This place is getting worse by the minute. Pricing is ok. Not many discounted items as before, and…read morethe facility is definitely falling apart. With two new Asian stores nearby, they really do need to do something fast to improve and compete.

The Asian grocery scene is definitely getting competitive in Schaumburg, with Joong Boo down the…read morestreet, Mitsuwa not too far away and H Mart opening...eventually. And yes, in case you didn't know, while it's called "International", all those nations are in Asia. We come here mainly for two things - either getting ingredients to make hot pot at home, or just eating hot pot here. They also have dry pot, which my wife and I really like as an option. You grab a basket and fill it with whatever veggies you want, then a separate one and fill it with proteins, then you pay by the weight. You can either get it hot pot style in a big bowl of hot broth, or dry pot where they cook it in the broth but serve your food already cooked. As far as the grocery selection, they have a big seafood selection and a decent butcher area. Also a lot of Asia snacks and frozen selection, and a small liquor section too. Produce is fine. But if you're making hot pot at home, they have the sliced meat, soup base, sauces, and a little frozen fish ball self-serve area. If you don't want to eat hot pot here, they serve other Asian hot dishes, and there's a bubble tea spot and bakery here, but I haven't tried anything else besides the hot pot. Sense a trend yet? It's not as big as Joong Boo, and it's bigger than the current H Mart for now but will be interesting to see how the new one compares. Overall it's a fine grocery store and we'll come back when that craving for mala spice strikes.

Meaning 'Central Region' in Korean, this location of Joong Boo Market in Schaumburg opened in 2024…read more Came back to this location to get food for my dad's Jesa on his 5th death anniversary. Their selection of fruits were great, allowing me to choose exactly the pieces that I wanted. They really upped their game in their store made soups as well: bought the kimchi and bean sprout soup, and I really liked it, tasting it the next day. Prices weren't too bad either.

I was in Schaumburg and decided to check this place out because of all the TikTok hype. It's a…read morenice, smaller Asian market located down the street from the mall, with a wide array of products. The store was clean and had a good overall ambiance. Service was average--when I asked staff about a few items, it seemed like they were still getting familiar with the layout, as I was directed to the wrong areas a couple of times. In terms of pricing, I found it to be a bit higher compared to other Asian markets in the area. Nothing really stood out as exceptional or above average. Overall, if you're in the area, it's worth stopping by to check it out, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

It's nice that we have an Indian market in the Schaumburg/Hanover Park area, so we don't have to…read moredrive to Patel Brothers on Higgins. The biggest difference between Indian Express and Patel Bros is the size. Indian express is smaller and has less items but still has all the essentials. It's a good place to shop when you just need to pick up a few items. We've been there twice since their grand opening, and the employees are friendly, and items are still well-stocked. There is a distinct smell when you enter the market, but eventually you will get used to it. I am not sure I will stop going to Patel Bros, but I like the fact I have a market closer for any last-minute items I forgotten. Lastly, they do not have prepared hot foods (e.g. puffs, jabeli, rotis, etc.) like Patel Brothers and IndiGo.

From the owner: Fresh Grocery, Fruits, Spices and Pantry Staples, Indian Snacks, Frozen Food/ snacks and many other…read moreitems.

The little things matter, they add up, and do not go unnoticed. These little details is where…read moreTensuke Market truly shines above and beyond other specialty/import grocers. The baseline meets expectations. For a store of this size, they have a very good selection of Japanese and other Asian products, imported and domestic. Further, their selection of house-made items, like the tsukemono is impressive! The store is very clean (restrooms included), and well-stocked. The prices are on the higher side, but this is common and expected from a specialty market. They also have a food court - one counter sells all the food (rather than multiple stalls). The selection is fair with bowls, sushi, ramen, and other apps, IIRC. The dining area is massive and very well through out. There is free water, large containers of miso soup (which one is apparently free to refill at their heart's content). Bonus points for not having to carry (and spill) hot soup on the way there. While the area is clean, there are table wipes provided. The only thing missing is unlimited green tea like many places have in Japan, but given the cost of matcha in the US, I understand, and am by no means complaining. I'd ordered a bowl with various kinds of seafood. While not a masterwork, it was excellent for the category of items prepared in a grocery store. There are other small things which go a long way in the big picture view: The staff are helpful and friendly, think a Trader Joe's like attitude; increasingly rare in retail. At the register, items that have the potential to leak are sealed in small plastic bags. Going further, there are small bags of ice (think school nurse for playground boo-boo's sized) to help keep delicate items cold and fresh. Final thing I loved: the parking lot has ample EV charging, and there is even a charger by an accessible parking spot. Though I don't need an accessible spot, I appreciate that those who have a need and drive a plug-in are able to charge. Final verdict: Tensuke delivers an all around excellent experince, with a great selection, friendly staff, and little details like preventing items form leaking and free ice making the experience truly top notch. Would recommend?: Yes, especially if you're a fan of Asian cuisine. Would return?: Absolutely, I see myself going at least once a month, or when the snacks run out!

Since they relocated to their new building, I wanted to stop by and check out the new location…read more Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed to find out that the food court restaurant was closed and wouldn't reopen until 4 PM. Since I was already there and hungry, I decided to grab one of the hot premade meals instead. I went with the spicy kimchi yaki udon. This dish definitely packed a lot of heat, but I felt like it was missing some flavor to balance out the spice. The udon noodles were cooked well and had a nice chewy texture. At $8, the value wasn't bad either, and it definitely did the job of satisfying my hunger. I'll have to come back another time when the food court is open so I can try some of their freshly prepared dishes. Hopefully, the next visit will be a better experience!

Wow. I found myself…read morein Arlington Heights, and my buddy suggested this place due to an upcoming trip to Japan in 2027. It's a Japanese market that features an amazing food court (and this is where I spent all my time.) I don't recall the name of the stall I purchased from. But I can tell you it was quick, not expensive and very filling. I had a bowl with beef and noodles; for dessert I hit the matcha dessert stall for some matcha and vanilla ice cream. The whole place meal me feel like I was dining outside the state of Illinois. The service from everyone in the market was very friendly and they even had a sake/soju tasting by the front door (and the vendors allowed you try was much as you wanted.) I highly recommend this spot

If you love Japanese culture, food, and want to visit a neat place and kind of feel like you are…read morevisiting Japan, you need to visit Mitsuwa! Not only is there a food court of different Japanese restaurants to try, there is also a grocery store, bakery, bookstore, and stores that sell ice cream, traditional desserts, as well as crepes and boba tea! My family and I visit here often every year and we like to try the different foods and desserts and then check out the bookstore and grocery store afterwards. My favorite foods so far have been the beef udon soup with a soft boiled egg, shrimp and vegetable tempura, miso soup, and Japanese curry with rice, beef, and vegetables (carrots and potatoes). My son always gets the chicken and beef on a stick and my daughter usually gets a garlic pork dish with white rice but I forget what this dish is called. My husband also enjoys the beef udon soup like I do. I swear that whenever my food is finished, I am legit sad! The crepes are good, there is a variety of boba teas to try, and the ice creams are delicious! Lychee has been my favorite so far but I have yet to try the matcha, red bean, among others! You can get a small sample of different ice cream flavors too, which is nice! I sampled the red bean flavor so that will be my go-to next time! At the grocery store, I love buying Happy Turn snacks which are like a sweet and salty crunchy cracker (maybe it is made of rice?) that are individually wrapped and mochi from the fridge area. Finally, I usually like to buy mochi from the store right next to the bookstore. The mochi from this location is the best! I usually buy multiple flavors to take home and eat at a later time! You must try these! My kids love checking out the bookstore and they usually pick something out for me to buy for them - whether it is a book, keychain, etc. There are magazines, anime figurines, soft plushy toys, pens, and stationary, etc. It is interesting to browse through the things they have there! You cannot bring food or drinks inside but they do have a shelf at the entrance where you can place your drink there if you like. The first time visiting here, the majority of the customers were Asians and as the years have passed, there is now more of an influx of non-Asians who simply love the food and appreciate the culture, which I think is neat! The first time I visited here was with my college roommate who was from Japan and she recommended this place back in 2009 perhaps? I have been visiting ever since with my family. We travel more than an hour from Wisconsin to come here but it is 100% worth the drive! Also, the cashiers and workers there are quick, efficient, and friendly. I have even been able to practice a few of the Japanese phrases I have learned with a couple of the cashiers too (I asked if they spoke Japanese first)! Overall, Mitsuwa is my happy place! Great food, interesting finds, different culture, and everyone there looks excited to be there. This is as close to visiting Japan as I can get until I keep learning more Japanese and save up enough money to go visit Japan someday! This is my dream! In the meantime, we will keep visiting Mitsuwa!

Uwielbiam przychodzić do tego sklepu! This is a must stop every time I'm in town so I can stock up…read moreon all the Polish goodies. I really think this place has improved over the last few years because the employees are nicer, the shelves are always stocked, and the store itself is cleaner. Their bakery items are super tasty and my family gets them for multiple occasions. I'm always happy to get some when I'm in town.

Wowzas! This place is Polish delight heaven! A Polish grocery store with all your Polish essentials…read moreand then some. Their produce selection isn't that large, but you don't go for produce. You go for their meats, they're ready to eat goods, bakery, Polish essentials, and then some! A great assortment of paczkis were available when I went (between Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday) all baked in house. Their dessert counter was also hard to ignore. Staff was friendly and they were answering whatever questions I had about all the delicious treats. Before you hit the baked goods, you have to go through their enormous deli/meats counter! Sausages for every kind of person, even non pork sausages. Are you looking for pierogi? If you go anywhere else, you're a fool because they have all kinds and are less expensive than other grocers who deem themselves as international. Polish condiments galore, tea sets, and even Polish periodicals. We really enjoyed picking up some great Polish goodies that are hard to find. It's bustling and clean. While much of the staff speak Polish, they also have many English speakers to help the non-Polish folks (ehem, me) out. I, luckily, had the other half of the Polishstinian to help me order my kabanos of veal. It's lively and certainly a stacked grocer to get all your needs for a great Polish breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Clean, organized Asian store in Elgin with a nice variety of of produce, canned and other packaged…read moregroceries. Their prices are very reasonable. The location is very convenient if you're in the far west suburbs and don't want to drive to Naperville, Schaumburg or Chicago for your Asian grocery needs. They'll have 80% of what you may need.

This is a solid Vietnamese - Thai market offering everything you might need in the way of feted and…read morefermented jungle-delicacies, like dried lily-flower, dehydrated salt-cured plant chunks, any sauce with fish juice in it, and every leaf or green that can't grow anywhere near Chicago. Boy was I elated when I found this place. It's gamy here, and a little rundown, with prices around 20% higher than in Los Angeles (where I used to live). But otherwise, shop here - this place is SE Asian Food Supply Perfection.

I stopped in to pick up some seasonings for a dish I wanted to try. I got sidetracked by the smell…read moreof pre-cooked foods to go, like samosas, samosa puffs and veggie spring rolls. The desserts looked good. The aisles were a little confusing to me and I stood at the food counter for several minutes before anyone even asked if I needed help. The samosas were tasty. The spring roll was too spicy for my tastes and a little greasy. On the weekends, the parking lot here can be challenging. Apparently, not everyone seems to understand ONE WAY parking lanes here, as I have seen people drive the wrong way towards me as I was trying to exit. If I return, it definitely will be a on a slower weekday!

-1 -- Terrible Customer Service, Avoid This Store…read more Bought dosa batter that was already airtight sealed in-store. Returned the next day and the owner blamed ME for storing it wrong. The audacity? They accepted 2 out of 3 returns and flat-out refused the third -- zero logic. Owner Chintan Patel clearly has no respect for loyal, regular customers. Treated like trash after spending my hard-earned money here. Save yourself the headache -- shop at any other Indian grocery store. Never coming back.

The food(catering )at the wedding was amazing! I especially loved the galbi--it was absolutely…read moredelicious!

heard the chicken wings (깐풍기) were good here and cheaper/better than joongboo so gave it a shot!…read moreit's delicious! they are located in a food warmer thing near the left of the market past the roasted seaweed (김). went on a thursday around 4pm and there 4 left. my friend went on a sunday around 7pm and they were gone. it's a pretty small market and nice to have in the area. only keeping as 3 stars because of how expensive everything else is compared to joongboo or hmart.

Warning: Expert level love of exotic ethnic foods required…read more I've only had authentic Nigerian cuisine at one other location- love it, been there many times. I seek it out. Bomie is an international grocery /restaurant. I think there were 3 tables. I had the ayamashe, take out. Super spicy as expected; Gave me the face sweats with 5 min flat. Super good. Served stewed with bones, and all the yummy bits- yum. Sweet fried plantains were good too. Saving the meat pie app it came with for lunch for tomorrow. I wish them luck. When I moved to mchenry county a few years back, I noticed a major lack of good unique ethnic foods. I hope that changes soon. ill be back. Much more I want to try here.

Best African grocery store and restaurant in northern surburb in Chicago.read more