My love affair with kosher grocery stores continues. I know, I know, I fetishize. I can't help it…read more In an effort to get to know my neighbors and support our hood, I've been trying to give my business to (places other than Project Parlor? Good guess!) stores that obviously benefit the immediate community, instead of places like the Associated and Pioneer (scary). In all honesty, for as as much of a affection for my Jewish neighbors as I have (see also: I am a creepy/curious lurker in the non-hipster part of Bedford Ave), I can't claim to know the extent of what keeping kosher actually entails. I do know, however, that I love foreign products, products I've never seen or heard of before that are used exclusively by certain communities of people, and new (to me) cultural experiences. So, I really like Green Fresh Kosher Supermarket. I love how neat and orderly everything is in this store. I showed up right before 8pm (apologies!!) and the workers were mopping the floor. It smelled awesome, btw, like Pinesol or something similar, which reminds me of when I was little and my mom would mop and banish us to one room as she mopped another. I felt like kind of an ass for showing up so late, but I noticed a woman in one of the other aisles, and the cashier called out to me in a friendly tone to watch my step, so I decided it was okay to grab the few things I needed to bake a cake for my coworker's going away party. Everything was really easy to find, which was nice, because I didn't want to take too long, as it was almost closing time. I was particularly excited about the kosher cocoa I bought because the box was gorgeous (it's the small things in life, people, really). This place is inexpensive! I know the cocoa was over eight dollars, and with all of the other ingredients I bought to make a cake and frosting from scratch, I only spent seventeen dollars. I was shocked. I'm quite sure Compare Foods down the street would have been much more expensive, and their cocoa would not have been half as awesome (suck it Hershey's!). Oh and, I was very happy that the cashier (not sure if he's the owner?) was so very sweet and pleasant with me. I was actually so happy that we got to have a short convo that I nearly got run over by turning traffic as I crossed Dekalb in a state of euphoria. Nearly. ;)

I was super excited when I realized this was one of the imported imported snack stores that have…read morebeen popping up across the city. It looked bright,, fun and inviting. That's where the hospitality ended. Upon entering I knew it was definitely 1 that was following the hype. I noticed there was very little information about where the snacks were from or the actual flavor of some. Snacks and drinks bore exorbitant prices, stuck on the bottom/back of the product. $20 snacks and $10 drinks.... the other side of the store is all smoke shop paraphernalia.... it makes sense. You have to be completely zooted to buy from these guys. The worst part of the visit was how the one employee was rude to the folks attempting to patronize the shop. Talking loudly into his cell, his lack of desire to help customers.

Person behind the counter was friendly and helpful. Walked out with some insane Oreos.read more

Visited Malaysia beef jerky and got 2 pounds of jerky. The storefront is small and only fits about…read more3-4 people standing space inside. I got a half pound of spicy pork jerky, half pound of regular pork jerky, half pound of spicy beef, jerky, and half pound of regular beef jerky, along with some coconut pastries, and puffs. They have a lot of biscuits on the shelves behind the counter service was good. There was only one person in front of me when I came on a Saturday morning and my total came out to about $60 with two types of biscuits + 2 lbs of jerky.

I was recently in Ipoh, Malaysia and had the best chicken jerky. When I knew I'd be in New York for…read moretwo days, I made sure I had time to pick up some because fresh jerky is hard to find in Northern California. Malaysia Beef Jerky is a tiny shop located on Mott Street in Chinatown. They have all kinds of jerky - beef, chicken and pork. They are already sliced and you buy them by the weight. I got half pound of chicken and half pound of spicy pork and came out to be $36! Whoa, I had no idea it was that expensive for a pound of jerky! To be fair, they were delicious! It was fresh, good texture, thinly sliced and flavorful. Most importantly, it brought back happy memories of my trip to Malaysia. Service was quick and they do take credit card.

This was some of the best food I've ever tasted. And the owner is adorable and makes every plate…read morewith love. 10/10 must try if you are in Brooklyn!! The sobrasada was absolutely incredible and there is a new off menu Escalavada egg plant roasted peppers goat cheese sandwich was one of the best things I have ever tasted. Try the beer on tap it is so balanced and delicious.

Love this place ! Spain vacation in the neighborhood. Sweet woman making amazing sandwiches…read moredeserves a shout out.

Was recently going thru a severe bout of arthritis in my lower back and knees. Started eliminating…read morefoods that don't help with arthritis. And find some foods that benefit the body. Thats how I ended up at Grand Tea. Stopped by late morning and was totally enamored with this small tea shop. It's like you never can see everything first time around. While looking for a matcha bowl. I found a wonderful 16oz teapot. The wonderful lady that worked there was pleasant and very helpful. I looked at teas that were available and decided on the 13 year old Da Hong Pao black tea. Price was $10 an ounce. I asked her what was her favorite tea was? And she replied the same tea. She filled a bag with tea leaves and wrapped my new tea pot. What I found out is you can get approximately 6 to 10 steeps on these tea leaves. Surprisingly by changing diet and adding black tea to my diet. My arthritis has subsided for now. I am not saying this tea was the cure. But it did contribute to more peace and serenity. The black tea has attributes of a soothing nature. Also this black tea has less caffeine than other fresh tea leaves. Will definitely be back when my tea supply runs low.

Grand Tea and Imports is a fantastic place to find special teas from China. They have several…read morepu-erh teas from young to vintage aged; black teas, some of which I cannot get enough of; green teas I usually do not drink, because I over steep them; and Oolong teas which fit nicely between the black and green teas and one I cannot get enough of. There is so much more than tea available in this crowded shop. I only avail myself of the tea, but the family proprietors have always been most helpful, engaging and educational regarding the teas and even the cultural events, such as the Chinese New Year. It's a challenge in a shop that can be very busy at times and crowded in the narrow aisles with product nearby and patrons trying to squeeze by each other without knocking anything over. Somehow, I don't mind all this and it adds charm to the shop. Some of the teas are rare finds and especially with the vintage Pu-erh teas. I still have one Pu-erh tea from 1993! It's drinking so smoothly and no sugar or honey is required. I have been there several times over the past seven years or so and they remember me now. The tea does not come cheaply, but this is quality tea, vintage tea, and unique teas you will not find everywhere, sourced by the family from China through their own acquisitions. Authentic, and you will not forget the experience and taste. 4.3 stars!

Can't say enough positive things about this new little market. My wife and I spend a month each…read moresummer in Spain, and we are excited to see some of our favorite products on the shelves. We went in for some tapas with our one-year-old daughter, and the customer service was incredible. Everyone there working was super kind and even gave us little toys to keep our daughter occupied while we ate some delicious bocadillos and gambas al ajillo. They even have a cute little reading nook. Everyone there was so nice, and we can't wait to go back regula

An eclectic selection. Pintxos, pickle snacks and sandwiches. Clean, new and you can get some…read morespecialty shopping done.

My family would come here often for our produce which there is a good selection. Prices are…read morecompetitive as they have a good selection of Asian veggies. Always crowded as it's packed with long lines and patrons are elbow-to-elbow room where it's definitely squeezing an adult size elephant into a sedan car, minus the oxygen. This market is not large but with the amount of patrons shopping for groceries I could not take the lack of space and waited outside for my parents to finish their shopping. I believe it's cash only as New Long Hing Market does not accept credit or debit cards in any form. I rate it four stars, like any Chinatowns in any city/country, for the lack of cleanliness.

Best produce grocery on East Broadway! They have a produce stand on the street, but the rest of the…read moreaction is below ground. They have a huge variety of vegetables and seafood all at very competitive prices. All the vegetables are loose (i.e. not packaged) which is great because you can just buy as much as you want. They have a lot of the standard vegetables you'll find in non-Asian NYC groceries, but obviously it's mostly Asian vegetables so this probably won't be your only produce stop. They have a few packaged Chinese goods in the back but not much, so I usually hit up Hong Kong Supermarket after I come here. Warning: this place gets pretty insanely crowded from time to time. OK, who am I kidding, it's always insane. Don't be shy and push your way through the crowd like everyone else.