DK Market

If you like to mix it up in the kitchen and come out with a load full of groceries for a very pleasingly low price, than DK Market may become your new grocery food haunt. This is not the place for everyone. Some have likened it to a kind of "Winco" of an Asian, Russian, Indian, Filipino persuasion. I love it and especially like the fact that I can come and find new taste treats that differ from the previous visit's, but are just as welcome.

It is in a huge warehouse space, with pallets as display cases and a definite chill to the air (dress warmly for an extended stay). There is tea, jams, juices, spices, canned goods and dried legumes.

The bread selection is always improving. There are fresh selections from Russian and Asian bakeries, as well as pita bread and nan bread sitting side by side for sale. The Vietnamese Bakery's croissants and the Russian Rye bread are not to be missed. There is also something for the sweet tooth. Try the Chinese "Cocktail Buns" with the coconut inside. Personal favorite.

The produce selection is good and cheap. I bought a bunch of fresh mint for 79 cents, where it goes for more than three times that at Safeway. Russet potatoes were the same price as Red and Yellows. Cauliflower was a little over a dollar a head. I made out like a bandit.


This is a good place to come if you are on a budget, like to cook and want to experiment in your cooking routine.

Did you get enough chocolate for Christmas?

More and more, the parking lot seems to be crowded, so the word must be getting around. Inside the store, there are two structures housing a Russian Deli and a Vietnamese Herbalist. Weekends tend to be busy, so be forewarned. It is a treasure in the rough, probably why the prices are still so good.

DK Market

720 Lind Ave SW
Renton, WA 98057

(425) 228-2635

Uwajimaya Opens it's doors today

Renton Village Shopping Center has a new shingle added to their line-up of stores - Uwajimaya. Today at 9 am the doors will open and a new era of grocery shopping will begin in what used to be the local Thriftway market. Uwajimaya is a specialty Asian grocery store that provides fresh produce and specializes in fresh seafood and meat . Their flagship store in Seattle is a mecca for many a shopper looking for anything from Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian - you name it, food provisions. Prices at that store are reasonable, staff courteous and store well maintained.

I tried to get a few shots in for you, being the intrepid Picaroon poster that I am, but the staff were hesitant to let me show you anything. The place was semi-full of produce and stocked shelves, but it was obvious that a lot more had to be done to make it to the 9 am deadline. But what I did observe looked good. They will have a weekly flyer with store specials, brightly colored and tasty in content. I can hardly wait.

What I was able to report on was the Human Resources Director, with over 20 years work history with Uwajimaya in Seattle, out slinging hamburgers on a grill to feed the workers going all out to meet the looming opening deadline.
I really like a place that looks after the welfare of it's workers. Bonus points already for our newest store addition. I think that if you work in the food industry, it should go without saying that you feed your employees. They are the back off of which you make your income and your best frontline media representatives. If they are happy, so will the customers they are serving. Can you tell that I thought the burgers looked yummy?

Head on over today and see what is new in the way of food in Renton.

Uwajimaya Renton Village Shopping Center 501 S. Grady Way
Regular store hours Monday - Saturday 7am-10pm Sunday 9am-9pm
www.Uwajimaya.com
Grand Opening Ceremony July 15, 2009

East meets West - Asian shopping at it's best

It's like shopping at Safeway, if you were in an South Asia. Miles of incredible products that suit those who like to cook Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino or Chinese food as well as an entire area that nods to the Mexican cuisine needs. The seafood counter is fresh and impressive, and you can buy your staples, such as milk and eggs here as well. The fresh fruits and produce section is so varied and lovely - where else in Renton could you find Rambutan right now, I wonder? Plus, a very nice cooler full of bottled beer to select from (I mean, come on - that's a staple to someone, right?)

Our Renton Viet Wah Asian Food Market opened about a year ago and received an award from the City of Seattle in 2008 in the Grocery Division. The Viet Wah Group has a restaurant, which some of the baked goods they carry came from, as well as other 2 other store locations. They began some years ago and have far outgrown their "found in Chinatown" beginnings. Viet Wah looks far and wide for the food goods they carry, sometimes working closely overseas with vendors to get the products they need.

One thing nice is that at the back of this very clean, very nicely appointed store (oh, and did I mention - really low prices?!) there is a sign showing you to the detached cafe front that Viet Wah operates selling Bubble Tea, Bahn Mihn sandwiches for just $2.50 and some hot food as well. It looks like a chipper little cafe with a couple of tables to eat at and an all around nice vibe. You can shop and eat all in one stop. I always like that - we should make sure that our appetites are assuaged before doing any serious shopping for sundry kitchen items. Otherwise you end up with a cart full of beer and dried cuttlefish, and crackers shaped like Hello Kitty's head.

Viet Wah Supermarket

Renton

2820 N.E. Sunset Blvd. Renton, WA 98056 Get directions

425-336-6888

Everyday 9am - 8pm

Shopping "flavor" on Wells Ave.

Tienda Mi Familia is like the little Latin American provisions store that you keep meaning to try, but are missing out on - until now. Maria, who is far more friendly than her sober photo implies, has been operating her store for two years come April 11th. This is a store you should put into your rotation for your Mexican meal fixins. Beans, tamale wraps, sauces, seasonings, spices - and bakery items in the front case. I personally am fond of the beautiful pinatas for sale and the fresh tamales that you can pick up when too lazy to cook, but know that someone else did. Come summer, there is a case full of tropical flavored popsicles. They even have a metal press to make your tortillas from scratch. Invite me over when that happens.

Tienda Mi Familia 216 Wells Ave. S. (425) 793 - 7272

Thriftway is closing

You have just three weeks of some probably good sales shopping before Uwajimaya takes over the Thriftway Grocery Store located in the Renton Village Shopping Center. Starting on Sunday, the store hours will be 7 am until 8 pm and all stock is 20% off.
The new owners have a very solid history of providing excellent Asian specialty items as well regular supermarket fare, along with an emphasis on high quality produce, meats and fresh seafood. However, many will miss this store and the staff are having a hard time coming to grips with the sudden lack of employment. Seems you need to speak more than one language to meet the new hiring requirements at the store-to-be. Thriftway carried my favorite soap - guess it's time to stock up.
Renton Village Thriftway (425)226-2830 501 S. Grady Way, Renton

Photo:Chris G OR/Flickr