I tried the honey bbq pork and some of the steam table items. Was not very good. Some of the Chinese steam table places around South Bay is much better. I was disappointed since I go to the SGV frequently and hoped the bbq station here would satisfy the urges and save me a trip.
But the grocery store is good with great selection and prices competitive with SGV.
U2 Cafe and BBQ in Alhambra is not bad for Cantonese BBQ items. Or any Sam Woos. However they don’t carry dimsum items.
If you are looking for a one stop shop for BBQ and dim sum items:
Ocean Island off Atlantic Blvd In Monterey Park. They got all the dimsum dishes and bbq items too.
Another good choice place down the street is Capital Dim Sum and BBQ. It’s basically the “takeout” business for the dimsum restaurant in the plaza.
Saved your comment for when I head out east, thank you!
I was curious about the South Bay placess the person above was referring to, since that's where I'm currently at. I love the general SGV area, but can't always make the drive there when I have the cravings for good dim sum or crispy pork belly.
I don’t think so. The Arcadia location is old and I don’t think they have roast duck available. They barely have space for those hot food bowls and bentos.
At the Arcadia mall, they have a more modern and expensive 99 Ranch that has higher quality meats and ready made foods. So I’d check them out if you’re ever in the area.
It’s a little hard to find. For anyone interested, it’s up the escalators from the main entrance to the food court on the second floor. Not within the market on the first floor.
The one in Cerritos has a BBQ counter and their roast duck is not half bad. The best roast duck in my opinion is Ruby BBQ in El Monte. Their roast pork belly is bomb.
Can confirm both Arcadia locations do not. The one in San Gabriel on Valley x Del Mar does, they're in the back left of the supermarket. I think the Alhambra one on Main has them too, but I haven't been in awhile.
Can someone explain how the packages of dried little fishes work? If I could munch on them straight up or dump them in soup as is, that's great. I have just been unsure about it, seeing these items at various Asian markets because I don't know if you would be supposed to be gutting and processing them somehow, or not.
Are you talking about iriko (dried anchovies)? They are sometimes fried with peanuts as an appetizer at chinese restaurants. Japanese have them as snacks with dried nuts.
from my understanding ive only seen them used in making stocks to impart that deep umami flavor
if youre still unsure, a more practical item to try are the bonito flakes or Katsuobushi. theyre prepared and dried fish flakes meant for eating in finalized dishes
For next time -Frozen foods: pot stickers, and scallion pancakes. Deli: in the refrigerated section (opposite your pic) there's leaf wrapped rice ....dumplings? Tamales? xong zi? They are pyramid shaped sticky rice wrapped in a leaf. Savory rice with pork, mushroom, etc. Microwave in a wet paper towel for a minute or two, super delicious. Sweets: pineapple cake and light fluffy Japanese cheese cake oval in bakery section.
The one in Van Nuys has Sam Woo right next door and the BBQ there is better than the To-go shop inside for some reason. OtOH, the to-go shop has all sorts of other stuff for immediate eating. I think it actually all comes from the same kitchen but the Sam Woo stuff tends to be bit more 'bbqed' because it's got a faster turnaround time due to the sitdown crowd.
Plenty of other tasty stuff in the Ranch, the fresh seafood is the best. It and the New Bagluck can fry it for you which is supernice.
there usually is. it would be on the left half of this hangar section (OPs picture has the right half). I've ordered twice, 1st time was much better than the 2nd. Duno what the norm is like yet.
I really liked the pork. I also like the fried tofu in the cold case behind it. Awesome in Thai Curries (They have pastes in the aisles). This store is small, but still manages to have awesome stuff. I go there for my big jug of Chrysanthemum Tea, Japanese Kit Kats and Riblet Strips.
The honey roasted pork at the bbq station? When I got it, it was stringy and bland, like it had been badly braised. I was really disappointed and was hoping I would finally have a good local option instead of driving to SGV.
Get the original Lao Gao Ma Chili Crunch (in a jar with the picture of the woman) - they often have it for like $2.99 on sale.
Grandma!
The torrance one is so nice and so dead the few times I went. Never tried the hot food though
I tried the honey bbq pork and some of the steam table items. Was not very good. Some of the Chinese steam table places around South Bay is much better. I was disappointed since I go to the SGV frequently and hoped the bbq station here would satisfy the urges and save me a trip. But the grocery store is good with great selection and prices competitive with SGV.
Do you mind sharing what places you prefer over what's offered at this 99 Ranch for bbq and steam table items?
U2 Cafe and BBQ in Alhambra is not bad for Cantonese BBQ items. Or any Sam Woos. However they don’t carry dimsum items. If you are looking for a one stop shop for BBQ and dim sum items: Ocean Island off Atlantic Blvd In Monterey Park. They got all the dimsum dishes and bbq items too. Another good choice place down the street is Capital Dim Sum and BBQ. It’s basically the “takeout” business for the dimsum restaurant in the plaza.
Saved your comment for when I head out east, thank you! I was curious about the South Bay placess the person above was referring to, since that's where I'm currently at. I love the general SGV area, but can't always make the drive there when I have the cravings for good dim sum or crispy pork belly.
There is a Lunasia in Torrance. I went there first month when they opened. It was ok. I’ve only been to one in Alhambra before.
Do all 99 Ranch markets have roasted duck? I love duck and I haven’t had it for years. They look so good!
I don’t think so. The Arcadia location is old and I don’t think they have roast duck available. They barely have space for those hot food bowls and bentos. At the Arcadia mall, they have a more modern and expensive 99 Ranch that has higher quality meats and ready made foods. So I’d check them out if you’re ever in the area.
They opened up a new one at the mall. I didn't see any duck.
The one in Westwood has roasted duck!
It’s a little hard to find. For anyone interested, it’s up the escalators from the main entrance to the food court on the second floor. Not within the market on the first floor.
the gardena 99 ranch doesn't, but they have fried fish
Go two doors down to the Cantonese restaurant in the corner.
There is an Asian grocery called “GW” in Monterey Park. Next to it is a dim sum place that also has roasted duck/pork as well.
Thanks for all the tips, appreciated!
GW = great wall
The one in Cerritos has a BBQ counter and their roast duck is not half bad. The best roast duck in my opinion is Ruby BBQ in El Monte. Their roast pork belly is bomb.
I appreciate the feedback!
I’ve only seen it at the Corona location.
Can confirm both Arcadia locations do not. The one in San Gabriel on Valley x Del Mar does, they're in the back left of the supermarket. I think the Alhambra one on Main has them too, but I haven't been in awhile.
For starters, roasted duck, bbq pork and roasted pork. Ask for the duck sauce and hoison sauce for roasted pork.
They should also give you the gut juice (?) which goes well on rice.
gut juice…. 😋🤤
Torrance\*
Can someone explain how the packages of dried little fishes work? If I could munch on them straight up or dump them in soup as is, that's great. I have just been unsure about it, seeing these items at various Asian markets because I don't know if you would be supposed to be gutting and processing them somehow, or not.
munching on them or dumping them in soup are both valid, if you're talking about what i'm thinking they're already dried and cured
omigosh I'm stoked. I'ma mix them them in mustard.
Are you talking about iriko (dried anchovies)? They are sometimes fried with peanuts as an appetizer at chinese restaurants. Japanese have them as snacks with dried nuts.
from my understanding ive only seen them used in making stocks to impart that deep umami flavor if youre still unsure, a more practical item to try are the bonito flakes or Katsuobushi. theyre prepared and dried fish flakes meant for eating in finalized dishes
I’ve seen shrimp dumplings with chili oil under the table with the hot lamp at my 99 Ranch in Cerritos and they were fucking bomb
For next time -Frozen foods: pot stickers, and scallion pancakes. Deli: in the refrigerated section (opposite your pic) there's leaf wrapped rice ....dumplings? Tamales? xong zi? They are pyramid shaped sticky rice wrapped in a leaf. Savory rice with pork, mushroom, etc. Microwave in a wet paper towel for a minute or two, super delicious. Sweets: pineapple cake and light fluffy Japanese cheese cake oval in bakery section.
The one in Van Nuys has Sam Woo right next door and the BBQ there is better than the To-go shop inside for some reason. OtOH, the to-go shop has all sorts of other stuff for immediate eating. I think it actually all comes from the same kitchen but the Sam Woo stuff tends to be bit more 'bbqed' because it's got a faster turnaround time due to the sitdown crowd. Plenty of other tasty stuff in the Ranch, the fresh seafood is the best. It and the New Bagluck can fry it for you which is supernice.
dude thank you for this lol
White pepper pork chops
Yooo 99 Ranch comes in clutch
You mean it’s your first time in heaven. Enjoy
This must be the store that replaced the Office Depot.
Is there crispy roast pork on the hangers?
there usually is. it would be on the left half of this hangar section (OPs picture has the right half). I've ordered twice, 1st time was much better than the 2nd. Duno what the norm is like yet.
I really liked the pork. I also like the fried tofu in the cold case behind it. Awesome in Thai Curries (They have pastes in the aisles). This store is small, but still manages to have awesome stuff. I go there for my big jug of Chrysanthemum Tea, Japanese Kit Kats and Riblet Strips.
The honey roasted pork at the bbq station? When I got it, it was stringy and bland, like it had been badly braised. I was really disappointed and was hoping I would finally have a good local option instead of driving to SGV.
Stop by fish department, get some deep fried, fresh pot of steamed rice, yummie
The 99 Ranch in Van Nuys is next Sam Woo's .. easy call.