I'm so happy to have such an affordable market with so many options! I read the minor complaints that others have posted on here and I just don't think that many of them are used to how Asian markets typically operate. The owners/workers are very sweet and even if the store isn't set up like Whole Foods, they have incredible options! read more

Pretty fresh and cheap asian vegetables. Shelf items are often expired and when you tell the staff they don't care. The place isn't very clean and the aisles are jammed and extremely narrow. Thursdays they get "fresh" baked goods from Chicago's Chinatown. They charge extra to pay with a credit card. I try and avoid going here. read more

This is a little market so you only have to navigate through 3 aisles and a tiny freezer back way but small isn't necessarily negative. This place may not be spacious but it had everything I needed upon my first visit. I did not have a chance to look around much through the freezer section but as far as I know, the only thing they don't sell here are misc. items and kitchen appliances like international fresh market which is 10x the size but that doesn't bother me at all and it shouldn't bother you either ;) read more

Great place to get a variety of fresh authentic Asian groceries. The meats and vegetables are pretty fresh but I would be cautious with their packaged sauces. Taking a close a look at the ingredients before buying would help. I would avoid excessive amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG), and any suspicious artificial sweeteners or colors. Far East also has a variety of other items that I couldn't identify, but I will have to say that they can clean up the place a bit, and the outside could also use a paint job, but I wouldn't really worry about this affecting the food which is always stored and packaged well. They have a large walk in fridge and freezer at the back that they use to restock the display shelves. Another minor complaint is that they only accept cash, but that isn't that big of a deal since you wouldn't buy too much at a time there. The cashiers are also really generous, they often round down the price so you don't have to go scrambling for loose change. The staff also let me exchange my rice when I picked up the wrong kind even without the receipt. read more

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I'm from the Mid-Atlantic area (greater Philadelphia) and this Asian grocery store was adequate but not amazing. The cash-only policy is annoying, and the shelf organization is possibly the worst (as well as the narrowest) I've ever seen, including Philly and NYC Chinatowns. For example, why are frozen dumplings and frozen baozi in freezer cases on the opposite sides of the store? I also wasn't a huge fan of their frozen/prepared foods selection, which tends toward the sweet rather than the savory. It shouldn't be this hard to find basic pork-and-vegetable steamed buns that can be reheated in the microwave. I also picked up a bottle of soy sauce at random and was later told by my mother that it was poor quality. But, for all these flaws, the store does serve my needs for Asian-specific cooking ingredients and has a convenient location on my way home from work. The young woman who usually works at the cash register speaks perfect English and knows where everything is (nonsensically) located, which is a plus. read more

I was grinning so hard when I finally made it here. Not just because it was a reprieve from the cold, but because it was only a mild shade of the picture the Yelp reviews painted (i.e. crackhouse, employees who can't speak English, dirty, so smelly it could knock you out, etc.) I was smiling because after debating whether or not I should go here (I wanted to make Tom Kha Gai), I saw for myself that it was A TOTALLY TYPICAL ASIAN GROCERY. I'm not talking H-Mart or E-Mart or Assi-- I'm talking like Chicago Food Corp. on Kimball or Brwyn Mawr Fresh Market (Yeah, I know some of you are laughing and nodding.) It was so funny thinking back on these reviews as I was checking out. Like, I was expecting something revolting. Too. Funny. So yeah, it's totally fine. Don't let these crackers confuse you. It has a nice Asian stank in there. I'm still loling at that girl freaking her shit about seafood in boxes on the floor. Oh my god. Nevertheless, there are downsides to this place: cash and check only (you can pay a fee if you want to use a card), cramped as all hell, and dusty. I found my nuoc mam, chili oil, and fresh lemongrass. They have all the weird shit you need to make your stinky ass Asian dishes. They have a ton of cool sweets too. read more

I admit that the grungy appearance of Far East might deter most shoppers, especially as its window-less, brick exterior bears little resemblance to the welcoming storefront of most American grocery stores. Some other customers have accused the store of being "dirty." However, Far East is not much different from the local markets in the Chinatown areas of Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, or other metropolitan areas. Other stores in town (e.g., Amko, Lee's Market, Green Onion, etc.) specialize primarily in Korean and Japanese groceries, but Far East offers cooking ingredients for other areas of Asia. The shop boasts an impressive selection of different noodles (not just ramen), fresh produce, beverages, and necessary sauces for cooking many Malaysian, Indonesian, Thai, and Chinese dishes. Where else in town can you find fresh lemon-grass, Kaffir lime leaves, Thai eggplants (golf-ball-size and green), and Chinese leeks? Some of the staff might seem hostile, but I would suggest approaching the teenagers who work there if you have trouble, as they are very friendly. After describing dishes I want to cook, I've often received helpful and honest recommendations from the owners about the right ingredients to purchase. The best time to pick up groceries at Far East are Thursday evenings or Fridays because these are days when they receive fresh shipments of produce, bakery goods, and snacks. Sometimes they even have a box of live crabs available for adventurous eaters! read more

Far East is very close to my sister's apartment. When I helped my parents move her in I said to them, "what's with that creepy crack house back there? Are you sure this is a safe street?" My sister nodded in agreement and gave a funny look. My mom said "it's an Asian market, they probably have THE BEST produce around." Well, mom knows her stuff. Yes, it's creepy from the outside. Yes, it's a little weird smelling when you first walk in. But the produce and authentic Asian things are SPOT ON. I bought produce and drove it home to Chicago. That's how good it was. They also have all of the condiments your at-home-Asian-cooking-heart desires. Curry pastes, chili sauces and oils, sriracha, marinades... you can cook Asian food every day for the rest of your life. Let's not even start on the candy. Yan Yan. Pocky. KOALA YUMMIES. I die. CASH ONLY so be prepared for that. I wish I lived in between Far East and World Harvest! read more

This has got to be my favorite grocery store for Asian goods. They have pretty much everything, and I'm always tempted to try new things. I really like cooking so I'm always trying to find new things to mess around with in the kitchen. Stepping into the store, you may feel overwhelmed with the variety and amount of goods in the store. You also get a waft of that Chinese grocery store smell. The selection of vegetables is very good compared to the other grocery stores around town. They regularly have veggies that many of the other grocery stores don't carry in addition to what the other stores have too. They have a wide selection of soy products, pickled goods, spices, noodles, rice, frozen goods, and all kind of sauces from all over Asia. While I never buy meat here, they seem to have a lot like duck, chicken, pork, beef. The selection of fish is pretty good. There are many kinds of whole fish and filets. What's really nice is that the owners of the store know their fish very well. I can pull out a random fish from the freezer to ask them and they'll give me the name of it and how to cook it to perfection. I feel like every time I got, which is mostly weekly, there is something new that shows up among the regular items. It could be interesting fruit, seafood, packaged goodies, etc. But the best thing of all are the owners. They are extremely nice and helpful. They always ask about how I am doing and let me know any new interesting things going on with them or in the store. they also give good recipes and recommendations. It's really cozy and I feel so invited every time. I am sad that I'll be done with college soon and will be moving. I wish I could take the store with me. read more

I describe this place to my friends as a concrete box with a door. As far as decor goes, you shouldn't expect anything above that. Walking through the door is disorienting as you're automatically blasted with the smell of dust and slightly stale packaged goods that seems ubiquitous in Asian grocery stores. "Where... where am I?", you think as your eyes roam over the ceiling high shelves stuffed with godknowswhat, looking for some sort of organization or way to navigate the narrow aisles. You're in Asia, my friend. Appalling appearances aside (awesome alliteration, amen? ^__^), Far East is pretty well stocked with Asian necessities, considering it's located in the middle of Illinois. I even managed to find my favorite jasmine honey green tea there, which was a pleasant surprise. Prices are reasonable but its a pain that they only accept cash or check. (Typical Asian establishment rule, I know, but I'm still complaining.) read more

Far east has a lot of Chinese/Asian grocery items. I think they mostly emphasize Chinese ethnic food. Although the store is not as clean and spacious as county market, the prices are lower. The aisles are really narrow! if you're claustrophobic, you've been warned! Despite some drawbacks, I will continue to come here for my grocery needs. read more

Far East is a typical Asian grocery store. I usually come here because I can't find Nongshim black ramen, frozen sliced meats, or Asian desserts like Pocky at mainstream grocery stores. It seems like other Yelpers don't like the cramped layout of the store or the placement of items, but I personally have never had a bad experience shopping at Far East. They've been a big help in supplying ingredients for my cooking experiments. One last note is that they charge $1 extra on credit card purchases of less than $20. So try to bring some cash if you don't plan on spending that much. read more

UPDATE: The reviews on here are for the FAR EAST grocery store. The address above needs to be corrected to 105 S. 5th Street (because the Far East Grocery has moved here). This mystery took me about three days to solve, because the address above is now a restaurant, so I thought there was a back area grocery area. FAR EAST Grocery has a huge variety for such a little place. They sell amazing dumplings there, and they are friendly to "white people" (K.H.) as long as you are respectful to them not obnoxious. read more

Absolutely my favorite Asian market in C-U. Good for staples like big ol' bags of rice and frozen dumplings as well as for stranger stuff like yellow bean paste and tamarind juice. The family who runs the store is always helpful when I need assistance navigating their packed aisles. The owner is vegan and she's been stocking more and more faux meat products which is AWESOME! Their fresh food section has been getting better and better with each visit, too. Cash ONLY, don't forget! And they look a little uninviting with the concrete exterior and tiny house-door but inside it's a wonder land. read more

The first thing one notices about this grocery store is that it looks more like a crack-house from the outside than anything. Actually, I'd passed it many times before without knowing it was actually a grocery store! Inside, it's not much better in that it's pretty dark, musty, and just makes me feel dirty. Their aisles are narrow and things are somewhat organized and categorized, and despite the fact they probably have the most variety of all the Asian grocery stores, you'll probably spend a lot more time looking for what you want than anything else. Price-wise, they're okay, but I don't know if they take credit cards or not... I get the feeling that they may not. To summarize: Pros: Lots of variety, relatively inexpensive Cons: Dirty, can be difficult to locate what you're looking for This is the Asians' Asian grocery store. read more

Yeah... this place isn't a restaurant... and until they change the info, people should know that this place is a grocery store. This is one of the best places for Chinese groceries in the area, if not the best. Though quite small, they house quite a bit of fresh produce, canned and dried goods, and frozen food. Get your hot pot supplies here!!! In my mind, this place was far superior to bigger stores like Am Ko, but then again, you can't find any Korean supplies here. I believe that they typically get their shipments in on Fridays. Sometimes they even have random seafood products like Littleneck Clams or Blue Crab. I made it a point not to have Friday classes so that I could stalk out this place in the morning to get fresh stuff to make for the weekend. This place rocked. read more

Definitely not a restaurant, this little grocery store hides in an inconspicuous white building. I never would have known about it except through word of mouth. While Am-Ko is better known and more polished, Far East is the place where you go when you want an adventure. Bizarre fruits, strange flavors, and interesting ingredients are abundant. I tend to shop blindly and end up with some winners like haw candy, which is made from a fruit that tastes like an apple crossed with cherries, and some losers, like the melon gourd drink that tasted like the sap from a swamp tree. This place is also known by daring college students for its frozen Durian, which is a fruit famous for its stink. Caveat: It's not an upscale specialty shop, some of it is somewhat dirty and the fruit is not always the freshest. read more

I don't think they like white people. I went there once, and the women who were working there stopped what they were doing and just stared at me as I browsed, glaring, and pointing at me and saying things to each other in another language. There was another woman shopping there who was Asian and they didn't do the same thing to her. It was kind of offensive, but whatever. They have good, cheap produce and lots of imported canned and boxed food. read more

Rate it 5 because its like the only asian grocery store in town. Went there at least 3 times every month because I simply need their things to cook. Some things feel expensive because Im used to compare the prices to those when I was back in China. To me the door is super hard to push, and extremely narrow, and the equipment looks pretty outdated. Doesn't accept cards. Can be inconvenient. read more

Just left the store, great employees. Produce was awesome! Got a durian today. Going back tomorrow with my husband. Lots of stuff to choose from here. read more

Far East - Turtle buns - International Grocery Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

I love this store. The staff is always friendly and helpful and the prices are great. They have a lot of hard to find foods tucked away, and an impressive selection of produce/frozen goods for the space. (Think watercress, gai lan, enoki, king oyster mushrooms, fresh noodles, and every kind of tofu imaginable). Yes, the place is packed to the gills and the aisles are narrow, but that just adds to the character. read more

This grocery has quite a variety of Asian condiments, vegetables, meats, seafood, noodles, desserts, canned food, sauces, dried food, and all types of sundry. It actually has the biggest selection of asian food and variety compared to the other Asian supermarkets in Urbana and Champaign area. You can find anything from Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, to Indian, Indonesian, and Korean products. I like the assortment of vegetables and fresh noodles that this place has to offer. The products in this place are reasonably priced. You should check out their Facebook - they update their special products like perssimons, moon cakes, and blue crabs on their Facebook. I've been shopping in this store for more than ten years and have continued to remain a faithful customer because I do not believe that there is another asian supermarket that rivals this store. This is really not the typical supermarket, its a hole in the wall and its a ma and pop shop that has grown a little bigger over the years, its locally owned and its a family business. read more

Far East is my go to for cheaper asian products in the CU area. Their selection caters to a more chinese/southeast asian market from what I've seen. I usually come here for cheap veggies and plain noodles. Do be aware that the space is tight and you may have to maneuver around other shoppers. The workers are nice and usually let me off with not paying the full amount of change. read more

Asian grocery store in a super cramped building. They've got a good selection of canned, frozen, dried, and fresh Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese foodstuffs. I was really surprised that they have fresh lemongrass, Thai ginger, Thai peppers, mushrooms (other than the plain American button ones), and greens. read more

After venturing to every Asian market I could find in the Champaign area, I stumbled on to this one. It was amazing, it had everything I needed and then some. In fact it was the only place I've been able to find Thai basil around here. read more

various kinds of food can satisfy my needs but the quality. You will often buy expired food and food without expiration date. Cannot imagine the poor quality of some food. They just put expired food at the most obvious place on the shelf. read more

Yes, this place may have a wide variety of groceries to chose from, but the quality can be horrible. Be careful to find the expiration dates, because you can often see cans expired for years and still on shelf. Also, be aware that some of the bakery stuff be moldy before you even open it. I still shop there when I must, but usually AmKo or Green Onions are much better. read more

Fresh deliveries Thursday evening and Friday, least I heard. That's when you'll find the fresh veggies and cooked ingredients like roast pork. Check expiration dates, if that sort of thing bothers you, and ask if you don't see it, as they might have it in the delivery truck. In my experience, the store, already pretty cramped (and extremely well-stocked), can get even more crowded after work (between 5 and 7). Some items, like roast pork, might sell out quickly (by Sunday) and be unavailable until next week. Cash-only? Sounds right, but I'm not positive. Has a small parking lot (squeezes in about eight cars) with a very steep driveway. Could see bumping this one up to a 5 (CU handicapped) on sheer selection, but the hassle factor is a bit too noticeable sometimes. Especially compared to other Asian markets in town. read more

Really don't recommend to shop in this store. Lots of foods are expired and still on the shelf for sale.

The store's in a convient location. Kind of cramped. Could definitely accidentally knock something off a shelf. Definitely look at the experation dates on the products. I forgot and ended up buying noodles that were half a year over the experation date. Would have given it 3 stars but the workers are nice. read more

Recently I visited a handful of international food stores in Champaign, IL. Far East Market was the most impressive among them. Their Produce selection was incredible. A short list includes mangos, banannas, Korean pears, luffa, eggplant, casava, clabaza squash, lotus root, galanga, plantain, daikon, dirion, and many more. There was a variety of mushrooms. They offer very fresh seafood. Other items that were offered bananna blossom in brine, canned jack fruit, pickled caggage, bamboo shoots, quail eggs, fried gluten, dried lotus seeds and a variety of exotic teas. If you are looking for a more authentic selection of fresh foods, this is likely your best bet. The grocery store is rustic and it almost feels as though you step into an inner city market in another country when you visit Far East Market. They take both checks and cash but do NOT accept credit. read more

yeah this one is a grocery store. You can get a lot of canned foods from many country, especially from Asia. They also give a discount even though the price at this store is cheaper than the other place. The expiry date for the discounted foods is still long. So, you don't need to worry about the quality of the foods you bought. read more