Maybe I'm a little spoiled coming from California where Asian grocery stores are everywhere and…read morepacked with options, but I've been trying to find good local spots since moving to Lacey. Arirang is one of the smaller Asian markets in the area, so I decided to stop by while looking for pork belly and a specific ingredient--shrimp paste. I was hoping to find fresh pork belly since I'm used to my previous markets having a small butcher or deli section, but the only option here was frozen. It still worked out fine, but I did have to defrost it for a couple of hours before I could cook with it, which wasn't ideal when I was hoping to make lunch right away. One thing I did appreciate was their selection of Korean sides. I was pleasantly surprised to find seasoned black beans, which I really enjoy and don't always see at some markets. Their snack section was okay as well, though the overall selection felt pretty limited--understandable given the size of the store. I thought I might have missed the shrimp paste somewhere in the aisles, but when I asked the cashier, she let me know they were currently out of stock. That was a bit disappointing since I came in with a short list of ingredients and still couldn't find what I needed, so I ended up going to a Vietnamese market down the street afterward. The shop itself is pretty small, and the entrance to the parking lot feels a bit tight but there's a fair amount of spaces to park. I do like that this store is very close to where I live in Lacey, so it's convenient when I just need to stop by quickly. Overall, it's an okay neighborhood market and I might come back here for convenience, but I'm not sure it'll become my go-to spot for bigger Asian grocery shopping trips.

I like going here mostly because of proximity. Located on Martin Way in Lacey, it's a two minute…read moredrive from my home. They have much of what I desire in Korean foods, though I mostly purchase the turnips, fish cake, and kimchee. That said, the prices are on the high end. The store is set in a sloppy way, and the windows are wallpapered with Korean posters (not smart for safety reasons). Also, the parking lot can be tricky getting into and out of. I'll keep going here for my sides, but I'm losing my shirt in doing so. EXAMPLE: Small premade bowls of rice (single serve) are $2.99 each. Same brand, one case of twelve at Costco only $11.99, or $1,00 each. Three at Costco for the price of one at Arirang.

Stopped by this small oriental market recently and had a pretty good experience overall. Parking…read morewas easy to find since the store is located near a few other businesses, so that was already a plus before even stepping inside. I came here to Ben Thanh with a specific mission: finding shrimp paste that I couldn't track down at another oriental market down the street. Thankfully, they had exactly what I was looking for, which immediately earned them some points in my book. It's always a relief when a place carries those harder-to-find items. While browsing the aisles, I was pleasantly surprised to spot a few other things I'd like to come back for in the future, like different varieties of rice and Chinese sausages. One thing that really caught me off guard was that they sold baklava here! I decided to give it a try and, honestly, it tasted pretty good. I didn't do a full grocery haul this time, so I can't really comment on how their prices compare, but for convenience alone it's a great little shop to have nearby. Since I live fairly close in Lacey, I can definitely see myself stopping by again to check out more of their selection. There wasn't really a line; the cashier spoke both English and Vietnamese, was polite, welcoming enough, and quick to ring me up. Overall, a nice little market that came through when I needed it.

What a great selection and excellent pricing packed into a modest sized store! It makes shopping…read moreeasy. Everything was cleanly shelved and the aisles made sense in terms of product layout. Caters very well to southeast Asian cuisines, notably Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai. I quickly grabbed a big jar of kimchi from the cooler, a bag of jasmine rice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and of course dehydrated shitake mushrooms. This allows you to get started with a bare bones Asian meal of rice with sides. Anyway I was well pleased with the prices. I didn't have to sift through massive choice like at H Mart, and I could get shopping done quick!

this is a new grocery, they have such an amazing selection…read moreof foods here, with the best selection of frozen indian /nepalese foods i have ever seen, great spices and ingredients for cooking at home, and options for both meat and vegetarian lovers, spiritual supplies, a small bakery with fresh cakes/ sweets. they will have a restaurant soon- can't wait! the person working here was very kind and friendly. i felt comfortable here and at home shopping for great things to cook, and want to come back soon.

So happy to have this new Indian grocery store in Olympia! The selection is amazing--you can find…read moreeverything you need, from fresh produce and spices to snacks and frozen foods. The store is clean and well-organized. The best part is the customer service--they are friendly and helpful. If you're looking for authentic Indian ingredients, this is the place to go. Highly recommend checking it out!

A friend of mine brought fresh turon to a party and I asked where she got it. She said this…read moreFilipino grocery just a couple of miles away. Came here with Mom to see if they have the stuff we need for making lumpia and pancit so we don't have to go all the way to HMart or Seafood City. They also serve hot food and smoothies for your island munchies along with selling groceries and lots of Filipino clothes, gifts, and souvenirs. It's small, but they do the job. So glad we have a Filipino store in town!

I absolutely love coming here to buy my meats, home made salsa that they make from scratch and any…read moreingredients I need to make for lunch/dinner. I always buy some of their imported snacks... The cashiers are always friendly and so is the butcher. They do charge a fee to use credit or debit. But I don't mind supporting this small business.

I was talking to a friend about where to buy nopales, and she suggested I go to Los Amigos. When I…read morepulled into the parking lot, I realized I had driven past the place 100 times and never knew it was there. Not only did they have nopales (already cleaned, I might add!) but they also had fresh hibiscus for jamaica, as well as some of the nicest plantains I had seen in a long while. I wasn't planning on buying chicharrones, but there they were, sitting hot in their deli section. Real chicharrones, fresh and not the bagged crisps you find in the grocery store. So, so good. Speaking of bagged treats, they are one of the few places in the area that carries Don Beto's plantain chips, so be sure to grab a bag. A little pricey but absolutely worth it. It's a small store and definitely packed with products (hot sauces, hominy, maseca, canned menudo, etc.) but, whatever you do, don't miss out on the fresh baked goods. So many choices! The staff is super friendly, too.

Hong Phat is one of those places I've been coming to for years, but have never reviewed…read more It's a great little market. They always have the things I come for - tofu, sprouts, noodles, Kam Yen Jan sausages, fresh veggies - and their selection of sauces and other condiments is really good. They also have several different brands and types of rice. Their meat section always has oxtail (beef tail), which is great because I never remember that I want oxtail soup until I go there. Most of their produce is very reasonably priced. They always seem to have really nice eggplant. The staff is friendly, and super helpful if you need to ask questions. The store sometimes feels a bit crowded, but that doesn't stop me from shopping there. One note: be careful going in and out of the parking lot. It's on College Way so the traffic can be heavy, especially on a Saturday.

Nice selection, but prefer their competitor on Martin Way. This place is just a bit messy, but…read moretends to be the norm I've found for these specialty stores. I love all things Korean food, and they have all the staples I'd hope for. Heavy road traffic in front of this business, so be careful pulling in and out of the parking lot. Service was nothing special. Just kind of average in many aspects of measurement. Would shop here in a pinch!

A wonderful place to eat, food is great, people are great, and the energy is great. I look forward…read moreto every meal I eat here!

I admit I'm spoiled and definitely have some other favorite Asian grocery stores in the Olympia…read morearea. But Capitol Market is very local to me and I've shopped there a few times over the last year or so. They have a good assortment of sauces, condiments, rice, noodles, soups, seasonings and a solid, but basic, vegetable selection. The freezer cases filled with all sorts of goodies from frozen meats to sweets. Prices seemed pretty reasonable. The service is friendly. The checkout area can get a little crowded with peeps coming in and out the door. PS - The last time I was in, the restaurant next door was open and whatever they were cooking smelled delicious. Note to self: come back to the restaurant and try some pho.

Ramirez Mexican Restaurant & Store is one of those rare places that gets everything right. From the…read moremoment you walk in, the service is exceptional--welcoming, attentive, and genuinely kind in a way that makes you want to linger. The food is incredible: rich, authentic flavors, perfectly prepared, and clearly made with care. Every bite tastes like someone's abuela is in the kitchen making sure it's done right. And then there's the store--absolutely lovely. Beautifully stocked with incredible pastries that are impossible to resist, vibrant piñatas, and so many thoughtful details that make it feel more like a cultural experience than just a quick stop. You can tell pride and love are poured into every corner of the place. Ramirez isn't just a restaurant or a market--it's a community gem. We'll be back again and again, and I'll happily bring anyone visiting from out of town here first.

If the portions matched the prices that would be cool. they charged me 3 dollars for that tiny cup…read moreof guac which was 4 bites mind you... and then i asked for chips and salsa like they serve you at the table and they give me those even smaller cups... its almost offensive