Asian Direct Oriental Market

I’m writing this mostly in the context of comparing an asian market to the majority of other ethnic markets because, let’s be frank, most of them are already working with meager funds to begin with and have generously low prices.
I’ve been shopping at Asian Direct since 2006, when I first discovered it. I started going there for the lower prices on fresh young thai coconuts. This is the same brand that a number of the co-​ops and other grocery stores carry, but for nearly half less. I also come here when I’m in the mood to discover a new ingredient (which could very well last me a lifetime).
Their produce is, like most ethnic stores, are either very fresh or very rank. But the delight is all mine when I hit the right day.
Next to their produce, they have a refrigerated «odd bits» case. There’s cubed pork blood, beef tripe (stomach), half dead shrimp. duck eggs, quail eggs. You know, the usual.
They offer a variety of seasonal fruits that I don’t see anywhere else (helloooo…DURIAN?! The most stinky-​delicious fruit your tastebuds and nose will never forget, the durian costs around $ 2.50/lb and are on avg 10#, so make sure to invest with a group of people, because that’s a WHOLE LOTTA’ stink you’re going to have to dispose of if you don’t like it after your first bite. They’ve also carried fresh mangosteen here a couple of times when in season (& last I checked, it’s one imported fruit that isn’t allowed fresh in our country; I guess they’ve got the hook-​ups ;-).
The main gal who works here has always been nice, but otherwise, everyone else is either very quiet or they respond with smiles. I know that there’s a bit of a language barrier since most of them struggle for words when I ask questions about various things, so we all do what we can to get by.
I wouldn’t recommend their meat counter AT ALL though, since most everything looks like it’s been dry-​cured from sitting out for so long. I’ve asked them what farm they get their hogs from and no one seems to know which is a source of concern, considering how small their store is. Next to their meat counter is a live tilapia tank. Fun to tap on the tank window and stare at the fish until you realize why they’re in the store.
If there’s anywhere in this store that I get a kick out of, it’s their freezer case. A variety of familiar and not-​so familiar, including a «what-​the?» category. There is a number of different kinds of frozen fish, frog legs (wow), shredded young coconut meat, AND… get this, some type of grub/beetle…and so much more!
I respect any business that chooses to set a certain $ amount before taking a credit card. While it can be inconvenient for the customer, I just remind myself that their prices are already low, that they don’t need to lose a % on small purchases to a credit card, and that I’m still a fan of not living in a cashless society.
***UPDATE 6÷15÷15: If you buy too many coconuts, they WILL raise the price ;-) For the past 3 weeks I’ve been going in 2x/​weekly and noticed the price went up .30 per coconut. I’m okay with that since it’s still a lower cost than other locations BUT, when the checkout gal mentioned that the price went up and appeared to be gauging me for how I would react if the price went up further, I let her know that I only have season cravings and that they may or may not be seeing me in the near future :-)

Parking is kind of awkward because it was slanted. Not sure if I was supposed to enter from the left or if I was supposed to drive all the way around. I’m all for more little neighborhood asian groceries. Just need to make sure there’s a decent market so turnover for produce is enough so it isn’t gross. I usually just get snacks and drinks. Only fruit and veggies if they look really fresh and in season so not outrageously priced. Service is always kind of hit or miss at these kind of places. They work hard. I’d like to give them a break once in a while but I guess that’s the asian work ethic.

Maybe it’s because I read the other 2 – 3 star reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised to find this market in a random spot outside Minneapolis. As I was leaving I realized that they buy a good number of items (non-​fresh) from United Noodles Wholesale (in Minneapolis).
Their prices for the most part are pretty reasonable. Their freezers are stocked full of items, common and unique: Frozen lemongrass (they also have the fresh variety), frozen shredded coconut, frozen shredded galanga. They also have a bunch of frozen buns (little steamed soup dumplings, normal dumplings). They have frozen meats (octopus, different types of fish, Asian meatballs). They had some fresh meat (that seems a little unsanitary — I’d avoid buying fresh meat from here). Plenty of sauces, esp fish sauce (they carry at least a dozen varieties). They have dried items (dried squid, shiitake mushrooms). They also have spices and soup mixes. I found some gingko biloba nuts. They have some Asian snacks (this is limited). They have some fresh items (mochi, banh mi, steamed pork rolls). They have a pretty good selection of fresh veggies in their fridge section.
Now don’t get your expectations HIGH. This place is still pretty tiny, I’m just saying that I was surprised by the selection and prices for such a random, small spot. The cashier, although a little difficult to understand, was helpful in explaining that they only had ginseng tea packets and ginseng drinks when I asked if they sold any ginseng slices (for soup). I would come back if I were in the area.

My wife and I lived in the area and would often go to this market for the simple fact it was close. But the service is terrible and the workers there are indifferent to the point of rudeness.
But what bothered me the most was the fact they won’t let you use your credit card on purchases under 15 dollars and always forgetting this, we often had to get a couple extra things or they wouldn’t ring you up.
But that’s not the worst part — the worst part is the fact that after a while of shopping there on and off — we started to notice the sell by dates. My wife bought something that we noticed when we got home had expired over a year ago. We threw it out and had gone back a few times noticing that the dates on a lot of food there were way past expiration date. We will never go back. Terrible service, terrible quality and over all not worth getting sick on out dated food.

They’ve got a variety of staple Chinese and Vietnamese, some Japanese, and some general South East Asian products, so they cover quite a bit of Asian food needs for such a small store. It’s so small that the place is packed up to the ceiling, and the isles are very narrow. If you’re claustrophobic, you wont like it here, but if you’re use to east coast Chinatown shops, you’ll be fine. Probably should also warn you, they’ve got some sea food exposed to the air, so the place can get unappealingly pungent.
I don’t know why, but contrary to other reviewers, the main woman seems fine to me. I think it’s because I buy the Vietnamese food by the counter. She smiles and says a few words to me every so often. That’s good enough service for me from an Asian grocery store were the person behind the counter doesn’t speak English very well.
What keeps me coming back? Honestly, it’s the nearness, $ 2.50 spring rolls, and $ 3 very bready Bahn Mai. Otherwise, I’d rather go to the Asian Direct in Savage or United Noodle.
Note, they do take credit card with a 15 minimum.

Not the best service but they have everything you need. It’s a bit cramped in there and the stench in there coming from the fish and meat selection is sometimes overwhelming. It’s a good thing we’re usually in-​n-​out. I feel like they need a bigger facility to house everything on shelves and two people can walk through an aisle. Once you get to the checkout counter, they don’t say a word to you except for the amount that needs to be paid up. The service there is no so great. I definitely don’t feel very welcomed there, but since they have the things I need, I’m in and I’m out. Oh, if you want to use your credit card, you must spend at least $ 20.
The location is right around a busy corner, and the parking lot is a bit confusing. It’s on the corner of Portland Ave & 77^th. I usually take a right into a convenient store that is on the corner there and drive around to the grocery store. It’s a bit harder to park if you’re turning in from 77^th because everyone is parked in an angle.
All in all, if you want to do one stop shopping at an Asian grocery store, they got you covered. But if you are looking for friendly services, they’re not quite on that. And if you are looking for a clean facility, not your stop. Overall, an ok place to go.