked so cute wrapped in tissue paper and the dragon fruit was a tropical fish.
I haven't eaten the durian yet, it's still frozen in my freezer, but I can say that the dragon fruit tastes similar to kiwi with a little sugar on top. The pear and star fruit are juicy and delicious mother fuckers which you think came from the Garden of Eden itself.
You won't find Uncle Ben's in the rice aisle. You will find bags larger than the stuff they put charcoal in filled with white and brown grains of goodness. My favorite section, fish.
I've been to the wharfs in San Francisco and New York, and the whole fish and bottom feeders were more lively and much cheaper in 99's tanks. I particularly fancied the crayfish. I'm a sucker for those babies. I love looking at their beady eyes and cracking their exoskeleton in half slurping up their inside guts. It's quite pleasant. The fishy smell doesn't go outside the this department either.
Frog legs and chicken feet, this place has them too. Also, incredible frozen dumplings. The type of dumplings that are the Second Coming. Yes, they're that good.
Which dumplings are they? Who the fucks knows? You're talking to a white Gringo here. But I can assure you, pick a package of any dumplings and they're going to be that damn good. -
Review from Squirrel C.
West Los Angeles, CA
11/9/2011
By far the busiest (non-holiday) market I've ever been too.
Visiting here on a Saturday after lunch is like going to a regular supermarket the day before Thanksgiving. There's this frenzied mass of shoppers all clamoring to get either what they need or what everyone is going for at the moment (like chestnuts or asian pears). It's as if shoppers don't necessarily need it, but they feed into the excitement of everyone grabbing for the same item.
Add into the mix, free sample stands and you have traffic jams all over the place.
What I like about this location is the large selection, fresh turnover of product, prices and the meat and seafood counter. They had, on a Saturday, a grip of employees working behind the counter. Quick service with good prices. -
Review from Aimer S.
Los Angeles, CA
3/26/2012
The fruit is fresh and cheap. I really enjoyed the mangosteen and dragonfruit.
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Review from Harvey L.
Rosemead, CA
3/14/2012 2 photos
Best food court ever! Cheapest duck you will ever find, and cheapest combo meal ever as well! 4 items combo for only $5.50! Will come back for sure!
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Review from Laura S.
10/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I didn't write a review for this place?!?!
Oh I thought I did.
Well... this place is great on the inside... it's when you get outside - NIGHTMARE.
Asians driving and walking around everywhere. You think you can move, but then a random Asian person will walk in front of your car. Parking on some days can be hellish because of the Dim Sum place nearby. Sigh...
But when you go inside - it's neat and has lots of good Asian products. I usually get my Thai products here...
Not much Korean products - go to a Korean market because the Korean foods here are jacked up way high.
Overall... pretty good. -
Review from Kenneth M.
San Gabriel, CA
11/18/2011
This is the place to be to buy Chinese food stuff. Things I buy here usually are seaweed, red bean ice bars, instant noodles, some fruits and asian canned food drinks such as grass jelly. They also sell a lot of Chinese cooking products raw that you must put together if you know how to cook Chinese cuisine.
Be prepared to speak Chinese. If you do not speak Chinese, be prepared to use sign language or hand gestures or elementary english. (Or use the person behind you to help translate) . -
Review from Joyce Y.
10/21/2011
I can't believe I went on a Saturday afternoon at noon to go grocery shopping here! Oh my goodness...it took forever! I've learned my lesson. Never go grocery shopping on the weekends at asian markets! I literally waited about 1-2 hours just at the meat selection alone just to get my ground pork! I was waiting for them to call my number (I think they were at the old round of numbers at #80) and I was like #20 and some other guy came up later and picked up his number and he was #62. He was like, for real?!? In my head, I said, yep. I've been waiting here since before noon!
If you don't speak chinese, it's a little intimidating since I'm not sure if they can understand you if you speak english.
This market is super CROWDED. And parking definitely sucks.
But I think this place is a bit cleaner than the 168 market. Fruits and veggies are more expensive, too, but not as expensive as American markets. -
Review from John A.
Las Vegas, NV
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
fresh seafood and great prodcuts from all over that makes making dinner so hard to choose want you want to make.....
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Review from Sonia T.
Thousand Oaks, CA
2/20/2012 5 Check-ins Here
The lady's room needs some major improvement. Befor that happens, just hold it while you go shopping there.
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Review from Lisa C.
8/18/2011 18 Check-ins Here
Stopped in to pick up a few items. This isn't my usual 99 Ranch, but I have to say I like it much better. For one, this place is clean (the aisles, produce, seafood/poultry). Also, it's larger in comparison to the 99 Ranch in Arcadia, Hacienda Heights, and Gardena. There were plenty of checkout lanes open. Aside from items to stock up your fridge with, there is a Japanese to go food stand, Chinese to go food stand, bakery, and a bank located all within the grocery store. Pretty convenient! Not to mention, 99 Ranch is cheaper than most American grocery stores!
ps. I love me some (On-Choy)! -
Review from Stewart L.
Los Angeles, CA
10/9/2011
What the hell are we doing writing a review for a supermarket? Not like you're going to read these reviews and change your mind about going to buy the necessities that every asian needs, WHISKEY.
WARNING: For all the millionaire asians driving 1992 honda accords and 1988 toyota celicas, WE KNOW you cleaned this place out of Johnny Walker Blue Label @ $130 a pop. It's like it dropped from $170 to $130 and every hood millionaire asian cleaned the damn place OUT.
To my surprise, I went here wanting to pick up a bottle for a special occasion and inventory was ZERO bro.
Even the Johnny Walker GOLD LABEL was LOW. Who are you damn asians cleaning these asians OUT?
Good news, Johnny walker black label is still on sale for $21.99 with two glasses. As if I didn't have enough free glasses, this is still a steal considering that most other places sell it for $3-4 higher with NO free JW glasses. -
Review from Debra C.
6/2/2011
This 99 Ranch Market is cleaner than most.
Bring home a prepared Roast Duck (think they're $12 or $12 bucks including tax) and eat it barbarian style at your kitchen counter while facing away from your hungry dog.
That's what I do.
You will be pleased. -
Review from Kristin E.
Los Angeles, CA
9/17/2011
Finding Enoki Mushrooms and Bok Choy at Ralphs = not possible.
Ranch 99 Market: Possible.
Ranch 99 Market, Thank you for having my Asian cooking needs here.
If only they could build one closer to me. -
Review from Maggie C.
Believe it or not sometimes I cook. Not too often because I'd rather go find me a new restaurant and yelp it. This is the supermarket where I get my fresh ingredients for my homecook meal.
This place is always packed. Usually I buy fruits, vegetables, meats and seafoods from this place. I also fill my shopping cart with spices, eggs and snacks. I love I-Mei brand taro waffers, wasabi cassava chips, phoenix rolls and Van Houten chocolates. Don't forget instant noodles, frozen buns and canned food for emergency.
Too lazy to cook? Want to impress someone with "homecook" meal? Pick up the food from its fast food counter (got my roasted quails here). Or you can pick the fish you want and ask them to fry it for you free of charge. Put it in the microwave and serve it on your pretty serving plate. You're welcome ;)
99 Ranch also has pre-packaged sushi and juices, a bakery, a lottery scratcher vending machine and a bank inside the supermarket. Customer service desks also sells lottery. You can even pick up orchids at this place. Sometimes they have these ladies who make mochi in front of you. Very convenient. One time I won a sweepstake and they gave me 4 tickets for a circus. At the end of they year they give you free calendar.
Parking is always packed but you eventually find parking. It is crowded but seriously not too bad.Listed in: Lottery
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Review from Anthony C.
Los Angeles, CA
8/18/2011
If you're new to this place be warned: the parking lot is terrifying, people love to crash into one another in this plaza.
The asian goodies and foods that they have here are amazing. The produce, the meat men, the alcohol they've got some amazing stuff here. Also, the cooking isle, where I usually spend most of my time, is the best part. I buy my chopsticks, 7$ cleavers, woks, bowls...you name it. -
Review from Chris L.
Los Angeles, CA
12/31/2011
This 99 Ranch used to be my go-to for an Asian market, though I now go to another market across the street which I find much less expensive and less crowded. That being said, I've always thought the produce and fruit here are pretty fresh and the seafood and meat are decently priced. They have pretty much everything you'd need to put together any sort of Asian inspired meal. It's pretty darn crowded inside so don't wear flip flops or you'll find your toes run-over at some point.
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Review from Share W.
6/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's a pretty huge space that was sectioned off to it's designated products properly.
The fact that they had so many variety of balls...and I mean fish or meatballs, i was flabbergasted. Fish roe? I spied with my own eyes 6 different types.
The live/on ice seafood area is open and clear, warranting any clean freak to be at ease. The selection is also very impressive. You know what, same goes for the fruit and veggies as well. Don't know what dragon fruit looks like? Go here....ok, you can probably Google it. But if you want hands-on, go here! Want some Durian that doesn't stink the high hell (or is that a bad thing?)? Go here.
Pricing is decent and I rather go to Asian supermarkets for the fresh veggies, fruits, and meats. -
Review from Michael W.
La Verne, CA
11/4/2010 1 photo
Dear god the parking here sucks!
Really the 99 Ranch in CH is so much nicer and cleaner than this one. Not to mention diverse.
But they do have a bigger selection of seafood. I will give them that. 4.99 a pound for fresh lobster!
But its just crazy here. I dont have any desire to come backListed in: I heart seafood., San Gabriel
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Review from Tani O.
Los Angeles, CA
1/4/2011 4 Check-ins Here
What can I say? It's just like any other big-chained Asian supermarket out there. The heavy smell of Asian produce when you walk inside (lol). That should say it "all". =)
Oh, parking can be a b*tch unless you're like every other typical Chinese person with a handicap placard (lol). -
Review from Laura T.
5/16/2011
*Disclaimer: Hot Pot Review*
My mother loves grocery shopping here, especially for night that we have hot pot for dinner. We always here for their thin sliced beef ($6+). So delicious! They also sell assorted hot pot items, packages of pork, beef, fish and squid balls. Assorted veggies as well customer for hot pot usage.
When the weather is gloomy, raining or slightly cold, it is the best weather to hot pot. Automatically, the idea of hot pot will take over and you will freak out! Or, that's just me.
The parking in general at 99 Ranch is always packed due to the other stores around. I think the best time to grocery shop here is either earlier in the day before all the shops open. Or towards the end, when a lot of the smaller stores are closed.
They have a membership system, same as Vons and Ralphs. With their saving card, you would get additional savings on top. And every so often they will send you a flyer.
Overall, this is still a typical Asian markets amongst Valley Blvd., nothing too fancy other then its prices.
Oh yea, something I always thought was funny, you can take the carts out of the parking lot. There is always some guy at all entrance and exits just waiting and watching. -
Review from Peter D.
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is where I pick up Almond Crush Pocky and Honey Dew soymilk. Yum. I go either really early or late just to get a parking space. It's ridiculous on the weekends just because of the dozens of other stores and shops. Great place to pick up Asian cooking ingredients and appliances. It's super bright and clean which contrasts the old and dirty shopping carts. Ying and Yang, I suppose.
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Review from Lisa Q.
Los Angeles, CA
5/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This 99 ranch is relatively new. It is big and spacious with clean, neatly organized aisles. There are a lot of specialty foods and products. The produce section have a HUGE variety of vegetables it really boggles the mind. I brought a friend here for the first time last week, and she compared it to being at a botanical garden or something because she didnt know half of the produce and meats here. Who knew there are 4 types of spinach and 10 types of apples?
The only grip i have about this place is they don't carry any variety of bread! You won't find any Sara Lee's or Wonder bread here. They do offer some bread from a local bakery which is pretty tasty, but a lil on the pricier side. They have interesting flavors like red bean, cheese, and of course, regular white and wheat. -
Review from Marc L.
9/22/2010 2 photos
Happy Mid-Autumn Moon Festival! September 22, 2010 is date for this year's autumnal equinox, and in honor of the holiday I'm writing a review about one of the go-to places to get moon cakes- 99 Ranch Market in San Gabriel!
Ahh, moon cakes... The Chinese counterpart to the Christmas fruitcake. These 1000-calorie pucks of joy are enjoyed by Chinese and Vietnamese families around the world. Here in Southern California, you can get a variety of moon cakes, high proof Chinese alcohol (BAI JIU), and various other holiday goods at 99 Ranch. Of course, aside from the Mid-Autumn Festival, this particular branch of 99 Ranch is bustling all year 'round.
I don't know if it's official or not, but ask around and you will find that the San Gabriel 99 Ranch Market is essentially the FLAGSHIP 99 Ranch in Southern California!
It goes without saying that the produce and sundries here are fresh and affordable. My favorite aspect of this particular branch of 99 Ranch is its quality "hot deli" section- I posted pictures in the photo section! You can buy savory pastries like green onion pancakes, as well as delicious lunch boxes prepared for your consumption. If you've read my other reviews, you know how much I love Taiwanese pork chop rice, and they sell a mighty tasty pork chop rice at the San Gabriel 99 Ranch... and only for $2.99.
$2.99?! That's like half a value meal at McDonalds!
Random fact - during college football season, you'll see numerous people wearing the Cardinal and Gold buying groceries at the San Gabriel 99 Ranch after a USC football game. There's tons of students from Taiwan and China at USC, and if you know Chinese people, you know we like a good ruckus!
Fight On San Gabriel 99 Ranch Market!Listed in: Believe the Hype, $20 a Day
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Review from Belinda S.
Los Angeles, CA
9/4/2010
Bakery inside 99 Ranch market. Average selection and prices. Some specials on select items.
Tried the mango cake and mocha cake. Both were not too sweet but also not too flavorful. -
Review from Andrius A.
Los Angeles, CA
12/10/2009
Home sweet home. I love this place and I regret betraying them by going to that wack Hawaiian market. Phooey!
Give me: seaweed, dumplings, mochie, mock meat, tofu, soybeans, steamed buns, noodles, and some sesame oil.
Sure - go ahead and stare at me.Listed in: grocery shopping
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Review from Ken K.
3/7/2008
I wish ALL 99 Ranch locations in San Francisco Bay Area were exactly like this one here in Southern California.
This 99R inside San Gabriel Square shopping plaza occupies a HUGE space, easily bigger than what we consider bigger in SF Bay (like Cupertino location or even Richmond and Milpitas), and makes some of us ashamed of the midget versions (like the one in Foster City that took over a dinky arse PW Market).
The deli and hot steam table/prepped foods section is a Taiwanese expats wet dream. Even better than Marina Supermarket's section in Cupertino (which is saying a lot). To you Southern Cal folk, it may seem all low tech and brow and who knows maybe it looks good but tastes bad as there's lots of competition in town, but you'd probably puke if you saw what we have up here 500+ miles north, it's embarassing.
The Chinese veg and multiple offerings of fruit alone (and in quality), plus the fact that it's very much geared towards the local Taiwanese expat population right in the heart of Taiwan South Central (aka MPark and San Gabe Valley), makes this particular 99R location worth modeling and hopefully cloning 500 miles north.
When our SF Bay Area 99 Ranch markets (and many other places) were selling low grade bitter, sour prepackaged sets of two Hawaiian and Carribean papayas for $3 to $5++ per pack (and if you are lucky, the ends might have some mold forming on them....), this 99 Ranch Market had them all in quantity and quality, for fresher and cheaper.
5 stars is strictly for everything past the entrance of this supermarket.
It has nothing to do with location or the fact that the parking lot turns into rush hour bumper to bumper traffic easily on most days, and witnessing events such as drivers slamming on the gas pedal just to beat out your fellow shopper to a precious square footage called a parking space. And also seeing multiple near misses of cases where enraged shoppers run each other over, in a hurry to get out (or in).
5 stars also for not taking into account of the extreme suffering of A$IAN CHEAPNE$$ INFLUENZA that plagues the local Chinese community (well admit it, it's in our blood). Last time I was here, some old lady was cussing back at management in Mandarin as she walked out of the entrance, because staff confronted her for taking plastic bags and she walked out of the store with no shopping. This old lady retorted with "don't effin touch me I'll call the cops!". And so in the end the staff gave up and I think the old lady walked out with the bags.
I swear, what people wouldn't do to fight for free sheeeyaht... -
Review from O G.
Los Angeles, CA
1/6/2008 1 Check-in Here
Ever since I was first introduced to 99 Ranch 5 or so years ago, it was awe at first sight. Then love.This is also the I first knew, and I think it is still the King of the 99s. It is one of my main markets, because it has it all. I still come here and am enamored the fact that right in the middle of the land of Ralphs and Albertsons, the Ranch is King!
Ridiculously cheap veggies, great variety. You want exotic, unusual, you got it. Taiwan cabbage, chinese lettuce, today I discovered Manchurian spinach, sweeter, nuttier, straighter than the European variety. All variations and sizes of bok choy, varieties of sprouts. Fruits are varied too, with cheap standard brands and interesting exotics.
The fish market is insane. Ginormous. Massive 55 gallon cases of live shrimp varieties, Maine lobster @ crazy prices, sometimes as cheap as $9/pound, Dungeness crabs as low as $6/pound. Clams, oysters, catfish, rock cod. All live. And the regular section is also massively varied - fish you will never see anywhere else. Bonus: they will deep fry any fish here for you, no charge. I often go here first, place my order and continue shopping, retrieving my crispy, tasty hot fish as I am ready to check out. Also, some sashimi also available.
Meats: also enormous. Pork, all styles and parts. Beef, almost as varied. Chicken: you can often find the famous black chicken here, literally of black flesh, a delicacy.
There is also a prepared food section here, cold and hot. And cheap. 2 whole, tea roasted chickens for $6! Sliced beef, cold sesame chicken noodles, $3.00. A take out section, 3 items for $3.50. On and on. A large bakery, that will rival many standard bakeries in the area.
And of course, acres, seemingly, of all kinds of spices, flavors, drinks, noodles, tofu, snacks, condiments - a sensory overload that only repeat experience can satisfy. And I do it, regularly. And cheap. Everything. Did I say that? Cheap! But organic, no.
Not to mention that when you are done, you have approximately 40 restaurants in this Great Mall of China to have dinner, lunch or snacks in. Or another 100 within 3 square blocks. Exaggerating? No. This is the SGV, folks, and you're just a tourist here. What more can you ask for? -
Review from Iska B.
8/10/2010
While most people are getting ready to go out and party on a Saturday night, I sit in horrifying traffic on the 10 to come down to San Gabriel to eat dumplings and go shopping at the 99 Ranch Market.
Pros: It's huge! So many options and so little fridge space! The fruit section is phenomenal. Dragon fruit, durian (if you're into it), lychees, jack fruit, etc. All sorts of delicious and unusual things that you will not find at Ralph's. Even better? They are CHEAP. Excellent prices. This market primarily caters to Chinese foods but you can still find plenty of Japanese and Korean snacks and frozen foods as well. I always end up buying random things in pretty packages even if I barely know what's inside. The ramen selection is pretty extensive and I always end up with a giant pile of this salty treat. It's pretty awesome. I wish it was closer to home.
Cons: THE PARKING LOT!!! This has got to be one of the worst parking situations I've ever encountered. There are tons of spaces but it was completely crowded and worse still, there were so many spots made unavailable because there seemed to be a plethora of idiots who don't understand how to take up one space instead of two. Really frustrating. I would suggest trying to come here at off hours and certainly not on weekends because it was just ridiculous.
Five stars for the great selection and the pricing on fruits and veggies.
One star for the parking situation and the hassle on weekends.
I might consider other locations if they have better parking. -
Review from Ka P.
Los Angeles, CA
10/24/2010
I haven't been to this market for awhile. Once I drove into the parking lot, I quickly remembered why I quit coming... Parking was a pain.
But if you like to eat and/or like to cook, you will bring yourself here despite the stress from parking, the crowd, and the fact that none of the shopping carts are going the directions you want them to.
Prices can't be beat either. -
Review from Anita L.
2/22/2008
WOW. All I can say is WOW. I've been to so many 99 Ranch Markets before but I've never been to one like this one before. Just the cooked food section alone blew me away. The scallion pancakes and other types of 'bing', the steam table had food which actually looked appetizing and it was so cheap too.
I couldn't believe the amount of ethnic stuff such as Indonesian spices. Seriously, I couldn't believe the selection of stuff here. I used to think that all 99 Ranch Markets were somewhat the same, but this one completely proved me wrong.
The sheer size of the store is also impressive. It actually is around the same size as the American-style supermarkets which means you can do all your shopping in one store. OK, maybe not me, but you could if you wanted to.
All I can say is WOW! As far as 99 Ranch Markets go, this one definitely garners a 5-star rating! -
Review from Anna C.
Berkeley, CA
3/23/2008
This 99 Ranch blows the Monterey Park location out of the water, and then some.
Juice/sushi bar (although I wouldn't touch the sushi if I were you), separate booze/bakery area, HUUUUGE produce section, lots of pre-packaged deli items, a hot food bar in the back with cafeteria-style dishes (Shau May-style) and BBQ meats, extensive fresh seafood/meat selection, etc. They also have a bunch of cute Japanese make-up items in the impulsive buy sections by check-out, like the little apple hand lotion thingy that I'd thought to be available only at Mitsuwa (or Taiwan).
I usually stock up on different varieties of hot sauce (Sriracha and garlic/black bean), aloe vera pulp juice and dessert cups, nori, taro and pineapple toast, muscat gummies, and Cara Cara oranges.
This is located in the Focus plaza, and the parking situation usually makes me want to kill someone (or everyone. or myself). It is worth the effort though, and there's plenty of other places to czech out in the plaza once you've finally landed that coveted parking space. (Amore, for Laniege cosmetics; Tapioca Express or the adjacent Tea Station; Champion for sweet beef jerky and dried cuttlefish sheets; this one health food store that I can't remember the name of, for Hello Kitty apple vinegar, etc). -
Review from Catherine C.
Los Angeles, CA
1/13/2010
This is definitely the mack daddy of all 99 Ranches to go to in the LA area. The place is HUGE, cleaner than most Asian markets, and yes, to echo all the other reviewers... cheap ass (but great quality!) produce.
For a vegetarian like me, it's also a WONDERFUL resource for all my soy-based meat analogs and all things tofu. For all you tofu haters - don't knock it till you've tried my tofu tacos! I SWEAR it will convert you!
And yes, this is my go-to places for all Asian condiments and spices - from Sriracha "cock" sauce (as the boyfriend calls it) to sesame oil to fermented black bean paste (again, DON'T knock it till you've tried it!) to all types of tea galore to the sweet adzuki bean filling that I put in my buns. Yep. I have me some pretty nice buns... from my steamer!
My two *minor* gripes about this place -
Fellow shoppers are often curt and borderline rude or sometimes just plain rude (I get crap talked about me in Chinese from time to time by people who think I don't understand it)... but we can't blame the actual store for its occasionally distasteful clientele now can we?
And the parking lot - I mean seriously did they not get the memo that most Asian moms in minivans can't park straight to save their lives? I'm not even an Asian mom (yet) and I can't park straight to save my life! Would have been nice if their lot wasn't as cramped. -
Review from Theodore W.
Clawson, MI
3/24/2008
This place is worth visiting for anyone who likes food, or comes from a culture or mindset where fresh fish, meat, veggies or fruit are important. One of my friends said her West African mother would make this her favorite store, especially for the live fish (both in water and on ice, where they were "sort of live" quivering once every few minutes). There were glimmering mounds of such things as tripe as well. My friend was so animated that the fishmonger was laughing and pointing at her, a West African enchanted by the freshness and huge variety of the fish. She was pleased at the friendly attention and smiled back.
It has huge varieties of teas, canned goods, sake etc., as well.
