This small grocery store off of Highway 494 offers a variety of Southeast Asian herbs, vegetables, condiments, spices, and snacks. While I wouldn't consider it a destination, my ma and I found things there that stores don't have sometimes. Examples include the following: - Banana flowers and rau ti, for pho bun bo hue. - Thai basil and culantro, for pho. - Non-MSG, mushroom seasoning, for all cooking. They also have banh mi, sesame balls, and other goodies, but they don't make them fresh. (They're imported from somewhere else.) Again, I wouldn't go out of my way to buy the things I need there, but it's a decent alternative. They also sell those Asian blankets, too! (The ones with the enormous animals on them. lol.) read more

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 :-) read more

Asian Direct Oriental Market - parking lot - International Grocery Near Me - Richfield, Minnesota

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. read more

This is a pretty decent Asian store which I found items I needed. Had plenty of supplies when I went and was happy being my first time visiting this store. read more

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 & 77th. 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 77th 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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

They always have a wonderful selection of animal proteins, noodles and veggies that you wont find at cub or target. Parking is super awkward but manageable. Reason for two stars is we've just been getting a lot of product which is expired lately. I brought some canned items to her attention when checking out, only to watch her return them to the shelf. Do understand they are running tight margins and wish them all the best! I'll continue to shop as alternatives are hard to find - but please make sure to toss expired product away. read more

I shop at the Savage location that they own and everytime I go in there I am greeted with a smile from the owners. I am an American married to a Cambodian (trying to learn the language) and shopping for ingredients is really hard for me. I ask for help and they have always helped me and I have never had a bad experience...plus I am seeing more Americans shopping there now too...which is nice not the be the only white person! read more

I've been shopping at Asian Direct since 2005. I believe it's a vietnamese owned business. I had no problem with the restaurant being a child and have gotten used to it's conditions. So I suppose I am rather oblivious to how non-Asian Americans see the store. I may be biased towards the store, but I'd say the attitude of the employees is average; sometimes good, sometimes indifferent. I have had similar experiences with these attitudes at other asian stores. I've grown to be considerate in that people have their good and bad days. So I'm just like whatever. When you grow up buying produce from asian markets you learn to check things before you buy them. I love the store not so much for service, but the products. It's a relatively small and quiet store, so there isn't alot compared to American stores. What you can count on the most are the candy and drinks. For other products, "check them all before you buy." If I remember correctly my family would wait for certain days to go out and buy things because we had knowledge about when they would bring in fresh produce. What I love most are the Pork and Pâté Vietnamese sandwiches (Banh Mi), the asian drinks, and the little asian candies they have. There is an option for one of the employees to carry heavy objects for you to your car. For example, rice and those rectangular soybean packages full of soybean cans. I have not experienced any bad service. Nor have I witnessed anyone else experience any bad treatment. But be aware that there is a sign that says they reserve the right to refuse service. read more