Let me start by saying, this store was a pleasant surprise. It's affordable, cozy, and who I assume to be the owner (Mai) is the sweetest old woman I've ever met. Yes, it's a little crowded, and you have to knock to gain entrance, but inside there is plenty to choose from whether you are familiar with Asian cuisine or just find it interesting and novel. More than once she has given me little discounts here and there. Once, when I didn't have any cash and wasn't buying enough to meet the credit card limit, she gave me my food and trusted me to come back another time with the money! And I barely knew her. It is because of this that I rate four stars.
Also, some things have changed since the last two reviews (credit cards accepted, fresh noodles, vegetables, and meat served, etc.)
Pros:
-Variety of fun snacks to try (yan yan, pocky, mochi balls, coconut crackers, sesame bars, several kinds of mung bean cake [only on Fridays] etc.), all at lower prices than you'd find in stores or on the UA campus
-HUGE variety of noodles (my personal favorite being mushroom and spice flavored instant noodles)
-All credit cards accepted
-Very kind staff
-Many sauces, teas, and coffees to choose from
-A good few Asian styled sodas, such as Ramone (the cod-neck bottles; can't remember if that's what their called), and juices, such as mangostein or guava
Cons:
-Not the best neighborhood in Akron (though I've never had any bad experiences myself)
-Parking is a little cumbersome
-Cramped shopping space
-Odd hours (4 - 10 Mon-Thursday, 4:30 - 10 Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday & Sunday)
-Occasionally drinks (that were apparently not too popular) sit in the fridge past their expiration date.
Things to remember:
-Every Friday at 5:30, they sell fresh, warm food, including noodles, sandwiches, meats, subs, and rice-papered egg rolls. A variety of mung bean cakes are also brought in.
-Knock to get in! read more