When shopping in Chinatown, it's a challenge for those who seek specific things. Who has the best cabbage? Who has the best fruits? Who is less or more expensive?
The majority of the vegetable and fruit stores are on Stockton Street, spanning from Clay Street to Vallejo Street. Perhaps it is best to follow the crowds and lines, observing which has the largest crowd or longest lines. When it comes to fruits, it gets tricky as most will have your garden variety (pun intended) apples, oranges, tangerines, pears, etc. For those who seek more exotic fruits, you can pare the number to three or four stores. The one that I bought the most in the past was on Jackson Street but they have been closed for over three months. There was a sign posted that they would reopen in a month but... still crickets. There is a new awning and business name on it but, again, no opening date is posted and I don't know if it will be the same business.
Anyway, the listing on the popular search engine still lists this business as May Sun Market which matches the Chinese name. The awning and signage (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=TqFXO9eXQqDCMGnInvKO-Q) should be current. I've walked here on many occasions on the advice of a friend to find particular fruits such as Hawaiian papayas. Said friend asked me to find lychee (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=CYT_kWlITO8bvGbejSgV3A) and guava (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=wVGuQrD1IFyDdsm5bhtpBw) so I completed my mission here. Besides getting the fruits for my friend, I bought a bag of lychee for my mom and me to share. I had some a few days later and they were sweet and juicy though the pit is on the larger side. I cannot read the Chinese characters on the listed sign so I'm not sure whether they are from Hawaii, Florida, or Asia. Prior to 2020, they also were the only store in Chinatown that sold a particular Hawaiian papaya brand in Chinatown, one that I found consistently good. Sadly, I have not seen them in recent years.
I will likely stop here again next week when we finish those lychee and get more.
*** I will be reviewing other stores in Chinatown as I believe this information is useful with the Chinese New Year celebration almost upon us. Happy shopping! read more