Assi Plaza

If you are looking for unique grocery shopping experience, this is it. Price are reasonable and variety selections and food court section as well. Its mostly Korean products but there are many oriental and western products as well. I also get hair cut here too. They also sell bakery and coffees. I highly recommend everyone shopping here if you never tried here before.

Whenever I plan to go to H-​Mart, I always stop by Assi too for their extensive variety of seafood selection and fresh seafood samples (salmon and tuna sashimi). I love their salty squid, octopus, clam, oyster, anchovies, seaweed, and other seafood-​type banchan packages because they’re fresh, well-​marinated, and reasonably priced (mix & match 3 packages for $ 10)! Frozen mackerel is very good quality (gills are bright red and clear eyes) and I was consistently able to buy this (uncleaned) for 99 cents to $ 1.39/lb. To get it cleaned, the price goes up to $ 2.98/lb usually. I’ve also purchased live lobster when they’re on sale for $ 6.99/lb and fresh wild white sea bass for $ 2.98/lb; these made fantastic dinners!
The Assi employees are also a lot nicer and welcoming to me, even though I am not Korean. The only downside is that their vegetables and other produce are not as cheap or fresh as H-​Mart. So this is not a total one stop-​shop for me.

I think I like Assi Plaza better than H-​Mart! The grocery selection is better and the food court is superior. Also I buy a lot of salmon and I really liked the salmon prices here! The layout is a little smaller than H-​Mart but I’m pretty sure they have the same (if not better) variety, AND the bakery is vastly superior. I picked up a chocolate croissant and cream roll and both were awesome.

I had no clue this place existed until we accidentally drove by it trying to get to Hmart. Having bought ASSI products in the past the sign all but screamed at me for attention. On the way back we had to stop by.
It has the typical Asian market smell of produce and fish (if you don’t frequent Asian markets it’s hard to explain LOL) so I knew I was in the right place. The produce section when you enter the store is MASSIVE. So many different fruits, greens, and other harder to find yummies. They were having some sales on produce so we saved a few bucks there.
When we happened to visit they were giving out a few samples, which my husband didn’t really like, so that was interesting. The lady wasn’t really that nice, but I think that’s more of a cultural thing.
Their selection is pretty good in their own right, but I find them lacking compared to Hmart. I also think their prices are higher. I found my favorite ramen here so that’ll be the reason I come back in the future. Beyond what I mentioned I wasn’t that impressed. The cashiers seem miserable when we go here (I’ve been here 4 times so far) and that’s usually a sign.
This is also a plaza of other little shops selling various goods and food. The smells are divine, but I haven’t tried any of (yet?).
Overall it’s not terrible and I recommend checking it out at least once, but with Hmart right down the street I think they need to up their game.

If you live in Chicagoland, you have a few choices if you’re looking for Korean grocery stores — H Mart, Assi Plaza, and Joong Boo. The latter is actually in the city while the other two are in Niles. H Mart might get all the love, but Assi Plaza might actually be the hidden (or forgotten) gem considering it has a better food court and a better variety of stores within.
Assi Plaza is not as large as H-​Mart, but what it lacks in size, it competes very well in its offerings, price, and quality. You absolutely have to check out the fresh seafood area. My family and I actually got to see an actual blue fin tuna being cut up with samples being offered right there! The variety of fruit and vegetables is just as good as H-​Mart, and it’s simply easier to find what I’m looking for.
Check out the food court, if you’re hungry before you start your shopping as there are some nice, authentic options. The kimbap, Korean soups, and such are just better than what I’ve had at some restaurants! There’s even a Korean fried chicken joint here, so you can get your fix of that too.
Every time that I’ve been here, it hasn’t been that busy. i.e., Saturday mornings, afternoons. It’s so much nicer than H Mart or Joong Boo in that regard as you don’t have to constantly adjust your cart to make room for others, fear somebody will knock into you, and politely ask people multiple times to move so that you can get through.
Give Assi Plaza a shot, if you’re seeking an authentic Korean grocery store experience that competes in products and price with some legitimate Korean food to make you less hangry.

Compared to the H Marts that I’ve been to in the past, the fresh vegetable area isn’t very big. But I like that they have their own little skincare shops. If you’re into Sulwahsoo, IOPE or looking for new sheet masks, the Amore store can hook you up at a markup of course. But you can probably get samples!

Some of the best Korean food hands down. For a quick bite that hits the spot go here! And this market is better than HMart…

Fun market full of goodies. They have a wide variety of Asian foods, mostly a Korean store but they have popular foods from other countries. There is also a food court and other specialty stores.

I shop at Assi all the time, but lately their service really sucks. Between the Mexicans & the Koreans in the FISH MARKET they don’t seem to understand or they just don’t GIVE A FLYING F – K and they don’t answer you. I mean WTF? How hard is to answer an simple question. You guys suck

Fabulous Asian supermarket with a huge selection of everything! Predominantly Korean fare with a really good food court too! A great find for us and to know we don’t always have to drive downtown to find great asian supermarkets!
They have so much in the way of asian produce and dry goods from Thailand, Vietnam, Phillipines etc.
The produce section is really extensive with usual staples like bok choi, chinese brocoli, yu choi all very fresh looking. Some prices very reasonable and some on the higher side. They also have Jackfruit which we love. Good fresh fruit section here too.
The fish section for me was pretty fantastic. Prices so amazing! Large head off shrimp $ 4.99 LB, Fresh whole red snapper $ 5.99LB, Squid $ 5.99LB.
Meat section was also extensive with loads of beef and pork, pork belly.
Then the sauce and dried food sections all well organized with neat aisles.
This place is huge and fun to shop in here. Checkout and cashiers are friendly and speedy. We were here on a Saturday at 4−5pm.

I like their food court it’s very nice. I like how the food station owners serve you the food and bring and include cups of water. It is a very nice touch. I found that while some things are on sale at Assi Plaza things like Ramen can cost you $ 17 for a box and that to me is too expensive. I’m a cheap o when it comes to my ramen. They have some sale prices on items and I went for some of those products. I got myself some mirin cooking wine but some off brand and I got some anchovy fish sauce which was on sale for about $ 3.99. I have yet to really try anything else from Assi Plaza. I do like how if I go to their houseware they sell what you are looking for. I got myself an eye brow razor. I’m excited about that and that they sell Korean playing cards «go.» It’s a fun place to walk and shop around. I’m sure the locals love it there.

DO NOT come here on a Sunday mid-​afternoon. It was CrAzY! i!i!i
The parking lot deceived me. Sure, it was busy but there were still plenty of parking spaces. I had no idea that there would be no more shopping carts or hand baskets left, no good meat or produce left, and the lines would end up in the middle of the aisles. It was like an Asian version of Black Friday. What seemed like hundreds of people were crammed into any available space going in every which direction making it hard to backtrack. I think I lost a shoe. There was no time to turn back and check. I quickly made my way through produce to the hot and ready food only to discover that none of it looked fresh or appetizing. I dodged a small family coming right at me, saw an abandoned hand basket on the floor and grabbed it at the same time I grabbed two bottles of soju. (I figured I’d need that to replenish my strength at the end of this.) I headed towards the meat area and stared at the throngs of people eagerly grabbing what was on sale. All I wanted was to create my own version of Korean bbq in my kitchen but was sad to see that all of the cuts of beef and pork that I wanted were gone. I frowned, picked up some random items I’m not even sure why I got and stood in line to check out.
After a 20 mins in line and 3 anxiety attacks, I drove over to the much calmer H-​mart.

With the burgeoning Korean community we have in Chicago, its great to have two mega-​grocery stores to choose from. Assi Plaza and H-​Mart both bring their own merits to the table. Typically, I find the produce selection at A.P. a little wider and sometimes fresher. Assi has also has a larger variety of other Pan-​Asian grocery items than anywhere else. Not unlike H Mart, the emphasis is def on Korean, but A.P. also has Philippine, Chinese & Vietnamese in the house.
Their selection of fish and sushi is not as appealing as H Mart, nor is the repertoire of banchan meat, or prepared food. If dining while you shop turns you on, the food court options are better. ((Frankly, your options would be better by hitting up one of the numerous Asian restaurants within a 4 block area, rather than food court, OK?)

Wow. Much better than Hmart ! The prices are much better. Great sales and fresh seafood. Overall it is much better than Hmart.

Assi Plaza is a Korean super grocery store with Korean and other Asian foods. In the plaza, there are a few small shops, such as bakery, apparel, jewelry, and skincare. In terms of food, their selection is impressive and prices are decent. The normal prices are average grocery store prices, but the promotions were pretty good.
The aisles for dry cooking ingredients seemed to have be endless. My family was bummed when the local kimchi brand we love was discontinued at H-​Mart, and we didn’t think it could be found anymore so I was elated to find it here! Not only was it well stocked in all sizes, the large containers were on sale.
In the fish section, they had sushi grade sliced tuna and mackerel in small containers. I like that you didn’t have to commit to large trays like other places I’ve seen at other places. They were individual portions. After 6pm, the prepared sushi is discounted. There wasn’t much left as I arrived after 8pm, but I picked up a hamachi topped roll with avocado and cucumbers. The fish was sliced paper thin and small, and the rice is very vinegary. It was fine for the price, but I wouldn’t pay full price.
The lady at customer service directed some people from the regular line over to speed up checkout, which I appreciated, but she seemed curt and not particularly friendly. This great of a selection takes a lot of upkeep so I’m just glad they’re around. Looking forward to coming back and trying the food court and bakery.

ASSI is one of the popular Korean grocery marts in the area. They offer produce, meats, marinated meats (like galbi and bulgogi), seafood, sushi, international goods, as well as a food court and several mini stores (make-​up, bookstore, home décor, etc.). Check their weekly deals online, as they have competitive prices on their vegetables, fruits, and meats (especially on napa cabbage, as we’d bought boxes of it on crazy sales as low as a penny for each!). They also have special events, such as featured cities in Korea where they set up a table in offering what they’re known for (there was a ‘Juhnjoo Day’ with a variety of fresh banchans and such). I am also a fan of their food court, as one place offers great ssuhlungtang (oxtail soup) and jjam jja myun (jjambbong and jjajangmyun combo). Sometimes we get the ssuhlungtang to go, and the ahjumma always packs it well in a box for easier carrying. They do have a large lot to park your car, but just be wary of the shoppers and the potholes!
+competitive prices on produce
+ssuhlungtang (food court)
+special events

4 out of 5.
They have the best food court in that area.
I always get their katsu and noodles.
If you like japanese style chicken katsu or donkatsu, you should definitely try them.
Also, Korean ice creamms!!! yummm.
Oh but don’t buy Meta Cone. it cost about $ 3 each and it’s not worth it.
Instead, try Samanco which is a fish-​shaped ice cream sandwich. SOOOO GOOD.
H-​mart sells ice creams in a bundle, so you can’t really buy just one.
But Assi breaks up the set, so if you want individual ice cream, this is the place you should go.

So this is just a quick food review for the Korean restaurant only. The gf got a number 1 and I got a number 8, the beef bulgogi I believe. The beef was alright, nothing special. Comes with rice, some kimchi, and a cup of miso soup. The gf’s number 1 was pretty good. We don’t usually eat Korean food so I’m not sure what to compare it too. But you just mash it all up and eat it anyway so it was fine.
As for the rest of the place, I didn’t shop at all but it seems like they would have most everything you needed if you wanted something on the Asian side. They even have their own sushi bar which I wanted to try out if I wasn’t already eating lunch there. I guess I will have to go back for a 2^nd look sometime.

Holy mackerel! This place is ‘The Schnizzit’! I only gave Mitsuwa four stars simply because this place exists.
Where, oh, where to begin? The produce… They have everything! No need to shop at —mart for any groceries. Durian, jackfruit, eggplant, lotus root, and all your basics like apples, asian pears, and greens. They have a ridiculous selection of exotic potatoes.
The meat: black goat, fish galore, deep sea offerings, lamb, and all the basics. I’m getting fish balls next time!
Kitchenware is a very cute section and kept my husband entertained for what seemed like an eternity.
Also, the bakery and food court will make you spurn any other Asian installment in any other food court on earth. The fresh seaweed salads alone are reason enough to go.
Then you have the eye doctor, the emporium, the water coolers, the coats and shoes, and all other goodies. Please, please go see for yourself.
Only thing I could wish for is a larger selection of South East Asian staples, but I don’t blame them because that is not their forte, they are a Korean venture.
Brittney Tun
Food Writer and Culinary Enthusiast

Great place to go with a group of individuals each craving his/​her own thing. You can get anything here from fried chicken, dduk bokkee, neng myun, soups, stews, phở… whatever you’re in the mood for!
I don’t know if I’ve ever been here on a day other than Sunday. You see, church is right around that area, so it just always works out best with the group.
«Why, what are we going to do tomorrow night, Brain?»
«The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try and take over the world!»
We’re not quite taking over the world, but it’s most likely the same thing every week.
«Where are we going for lunch today, guys?»
«The same place we go every week, Pinky. Assi Plaza!»
My go-​to dish is some sort of soup dish. For some reason I’ve been really craving authentic Korean soups. I haven’t gotten a soup dish there that hasn’t disappointed me yet.