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    Ming Lee Trading

    4.3 (61 reviews)
    Closed 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Al L.

    I must have walked by many times and never knew about this grocery store. Maybe because it's signage is all in Chinese characters, except for its name, Ming Trading Inc. Now I know why I should have gone to Chinese school. But I finally discovered this place when a friend took me here. From the street, you walk down the stairs to the basement level and there's this large store. Ming Trading is a dry-goods store, so they don't carry any perishables. But if you're looking for kitchen staples such as condiments, flours, starch, sauces and oils, they have them here. You can also get canned goods, instant noodles, teas and beverages and your snacks such as cookies, candies, mochi, and jerky. The prices here are also less too. Compared to prices I paid for items I usually get from my go-to's on Stockton St., they got them beat. Looks like I have my new go-to grocery store in Chinatown and it is Ming Trading.

    No sushi in sushi liangfen~
    Edward L.

    These old school Chinese shops really bring a tear to my eye. The place smells like funky dried random animals and herbs, the interior is completely cramped and probably fails most modern safety regulations, and the staff will hassle you over 5 cents, but the selection (for those who know what to look for) can't be beat. All those (likely banned) goods you grew up eating as an Asian can be found here. So beautiful.

    the front of the building
    CeCe C.

    Lots of cheap and yummy snacks here! The first floor has wall to wall shelves full of candy and pocky and hi-chews!! You just get dizzy and overwhelmed at looking at all the goodies!!! The other side of the wall is all their teas!! Go downstairs and you'll find MORE snacks!! From pumpkin and melon seeds to wafers and cookies!! There's a new extension to that room. Up a few steps there's dried noodles, cooking sauces, canned goods galore!!! Everything is pretty reasonably priced here! It's right next to Garden Bakery and across the street from the All You Can Eat Dim Sum place!! The store looks small from the outside, but once you set foot inside you are in a crazy snack world!! I got... - canned eel ($.95) - dried veggie noodles ($.45) - gummy candies shaped as sunny side up eggs ($.85)

    Dried Snacks
    Tanya A.

    Ming Lee has pretty much everything you could want and didn't know you wanted. The small entrance hides a huge store packed with snacks, teas, and all the Asian goods you can think of. I like the packaged dried fruits on the ground floor near the entrance. I got the dried lemon and lemon kumquat as sweet snacks when I was sick and craved lemon. Also on the same floor is a huge variety of tea, including tea cookies! Tie guan yin ("Iron Goddess") tea is my favorite. I even saw tourists trying to buy it who needed my boyfriend's help in communicating so. Definitely get it! Don't miss out on the underground as well with even more snacks. I saw the lychee jelly cups I used to love snacking on as a kid, as well a ton of other childhood snacks. I usually go here to get my black sesame paste, a sweet and healthy dessert I'd highly recommend. Everything is super cheap. That's why we all shop at Chinatown anyways, right? Definitely come here if you're looking for snacks and more!

    The entrance

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    8 years ago

    Half the items on the shelves were expired. The layout was somewhat illogical which made it hard to navigate. Cash only.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Ming Lee Trading

    Review Highlights - Ming Lee Trading

    Truly "underground" place for all your Asian snack and packaged dried good needs (note: no fresh produce).

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    The Italian Homemade Company

    The Italian Homemade Company

    4.3(2.2k reviews)
    0.5 miRussian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
    $$

    5 star experience without any doubt…read more It started with Eros Ramazzotti music as I walked in. I thought - the music is definitely authentic Italian. I saw a "pasta lab" sign and thought - that may or may not be authentic, never heard of that before. When my fettuccini pasta arrived I thought - it definitely looks authentic - heathy yellow pasta color. The first bite was an official confirmation that their pasta is freshly made, the sauce was amazing and the Parmesan was top-notch. This restaurant does not try to cut corners on lower quality inexpensive ingredients. This was one of the best fettuccini plates I had in SF. The only regret? I ate too quickly because I was on a rush. I wish I had more time to savor the flavors. Highly recommended and I will be running (not walking) back.

    $25 lasagna. Having never been there before, I went with the signature house dish. Thinking I was…read moregoing all-in is also part of why I'll probably shy away from returning. When the dish landed, I was initially impressed. But after the first bite, it felt a bit like the Wizard of Oz: impressive presentation hiding something less substantial underneath. Their lasagna is a sort of deconstructionist take on the classic dish. The noodles are cooked and layered almost naked between barely any pockets of filling. There were a few tidbits of meat, maybe sauce and no cheese within the layers themselves. The noodles are then baked, cut, plated, and topped with what I'd guess was about a 6 oz ladle of their bolognese, finished with finely pre-grated parmesan. The first bite was overwhelmingly pasta-forward. It took me a moment to understand how the dish had been assembled against my expectations. Once I cut into it and spread everything out, it became clear this wasn't the kind of lasagna I think of when ordering lasagna. It didn't check the familiar boxes - a rich ragù, maybe a creamy béchamel, or the sharp, salty depth of cheeses layered throughout. The dish lacked the complexity and savory comfort I was craving and expecting. Another miss was the homemade flatbread (which I went back and paid cash for, so it wasn't included in the total). Traditional Italian flatbread is a yeast-free bread made with flour, olive oil or lard, salt, and water or milk, then rolled thin and cooked until crisp yet chewy. This version tasted like flour, lard, and water. It wasn't crisp or chewy. As soon as I started chewing, it turned into an unappetizing doughy mass in my mouth. After the first quarter-piece, I didn't eat anymore. As for everything else, I arrived around 7:15 on a Saturday night, and the inside was packed with a small line to the door. The outdoor tables weren't full, but it was summer in San Francisco, more people were jockeying for seats inside than out. But I wasn't too concerned and I got there around 7, so all that is on me. There were a few specials written on a chalkboard, and the cashier was awesome while explaining those. They were incredibly patient. I apologized for holding up the line, and in a very Italian way, they assured me it was my right to make sure I ordered exactly what I wanted. That interaction honestly stood out as one of the better parts of the experience. I grabbed a table just as one opened up, helped myself to water a few times from the station, and my food arrived in about 20 minutes which wasn't bad considering how busy they were. There's been a bit of internal conflict with this review. I usually don't like judging a restaurant based on a single dish, especially a restaurant with so many positive reviews. But I also don't spend as much time in that part of the city anymore, and there are simply too many other places I still want to try. Unfortunately, while there was some good-looking food on other tables, if a restaurant's claim of lasagna as its signature dish doesn't hold up, the first visit just didn't do enough to pull me back for a second chance.

    Photos
    The Italian Homemade Company - Seating

    Seating

    The Italian Homemade Company - Pappardelle lamb ragu... with the opportunity to speak Italian - while though still fluent - I don't have many opportunities to do...

    Pappardelle lamb ragu... with the opportunity to speak Italian - while though still fluent - I don't have many opportunities to do...

    The Italian Homemade Company - Pappardelle with bolognese sauce

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    Pappardelle with bolognese sauce

    Asia Market

    Asia Market

    3.4(12 reviews)
    0.1 miChinatown

    I went on a Summer stroll to the heart of Chinatown in San Francisco before the possible price…read moreincrease on import goods from Asia starts this Friday .One place which you can shop is a hidden gem on Pacific street across the street of the Ping Yuen public housing projects called the New Asia Supermarket which was a former Dim Sum restaurant. It's now a San Francisco legacy business. Inside it feels like an imperial dining palace on top floor of the super market but the ground floor is stacked with drinks and food imported from different countries . You will find inside aisles of diversity of edible items from China, Japan, Vietnam,and other countries. This place gets raw like they have raw fish and chicken feet. They also offer raw meat for hot pot lovers like American Waygu and lamb shoulder from New Zealand. It's a pleasant surprise to see so much food available. You will also find duck eggs and different types of noodles. You have to plan a visit before August 1. Tariffs are on its way to the USA whether you like it or not starting this Friday . Deals are being cut with countries who are willing to negotiate. This Friday is a new month because it's the new TGIF= Tarrifs Gets Implemented Friday USA Tarrifs on August 1st are being "impose" on electronics, food and "clothes "some say we are in rough economic waters testing your own" ten toes"but you will be charged an arm and leg because some import prices this and last year has already "rose" with economic uncertainty that nobody can predict and nobody "knows" what direction it "goes" creating some anxiety and economic "woes" We will see prices rise on imports of electronics, food, and "clothes " if nobody is buying them the economy "slows"creating future economic" lows" so buy more made in America goods and services is what I "propose "so the economy " grows"

    Huge selection in a beautiful space with chandeliers on tall ceilings. We found dried plums that…read morewere sweet snd sour with large pits for only $3. There was no line for the cashier.

    Photos
    Asia Market - Chandeliers on the tall ceiling

    Chandeliers on the tall ceiling

    Asia Market
    Asia Market

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    Ebiko - Seared Salmon -- IG: @phuoodwithvicks

    Ebiko

    4.7(62 reviews)
    0.3 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill

    I'm a fan. For the…read morearea, this is a great take and go or take and eat spot for those in the area. Walking by on my way to a Lent Friday lunch, I noticed this addition to this block of Columbus Street where there is no shortage of lunch choices. I made a point to have lunch two weeks later. Being pretty warm, I planned to get my food and dine inside though many (including the irrepressible Cherlynn N. (https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=eKUGKQRE-Ywi5dY55_zChg)), give the great suggestion to bring your food to Washington Square Park. Seating is limited with four high top counter seats, a table for two and a small counter table for two with side by side chairs. After looking at the refrigerator (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=QjEQOJ3dK9_z8Mirhbd5jw), I selected three items and walked to the cashier counter. I remembered seeing miso soup on the menu and asked the helpful cashier; she kindly went there are brought a box back in ringing it up with my other food. She also asked whether I wanted to add hot water to it now and I said yes. After paying, I moved my food away from the pay area so other customers could pay for their food. I walked to one of the window high-chairs and placed my shopping bag on the chair while carrying a couple items to the counter. I went back to the cashier to get my utensils and condiments (pickled ginger, wasabi, soy sauce packets, chopsticks, and napkins) along with my last food container. Being the only hot item, I started on the miso soup (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=YGV-gn2pGqVCNS2VML8n4Q), tofu, wakame, green onions, dashi, miso first; there is no shortage of seaweed as they expanded when hydrated and there was plenty of tofu on the bottom. My big mistake was forgetting to mix the ingredients thoroughly as there were miso paste globs that didn't dissolve until I finished more than half of the soup. Do make sure to mix the ingredients thoroughly. For my main meal, I tried the Bara chirashi (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=KHGnwNzysmJ8w-Y7cyhb6w), bluefin tuna, salmon, snow crab, bura, shiso, tobiko, tamago, rice; besides being enticing visually, the flavors of the ingredients were enjoyable. The fish pieces were fresh and the ikura gave this a flavor burst while the tobiko and shredded crab gave it a crunch and lightness. Later that evening, I paired the spicy tuna roll (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=s8uYLUbml0yB9toMU_Txwg), spicy tuna, mayo, cucumber, sesame seeds, rice, seaweed, with a bowl of soup for my dinner. It was tasty and fresh, just like my lunch chirashi and I enjoyed having it while fresh. Thanks to the kind cashier for helping me get the miso container from the fridge and filling it was water. Also, when walking to the dining section, do be careful as I accidentally spilled some of the water from the miso as the ingredients expanded as I walked. I grabbed some napkins to wipe up the hardwood floor to prevent people from slipping. I will dine here again and likely take food to go from here too. This is an excellent addition to the neighborhood.

    Ebiko is really clean and upon entering, there is a huge fridge that holds all their sushi that you…read moregrab and then pay at the counter. The prices are quite inexpensive. Omakase Value(4.5/5) Inexpensive less than $20 Taste(3/5) a couple of pieces of fish didn't taste fresh and the nigiris are pretty bland. California roll Value(3/5) $9 for real crab california rolls is pretty standard but you do get a few more pieces than elsewhere Taste(3.5/5) personally I like my California rolls a bit creamier. The crab itself tastes very clean and fresh. Salmon aburi Value(5/5) $13 is well priced for amount of salmon you get Flavor (4.5/5) Personally my favorite item here. The smokiness from the sear with the fattiness of the salmon was delectable. This is a great spot for quick and easy sushi for a decent meal.

    Photos
    Ebiko
    Ebiko - Seared Salmon & Omakase Nigiri -- IG: @phuoodwithvicks

    Seared Salmon & Omakase Nigiri -- IG: @phuoodwithvicks

    Ebiko - Otoro, part of the 7 piece omakase nigiri for $16.99.

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    Otoro, part of the 7 piece omakase nigiri for $16.99.

    Woori Food Market - Excellent beef kimbap

    Woori Food Market

    4.4(207 reviews)
    1.6 miWestern Addition, Fillmore
    $

    I was so happy when they renovated the store under new ownership. It's on the smaller side, but…read morethey really make it work, everything is super clean, organized, and well-stocked. They carry a great variety of Korean dishes, snacks, and marinated meats, basically everything you need. The food from the kitchen is solid and nicely packaged, and the pan-fried kimbap is a must. They also have a wide selection of banchan, which I love. I'm genuinely impressed with how they've maximized the space while keeping it so clean and efficient. I would skip the frozen meats though as they are overpriced. With Safeway closed, this has been such a convenient nearby alternative. Parking can be a bit tricky, there is a back lot, but much of it is closed off since the Safeway shutdown.

    I was walking through the Fillmore debating what to get for dinner to take home. I had my head set…read moreon getting something from Nijiya Market, but then I walked by Woori Food Market and something told me to check it out. I went to the hot food section, conveniently located right at the entrance, and the Korean fried popcorn chicken caught my eye. Then next to it was japchae, one of my favorite noodle dishes. I found my dinner. The crunch on the chicken was addicting! Yet, the breading wasn't thick. The chicken itself was juicy and the glaze was savory and sweet. The japchae was full of veggies, and had a nice umami flavor. The store is small, but they have a lot of items that I can't find close by, like the plant-based beef rice balls. The closest Korean market to me closed, so I'm glad for this one as it's easily accessible by bus and not too far away from my place. I'll be coming back here again soon.

    Photos
    Woori Food Market - K1. Veggie Gimbap - 2 rolls Young Radish Kimchi Perilla Leaves

    K1. Veggie Gimbap - 2 rolls Young Radish Kimchi Perilla Leaves

    Woori Food Market
    Woori Food Market - Bulgogi Kimbap

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    Bulgogi Kimbap

    Golden Way Trading Company

    Golden Way Trading Company

    5.0(1 review)
    0.0 miChinatown

    Quick stop at San Francisco Chinatown, during this recent weekend trip and needed to buy the some…read moreAsian goods, the kine I don't see back home on Oahu. hehe. Luckily my other half happen to find a parking spot right in front of Golden Way. I had plans to go to the other store, I went last time but this works out perfect. The jumbo dried shrimp right in front of store caught my eyes. Stopped by real quick and got everything I needed, wish I could grab more but I had to limit myself since I didn't bring an extra luggagge. Golden Way, a great name, Lets go shop the Golden Way, reminds me of a store here at Chinatown, although very small cramped store it's very organized. Owner does a great job at storing everything and making use of all the spaces. Lots of Asian products here but no fresh produce or frozen products . Credit cards accepted as well, which is great! I ended up using my credit card for my entire purchase since usually cash is preferred in Chinatown. My co-worker wanted a specific soy sauce but no luck in finding it. What did I end up buying here at Golden Way, a LB of jumbo dried shrimp ( I think it was $24. or 25. lb) dried salted fish, dried scallops, long rice noods, pickled veggies, siracha, sauces, condensed milk, preserved eggs. Why on some of the products, Prices actually lower here. The only thing I wish Golden Way does is have prices on some of products, I had to ask how much?! The owner is nice & patient with me. I will be back again! I can't wait to use all those goodies, it made it safely back to Oahu.

    Photos
    Golden Way Trading Company
    Golden Way Trading Company
    Golden Way Trading Company - Only .20 price difference for the bigger sauce.

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    Only .20 price difference for the bigger sauce.

    Ming Lee Trading - intlgrocery - Updated May 2026

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