Like the wide selection of Eastern Europeans goods here. Prices are above average, but not…read moreunreasonably expensive. Store layout is clear so it's easy to find things. Not everything has English labels so it's tougher to do exploratory shopping if you aren't familiar with the products. Store clerks were nice, but highly preferential towards the regulars who spoke Russian. Warning: carefully inspect packaging for Expiry/Packaged On dates. I found out that, after the fact, quite a bit of the stuff I bought wasn't very fresh. Threw away two out of four cheeses because they were pretty far gone. They were so bad that I did not feel it was worth holding onto it to bring back to the store for a refund, just wanted to be rid of it. I take responsibility that I should've checked better, but it's poor business practice for the store to be carrying inventory that isn't safe for patrons. Hope to see this improved on.

Place sells expired products. They've been doing it for years, so stay away for your own good…read more To the owner: your discounts for expired food and excuses are complete bs. You had years to make it right.

Los Guerros Hispanic Food Products!!! Can't say enough about this shop! The one & not last time I…read morevisited they had all my favourite hot sauces, salsas, pickled veg, AND they helped out a homeless Hispanic man in the line in front of me. AND nothing in this shop is made in the USA. Let's support our Mexican brothers & sisters! The product line extends far beyond what I was there to buy. Many frozen things, sweets, and dried goods I wasn't there to buy that I'm sure are awesome! The place was busy for a random Tuesday, so you know it's good. The community knows, let's spread the word beyond to help this amazing shop bloom! Park on the street around the corner for free and avoid holding up traffic.

Came here a few times and the hot food section is always closed. Turned out it's only available on…read moreSaturday. Being a Latin food store, many things are in Spanish. Check the expiry dates of the shelf stable food stuff. Some are expired or very close to the expiry date. It's a popular place for people looking for South American food stuff. It's along kingsway with paid street parking. It's nearer to Joyce street too.

Nice place for some Japanese snacks and pantry goods. Depending on the items, can be quite cheap…read more Remember to check the expiry date though to see if you can consume the item before it expires though. Need to go up and down some stairs. Aisles are a bit narrow, but relatively well organized. Might be able to find some Japanese items you can't find in other stores. Friendly staff!

We only just recently discovered this hidden gem. Sakuraya is owned by the same people who run the…read moreKorean market on Broadway, called Kim's Mart. It is located right next door to Kim's Mart and is accessible via a flight of stairs leading upwards. They carry all sorts of Japanese goods. I picked up a few bottles of pink coloured Sakura cola there, and some prepackaged seasoned kelp which I like using at home to make onigiri. Usually I do it all from scratch using dried up sheets of Dashi Kombu. The prepackaged ones will save me a lot of work the next time I want to make them! We also found many items that were expired or close to their expiration date. There were huge discounts on these items. (eg. boxes of powdered drink mixes) We're fine buying these kinds of products as the "Best Before" dates don't necessarily mean "No Good after..." to us! I appreciate that this store openly admits that these products have expired or are near their expiration date. Gotta love the honesty! Quite heartbroken to learn that this place has been put on the market and may be gone soon. Boo hoo! We only just discovered this hidden gem. If this place does go, hope that we can squeeze in a few more visits before it's gone!

We love spicy and tangy food. So we're always in hunt for a spice fix from time to time. Found this…read morehidden gem - it's a snack bar at the back of a Latin American grocery store. It has some classic Mexican street foods. There was a lady at the snack bar who kindly and patiently explained all the different types of food to us and gave us wonderful suggestions. They have two tables, but they kindly brought our food to the table. I personally loved the chicharron! It was loaded with avocado, cheese, cream and spices. Realizing how much we love spicy food, they brought 3 different kinds of hot sauces and chilli oil. My absolute favorite was the habanero hot sauce (not for the faint hearted ) We loved the sweet mangonada drink to balance our spice fix. Tostitolocos was a bit expensive IMO. They don't have prices on the menu display so ask for each item's price before buying. The people were really nice and we were comfortable in the cozy corner of the grocery store. We bought a bunch of Chipotle and hot sauces too. The sauce prices were pretty reasonable. Would definitely come back!

Just strolling along the drive and stumbled onto this store. They colourful variety of Turkish…read moreDelights caught my eyes. Though a tad on the pricey side, I indulged on one piece of Turkish Delight with pistachios on the outside and pomegranate and caramel inside. It was so tasty that I have no regrets when I enjoyed it with my latte nearby. I also bought the Lebanese coffee and it offered the same Mediterranean taste of coffee...and potency. I ended up adding a box of Turkish Delight candies and a fresh block of Bulgarian Feta cheese. Very cool store and I will return for other items.

Came through at the last minute!…read more I was heading to a dinner party and when I heard the food was Greek themed, I offered to bring dessert with every intention of bringing baklava. The restaurant I decided to pick it up from was sold out so I had to make a last minute pivot to Mediterranean Specialty Foods in the hopes that they still had some before they closed (I had 12 minutes till close!) Not only did they have enough for me to bring, but they had at least 6 types to choose from (which only made it harder given my time crunch) I only wish I took some photos if I had the time. I'll be back to try the others offerings and to peruse the shelves!

This is an amazing Italian specialty grocery store and deli…read more So much selection from fresh pasta to fresh meats and cheeses and pasta sauces. I bought the meat balls and took them home and found out they are amazing!! So delicious and the best meatball I have ever had,wow! It is an amazing store and the atmosphere is so Inviting and I could spend hours browsing. There is a deli with sandwiches and you can enjoy it on the patio outside or upstairs there is a seating area. Lots of help if you need to find anything or choosing the seasoning or ingredients. Free parking out front.

Ambiance and Decor Bosa Foods is a vibrant and bustling…read moreItalian specialty store with an inviting deli counter and well-stocked aisles of high-quality products. The atmosphere reflects its reputation as a go-to spot for authentic Italian ingredients, and the staff maintain an efficient workflow despite the crowds, especially during busy times like holiday weekends. Service Quality The ordering process for the Meat and Cheese Antipasto Platter was smooth and professional, though slightly more involved than standard takeout. Calling the deli to place your order and then prepaying via a follow-up phone call ensures accuracy and convenience. On the pick up day, go to the side of the deli counter and get the attention of a deli employee. He/She will get your order in the back, letting you skip the main deli line. Staff were efficient and helpful throughout, making the experience seamless. Menu Variety The antipasto platter was thoughtfully curated, featuring a range of premium meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. The inclusion of mortadella, Genoa salami, and prosciutto alongside cheddar and provolone cheeses showcased a balance of classic Italian flavors. Additions like roasted red peppers, artichokes, and olives complemented the platter beautifully, creating a well-rounded offering for a group gathering. Food Presentation The platter was professionally assembled and ready to serve straight out of the box, which was a major convenience. The arrangement was appealing, with neatly layered meats, cheeses, and colorful accompaniments that added visual interest. It was an impressive centerpiece for any table. Food Taste and Quality Every component of the platter was fresh and flavorful, with the meats and cheeses maintaining their integrity and texture. The salty, savory notes of the prosciutto and Genoa salami paired perfectly with the creamy provolone and sharp cheddar. The roasted red peppers and artichokes added a burst of tangy richness, while the olives provided a briny kick that rounded out the platter. The quality of ingredients was evident in every bite. Portion Sizes The platter for 10 people was generous, providing plenty of food to go around and even leaving a bit for leftovers. It's an excellent choice for entertaining, offering both quantity and quality without requiring additional preparation. Price and Value At $59 plus tax, the platter is a great value for the convenience and quality it provides. While you could assemble these items yourself for a comparable cost, the time and effort saved make this platter well worth the price, especially for holiday gatherings or special occasions. Overall Experience and Recommendation Bosa Foods' Meat and Cheese Antipasto Platter is a standout option for entertaining. From the fresh, high-quality ingredients to the thoughtful presentation and efficient service, it's a reliable choice for anyone looking to impress guests without the hassle of assembly. Whether for Thanksgiving, a casual get-together, or any other event, this platter is a no-brainer.

Dumpy old school looking Asian grocery store on Kingsway, just E of Joyce…read more Parking is available on Kingsway, as well as the side streets. I have no idea how they make this place look so dated, considering the business is only a few years old. Looks like something straight out of Chinatown. Definitely has that charm. Most of the store carries dry goods, but there is also a specialty tea and sauce section. They also have the wall of dried herbal stuff, for anyone who wants to make traditional Chinese medicine (tea). Staff are very friendly and chatty. Pretty sure it's a family business, as the kids even have a designated play/homework area in the corner. Pricing is reasonable. I was able to find what I needed without too much difficulty. Good place to check out if one needs the really traditional Asian stuff.

This is a pretty big family ran Chinese herbal store/ quick convenient store. It not only sells…read moreChinese medicinal herbs but also candies, sauces and other food items. The store has good placed outside the store as well. Prices are not bad.

Small little store on Kingsway in the mall along side with Save On Foods and other stores. The…read morestore is a bit crammed but it has lots of authentic Mexican/ Latin American sauces, meat, snacks and much more. Service is good here. It is ran by a lovely Asian couple who lived / from Latin America. Yes they speak fluent Spanish. I highly recommend checking out the store. Things you might not be able to find elsewhere can be found here.

Was around the neighbourhood and my significant other needed some supplies, that to make some…read morehome-made broth for her pho. We already passed up a few other locations and I remembered this place, I haven't been here in years, so I didn't know what to expect. Most people who live in the Lower Mainland might not come to this place, as it literally is in the (as my friend use to say) "armpit" of Canada. From the amount of beggers, crack whores, drug dealers, drug takers, let's just say this is not the rainbow and unicorns neighbourhood of town. I found parking a block up, and once we exited the car, a person asked us if we had any change.... yes... this is a stones throw away from Hastings and Main! We entered, and the guy working here was unloading, and putting things away, as well as setting up the front display of food items, and my dear went off in her world to look for items. This place is spacious, no overloading of shelves, no narrow aisles, no short store, this place is pretty wide, and pretty long. We started on the left side, walking down their open refrigerated section, you see very clean, and packaged vegetables. Anything from Thai chili's, Thai basil, mini limes, coriander, green onions, bean sprouts, just to name a few, everything had their own packaging where you could see what your buying, and everything was, as I said, clean! Through the aisles we noticed stuff like shrimp paste, sections of Sriracha sauce, fish sauce, cane sugar, brown sugar, cans of bamboo, powdered soup broth for your favorite pho dishes, laksa sauces, a variety of different rice noodles, even labelled by the width of the noodle. This place is a specialty store, and one I wouldn't hesitate on sending anyone too, sure you have to actually get out of your car, or go down there with public transit, and open your eyes to a different part of society. Sometimes part of the journey of making your dish at home, is the journey less spoken, that of where the hell you got your ingredients. The words, "you can't believe where I went to get this stuff" may come out of your mouth the next time you actually decide to prepare a Thai, Viet, Cambodian, Malaysian, Indonesian, etc..., dish... but if your working through some cookbook that is telling you things you need for a particular dish that you have no clue where to get cause your normal supermarket wouldn't have a clue what it is.... you maybe surprised here by finding it. The one thing we were looking for.. which they didn't have was freshly package pho noodles..... as all of the noodles we saw were dry, can't win them all!

Being Thai- speaks for itself now. I should know where to shop right? Right?…read more This is the only bona fide place to get That ingredients if you want that authentic green curry with real Thai eggplant (so round and cute, definitely not long and skinny which will give you soggy eggplant) or the hard to find actual Kaffir limes (not just the leaves) for your tom yum soup. Pick up some "real" oyster sauce for your Pad Bai Graprow, and the grapow leaves too (Thai basil). There's so much more, from frozen desserts, great Jasmine rice, rice noodles, and on and on and on.. spices. BUT, caveat, its in a sketch neighbourhood on East Hastings, druggies, street merchants (which are not necessarily sketch), homeless folks (also not necessarily sketch). So you might feel a bit out of place if you plan on sliding up in your Range Rover or Mercedes. But that's just a feeling, nothing bad will happen. It's not the prettiest of places, it's a big warehouse kind of space, no cute labels and fun signs, just the facts and prices. Ladies who work there, super nice, super helpful. A lot of things are kept in the back so use your big girl voice and ask for things if you can't find it. Delivery day seems to be Friday, so the weekend is a good time to go in. Prices are so good, I don't know why anyone and I mean ANYONE would buy Thai ingredients in the Asian food aisle in the supermarket. Case and point, fish sauce should never, ever cost more than $2 for the largest size bottle. EVER. You're welcome. Happy Thai shopping, cooking and eating :)

The kindest man in Nanaimo runs this shop. What a gift to the community. The feta and baked goods…read moreare sublime and he's got farm eggs - leave some for me ;)

This place is a real find. Lots of products from the med. They have real Turkish Delight! That…read morealone is worth a visit. Very nice owner. If you cook you need to visit this store.