Hong Kong Supermarket

9/7/2016

Where else can you get bootlegged porn and a full stomach possibly complimented by hearing two guys fighting verbally in angry Chinese? Nowhere but here. If you live in New York, you're not likely to eat out all the time so the essentials not only of the culture but general produce are available here too. I don't buy the produce because that would be too much to carry back but I will always buy spare tea.

This place has more authetic tasting tea than any American supermarket. This place is the original Teavana only having outdone it ages ago! There's more varieties of tea than there are iphone updates!  The tea is deep and earthly and not dyed some weird shade of green. Probably the tastiest I've had. I came back a second time and bought eight boxes. Also wayyyyy cheaper than boxed tea in a shoprite or costco. Love being here!

There's so much I want to try so I will definitely journey back.

10/8/2016

Amazing prices, but I always get followed. They don't even try to hide the fact that they're following me throughout the whole place. When I would make eye contact with the worker whose literally on my tail, they would have a big grin as if they caught me doing something. Mind you, I'm wearing a romper and carrying no bag. Where the hell am I going to sneak something?

I love the cheap produce, tofu, and frozen fish here, but maybe I'll pay extra at Trader Joe's or a local supermarket to avoid this nonsense.

10/27/2015

• 133 check-ins

As far as prices and variety, it's hard to beat this grocery store/supermarket. I do most of my grocery shopping here on a weekly basis due to its convenience and low prices. Moreover, here I discovered some interesting produce that I've come to love, such as yu choi tips, ear mushroom, xinjian fragrant pears, and Korean melons.

Some of the stuff here is hit or miss: one week you may get a great deal for some very tasty fruit or vegetables; the following week the same item at the same price tastes like cardboard.

Hygiene standards are also a bit of hit or miss. The guys at the fishmonger stall wear gloves at all times, but I've seen one clean his ears with a toothpick... while wearing gloves.
I've seen a guy open a bottle of soy sauce, pour some of the content in the cap, drink it, screw the cap back, and put the bottle back in the shelf. Bottom line: if you buy something here make sure the item is properly sealed.

The place is always busy, but aisles tend to be always well-stocked, and lines move fast. I also must confess that have a crush on one of the check-out ladies: a tiny woman with a feeble voice who always seemed sweet to me... until once somebody translated to me what she was saying to a colleague: "You can't even lift a 50lb bag of rice, and you call yourself a man?! What can of man are you?! I pity you". I'm in love.

8/28/2016

I've been going to this supermarket for years. They have everything one could want to cook Chinese food. Prices are cheap and reasonable. Produce and vegetables are fresh. The checkout lines are long but they move fast. Market is conveniently located. I recommend bringing tote bags, backpack, or a roller cart to carry all the things bought. Vegetables and fruit can get heavy especially when the prices are good. I like how I can use my credit card there and this is one of the few, if not the only Chinese supermarket that doesn't have the $10 or $15 minimum to pay by credit card.

3/26/2016

• 16 check-ins

• Listed in Asian Grocery Shopping

Woah I thought I reviewed this place already. Biggest supermarket in Chinatown, but they often go out of stock of things I need. For example, I couldn't find egg tofu, chives, fresh peanuts, cheong fun, or peanut powders. To be fair, the fresh peanuts wasn't really in season when I was looking. I often have to go to Po Wing Hong, Deluxe Food Market, and Kam Man just to get everything I need. I couldn't find 辣豆瓣醬 or regular 黑豆豉 at some point either, which are very common sauces that should be in stock. I was able to find maltose sugar after looking super hard though.

Vegetables are cheap and fresh and they have a larger variety than other places. I even found 萵苣 (celtuce) one time. Mee Li down the street has better looking vegetables, especially if you're looking for daikon radish or taro. It's also annoying that they put the ginger in large packs to encourage you to buy the whole bag. But they do allow you to take the ones that have fallen out as you pay by weight anyways. The vegetables look way fresher than the fruits which look downright nasty sometimes.

Seafood and meat section are decent but not as large of a selection as Deluxe for meat or Win Choy for seafood. I was looking for the best place to buy golden promfret and the ones here didn't look as fresh, albeit they were larger. The eyes were red and cloudy instead of clear.

I think my favorite part about this place is that it's right next to a cheong fun cart, so I can grab a snack right before shopping. It isn't as good as the Asian supermarkets in New Jersey or Flushing and they lack a lot of Taiwanese items, but since I'm far away from both it will have to do.

4/15/2016

It used to be my go to one stop shop for Chinese grocery.

How things have changed. I am there for the first time in many years. It looks nothing like before. Vegetables are scattered around, things just feel like it is not organized. It is the same feeling maybe the boss is away on vacation or this place is about to go under.

When I went to retrieve a shopping basket, the first one has no carry hook. The second one is also broken, but it is bandaged up. Strike one.

The selection seemed to very average and expensive. I was looking for the vitasoy lemon tea. Nope- instead it has milk tea for .83 a pack. Quite expensive compare to other shops (think it is about half price in flushing).

Ok check out time- there are only 2 lanes and the line is huge- worse than Walmart. I waited about 20-30 minutes in line just to pay. Strike two.

After much wait, finally it is my turn- the cashier who barely speaks any English doesn't even wrap the ceramic utensils and glass items with newspapers. You have to ask for some and wrap it yourself. The final straw was I am told they don't take credit card because the machine is down.

That is strike #3 for me. I am not coming again, ever!

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  Bandaged shopping basket

  Bandaged shopping basket
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  Long cashier line

  Long cashier line

4/5/2016

• 23 check-ins

My go to grocery shop. It's the cleanest one in Chinatown (and also the most expensive, but only by a bit). The thing I love the most about this place is that it has an expansive selection of veggies and fruits that are actually fresh and don't have random flies buzzing around all over the place. The baby cucumbers and long green beans are my go to. They also have fresh seafood and poultry, which you can order and have the staff chop up if necessary.

Best of all, they have an entire floor dedicated to Asian snacks and ramen (downstairs). Recently they've also started doing samples of random frozen foods. Definitely a solid place to get all of your groceries!

2/26/2016

• 3 check-ins
• ROTD 7/22/2016

• Listed in Devouring Chinatown one place at a time, ROTD!

This is my go-to supermarket whenever I am in the Chinatown area. I think I am very partial to it because it was here where I was able to accomplish one of my life goals: walk into the middle of a top chef filming when they run through the grocery store to prepare for their next challenge! It was during top chef all-stars which was even better because I recognized everyone running around. Now I am digressing.

Back to the supermarket. This place has a plethora of Asian sauces, snacks, vegetables, fruit, dry noodles, and meats...just to name a few things. I think what they are most well-known for is their cheap good sushi. You can get a full salmon roll for less than $5 and the quality is not bad at all.  

Overall, a good, reliable supermarket where one can get a wide variety of Asian goodies.

8/11/2015

• 1 check-in

Hong Kong Supermarket is two stories with a variety of fresh produce, snacks and more snacks.

Having been around many years, HK supermarket does not fail to satisfy my cravings when I need a certain snack. Though the Manhattan Chinatown Supermarket is closer to me, I would make my way to HK for certain snacks MC doesn't carry.

Inside the supermarket there is a small sushi stand which I absolutely love. The prices for the sushi are so reasonable (2.50$ for a california roll) and they are always fresh.

When I am shopping for groceries and need instant sushi, this place is my go-to.

10/4/2016

It's a decent market with a wide selection of asian goods. Not that clean, but one of the cleaner markets you could find at chinatown

12/30/2015

• ROTD 2/16/2016

Okay, so this place is no whole foods. It would be polite to say that its decor fits in very nicely with the general appearance of its neighborhood.

Most people who work here don't speak English, or at least English as the American people know it.

No, this place is not America.

This place is, however, a godsend for New Yorkers who are tired of $10.99/lb chicken breasts at Whole Foods that come with the bird's lineage and life story. It's chicken, man! It's not that complicated.

I usually come here when I want to buy BIG. I'm talking about stocking up the fridge, don't need to go outside for a month big. The pre-apocalyptic buy up all the canned tuna big. I'm talking about riding down to Chinatown on a citibike with my 85L backpack strapped four ways across my torso like I'm JGL in Premium Rush, BIG. Why? Because soy sauce bottles be heavy, yo!

Everything here is on the cheaper side, especially the meats and vegetables. You can't help but stock up if like me, you don't make it down here quite as often as you'd like. There are also tons of Chinese groceries that you can't find elsewhere. White rabbit candy? Green tea pumpkin seeds? Every type of ramen imaginable? It's all there for the taking.

Some people have this instinctive association of Chinatown with poor sanitation, and if you walk down grand street one too many times, I can see how you might get that impression. Honestly though, just because this area is old doesn't mean it's unclean. You can get your food from the most squeeky clean vendor, but that don't mean diddly squat if you don't handle and cook it properly at home. There's a reason you never see any raw dishes in Chinese cooking.

But truth be told, I'm not sure why I even bother defending the unruliness of this place and Chinatown in general. This place is awesome for those who can appreciate it. Those people who enjoy appearance over substance when it comes to their groceries have tons of options north of Houston.

2/24/2016

• 1 check-in

Everything you expect in a Chinese grocery store -- cheap produce, smelly seafood section, ramen by the box, and the best Asian snacks (Pocky, anyone?!).

Obviously don't expect any frills or over-the-top customer service but if you're just trying to get what you need without paying normal NYC supermarket prices for it, you'll be happy.

Upstairs level has produce, seafood, meats, frozen food section, sauces, rice, etc. Downstairs is snacks, ramen, kitchen ware. And they accept all standard forms of payment.

12/24/2015

• 1 check-in

I do not like Chinese grocery stores, but Hong Kong Supermarket is probably the best in the city. It has a solid selection of items, including a live seafood section, a meat department and an extensive produce section. They have most Chinese sauces, dry foods, and snacks. It's relatively clean and easy to navigate. The cashiers are what you would expect at any Chinese grocery store- loud, not very considerate, but get the job done very efficiently.  

It's conveniently located not too far from the Canal St. stop off the 6 train. Because it is pretty far from where I live, I don't go to Hong Kong Supermarket as often as I should to replenish my stock of Chinese groceries. But for the prices and the selection, it's definitely a one-stop shop.

2/26/2016

• 1 check-in

This is my to go place to get sushi and tea.  Though the place sells everything, from seafod, meat, fruit and vegetables.  There are also tea - huge selection of Chinese Green Tea and Japanese Green Tea down stairs.

There is a sushi counter at the front near the entrance it is not as impressive as the Deluxe Food around the corner in Elizabeth Street.  Very economical, only $5.50 for one box even including Nigiri with Eel.  If you want a no frill cheap sushi box this is the place.

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  The two boxes of sushi for $11.00 - Feb 2016

  The two boxes of sushi for $11.00 - Feb 2016
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  Salmon sushi box.

  Salmon sushi box.
• 

  Sushi box with 2 shrimp one, w tuna one, two salmon one and 4 pieces of small tuna avocado roll. All for $5.50

  Sushi box with 2 shrimp one, w tuna one, two salmon one and 4 pieces of small tuna avocado roll. All for $5.50

10/7/2015

• 2 check-ins

Clean, organized, and constantly restocked! I went early Saturday morning to pick up a few ingredients for dinner, and as expected, I picked up way more than I meant to.

The produce section is fantastic! Everything is neatly stacked and all the different vegetables and fruits looked super fresh. I also like that they have an area for overripe/expiring vegetables that you can purchase in bulk for lower prices.

Like any Asian grocery store, the meat/poultry section is confusing. Too many unrecognizable cuts/types of meat, and butchers who don't speak a full sentence of English. I'm sure they were equally annoyed at my inability to put into Chinese exactly what I wanted (thinly sliced beef). Thankfully, through motioning and pointing, I was able to get something very close to what I wanted - though not exactly.

There is a new 'department store' area in the basement, which consists mostly of dried/packaged foods and snacks. There's also a large section of kitchenware. I spent so much time wandering in this area and staring at all the buy 4 for $10 deals that I missed the bus. :(

Definitely planning on making a trip down every 2-3 weeks to restock on produce and Asian snacks! :D

5/14/2016

• 4 check-ins

As solid of a place as you will find when it comes to Asian staples, both common and less common. Normal prices for things like soy sauce and whatnot, but occasionally they do have some great sales going on. This is my go to place when I'm in need of things like buns for steamed pork buns, rice cakes, or fresh lo mein noodles, all at cheaper than expected prices.

2/1/2016

As others have said, this place needs a bit of orchestration in timing.  I came on my day off, on a weekday afternoon, where it wasnt as crowded.  

Likes: Extensive selection of fresh produce, kudos for well trimmed Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) and fresh basil. I had little trouble finding all the necessary condiments I usually needed for my pan-Asian pantry, except for pickled radish and other odd ball japanese items that i normally find closer in little Tokyo/Astor Place.  I also couldnt find the extra firm pressed tofu. Maybe i didnt look hard enough.

Dislikes: the fresh meat and seafood is a bit limited to the basics here. Dont expect choice cuts or exotic seafood.  The ground pork was a bit too lean for  my liking, which was a bit surprising.

7/1/2015

• 2 check-ins

This used to be Dynasty supermarket back in the day before Hong Kong Supermarket took over about 6-7 years ago. Needless to say, this supermarket still offers hard-to-find Asian snacks and foods. The newly added basement is home to popular Asian snacks such as Pocky, numerous brands of ramen, chocolates and dried Asian goods. The main level is more of grocery shopping. Sushi is also available by the entrance and there's a separate section for vegetables and fruits on the right side of the store when you walk in. There's even a little section that sells Asian DVDs and blankets when you walk in the store. Asian stores FTW!

6/9/2015

For the price and the quantity, this is the place to go for some cheap sushi. I work a couple blocks away from this place and was introduced by a coworker when we were trying to decide where to go for lunch. Although the entire market kind of has that "unsanitary" fish-vendors smell, the sushi selection was excellent. They have California Rolls for $2.50, Spicy Tuna or Spicy Salmon or Eel rolls for $3.50, Sushi and roll combinations for $5.00, and Sashimi for $11.00. At these prices, the amount of food you get is staggering. And the quality isn't shabby either! I ordered the Spicy Tuna rolls and the Salmon Sushi/Roll combo for a total of $8.50. All the fish was pretty good (although I don't know if I can guarantee that it was all actually fresh) and I was very satisfied afterwards. It definitely hit the spot for me.

If you're seeking a quick bite for cheap, Hong Kong Supermarket's sushi selection is your place to be!

8/1/2016

My store that I go to get my being blue seaweed. Best seaweed of all time just saying. But those cashier lines are ridiculously long as hell every time I go there. They have a ton of yummy snacks inside easy to find everything it's a great supermarket when you want to find snacks. But sorta expensive, but not really at the same time. It's expensive and inexpensive snacks you just got to compare the pricing with other supermarkets.