I may actually prefer the Madison branch to the Huntsville one. Be that as it may or may not, this nice, clean, bright store is located in Richland Plaza, just a short hop from the forebodingly named Slaughter Road.
Visiting here was a pleasant experience made all the more agreeable by the owner's son, Ruowen Zheng, who served as a temporary, impromptu guide, answering all questions, making recommendations, clearing up confusion, and pointing out new and/or favorite items. Every international grocery needs this, but as my grandmother would say, "Wish in one hand..."
Far East Madison (it needs its own name; perhaps West Far East?) is a nice, bright market. I am told produce comes in fresh on various days, but apparently a treasure trove arrives on Tuesdays, if the well-stocked aisle, surrounded by recently delivered boxes, is any indication. As you walk in, the register's on the left, the aforementioned produce is dead ahead, and the candy and snacks selection begins on the right.
You'll find many of the usual brands, such as Pocky, Hello Panda, and KitKats, stocked next to a load of Mochi. I did find Bali's Best coffee candies, which I love, but also got the chance to try Jack 'n Jill X.O. Classic Coffee Candy: a welcomed change and something new, but I'm sticking with the superior, "creamy" Bali's Best offerings, and am not alone in that feeling.
On my first visit, I was gifted with a bag of Hongyuan Hard Candy (Guava), which I'm told is very popular, despite being a somewhat singular flavor. Some of my friends enjoyed it, while others said nothing which, ironically, says a lot.
Ruowen tried in vain to sell me on the Cooked, Marinated Eggs, which sat in bags right on the shelf with all those other things that actually have SHELF LIVES, but it was no go. I'm as experimental as the next foodie, but those experiments don't include bringing myself back after flat-lining, no matter how many questions I have for my great-grandparents. He says his mother makes her own version for him at home. It's up to you to determine whether that's an "I Remember Mama" move, or a "Mommy Dearest."
You'll note I said the snacks "begin" here, because there's another aisle with even more Cookies, Wafers, and Crackers, some of which are Filipino. That's particularly nice to know, given products from the Philippines are much harder to find since Sunshine Filipino Grocery moved from Highway 72 and onto the archived City Directory shelf of the Library's Heritage Room.
As is to be expected, there's an area literally teeming with dried Soups (they referred to it as their "Ramen Aisle"); a very varied Rice selection, including Black Glutinous and Purple varieties; and a sizeable Coffee/Tea area, which even included those beautiful, yet muted-colored, cans of Café du Monde...but alas, no beignets. If you buy it, just deck out in purple and green, throw some powdered sugar all over yourself, and dream of Justin Wilson.
Of course, you'll happen upon assorted Spices and what one might call "fixin's"...of all stripes.
Imported, canned seafood is common, so I tried both Eel and Squid...and would take them over Sardines any day, though I need to check on the comparative cholesterol levels and I halted a moment when I felt that I might have been eating what were in fact tiny squid BEAKS. Either way, these would be handy and pertinent décor for the aforementioned NOLA experience.
There's a wealth of freezer items, including many which I'm told appeal particularly to the area vegans and vegetarians who are frequent customers.
In my carnivorous case, the frozen, already prepped Squid most readily caught my eye. I've stir-fried the fresh version on many an occasion, but some of FE's ice-covered cephalopods were not only already sliced up, they boasted that diamond-scored pattern that ensures the visual treat one can only enjoy from preying on intelligent sea creatures.
Soft Tofu, Hard Tofu, and more Tofu are also found within, leaving you with a somewhat less-guilty feeling, though sidetracking our slightly superior standing in the Food Chain.
You should note the hours here were recently expanded and they now open from 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. every day except Sunday, when they close at 6:00 p.m. read more