My Mom and I came here to peruse around with no intention to actually buy. They have a vast amount of different dry meat, seafood, and fruit snacks. They are stored in big plastic clear bins. They also sell teas and other miscellaneous items. Price is by the pound depending on item. Some of the items may be $30+ per pound. Keep that in mind. I love their dry squid and pork jerky which are my go-tos. When I used to eat beef, I would get their beef jerky... so good! Anyway, I ended up getting a quarter pound of pork jerky. The lady who helped us was very friendly. However, when she was grabbing the pork jerky, I noticed she grabbed from the lower right corner instead of in the middle of the bin. Afterwards, I wondered if the older batch was at the corner and newer batch was everywhere else LOL. Oh well, I'll have to tell them where to grab the goods from next time. As I was paying, they offered my Mom and I a small cup of tea that tasted like dates. It was delightful. Thank you for the tea. All in all, it was a very short visit. If you know what you want, just tell them what you want and how much (btw, it's not self-service, they will get and bag the items for you), pay, and go. Easy peasy! read more

Vua Kho Bo - Imported Food Near Me - San Gabriel, California

2.9 stars I've been going to Vua Kho Bo's many different locations on and off my entire life and, for me, it's the longest love/hate relationship I've ever had. They're known for their Asian jerkys, preserved fruits, and spices. They're also one of the few niche purveyors of these types of goods in SoCal, which means they pretty much dominate the field. What I love about them are the variety of jerkies they have - beef, pork, chicken, squid, shrimp, and fish. Their baby crabs and small fileted fish are fried to hard, crunchy perfection and coated in some addicting sweet sauce. And all the spiced jerkies are masterfully prepared with spices and fruit juices. They have wet and dry varieties with Chinese and Vietnamese influences. For the vegetarians, they've got seasoned dried mushrooms and tofu at select locations. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any meat or vegetarian jerkies that even come close to what they offer. With that said, I strongly dislike and question some of their business practices and have a few suggestions for others who wish to purchase from them. Rule #1 is to always ask to sample what you're interested in purchasing. When something is or isn't fresh, you'll likely be able to taste it. You can always ask the employees, which ones are the freshest and some will tell you if you're able to communicate in their language. I highly suggest bringing a water bottle with you because it helps to cleanse the pallette between each sample. Rule #2 is to always ask for 1/2 pound first. Wait for them to stuff the bag before deciding whether you want more or less. They will be really happy if you tell them to put more in, but will grumble if you ask them to take out some. This is the business practice I question - why can't they use the scale instead of eyeballing it? Rule #3 due to increasingly unpredictable weather, always try to store in your refrigerator regardless if whether you think it's hot or cold. It helps preserve the products for longer. Rule #4 for bulk orders, insist on asking which ones have just been restocked. If they're rude to you, take your business to another Vua Kho location. The reality is that you want the freshest product possible if you plan on storing it. And, especially if you're out-of-town and can't get refund/exchanges in-person. Rule #5 try to obtain an itemized receipt. It may or may not be available, but if the product goes bad before you even touched it, you can at least make a case for yourself by bringing the food back and speaking to the lady. Also, refunds might be difficult to get if you've eaten it. Rule #6 skip the candy b/c it is expensive. Get it from an Asian grocery store instead. This is all I can think about for now. But this company's food has always been very reliable for me in terms of taste and quality. Also, my Chinese family members always love receiving bags of jerkies as holiday gifts. Very expensive items, but much loved as well. On average, the meats sell for $35/lb wet or $40/lb dry. Highly recommended products: Crunchy Beef, Curry Beef Strips, and Spicy Beef Strips. Fruit juice Beef Strips are recommended for non-spicy people. Also, if you buy more than $100, they might shower you with free samples. MIGHT! read more

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Such rude worker with wrong attitude arguing when inquired whether its employer independently owned this store separate from the other stores, as their services were worse than the other stores' workers. This fool with its disgusting butt sitting at buyers' food shelf and furthermore with no concerns about the health of its clients, placing its feet by the snacks? How unsanitary and unsafe with no respect for cleanliness for the sake of customers buying to eat read more

Vua Kho Bo - a receipt for a restaurant - Imported Food Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Do not shop here. Very unethical business practice. High pressure sales with 3 people pushing sample in my face constantly. I had to say no 20 times. Then when I bought products, they basically doubled the amount I requested on very bag. Very very bad business practice. Avoid this place. read more

Vua Kho Bo is ________. A) Jerky B) Fruity C) Nutty D) Seedy E) All of the Above Answer: All of the above. The Vua Kho Bo chain specializes in selling snack classics by the pound from China, Taiwan, and Vietnam including jerky, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, tea, and candies. It's a menagerie of Asian flavors and smells in dozens of huge bins with free flowing samples by an uber-friendly and persistent snack army. My wife and I drive out of our way for this location to load up on a few .lbs until our next SGV excursion. She loves the flavored preserved Fruit (like Plums, Mango, or Olives) while I can't resist the Jerky (Beef, Pork, Squid, Fish, and more). To mix it up we'll sample the Nuts & Seeds, but rarely get those. Chupa Chups lollipops are always fun, too. Don't be shy about asking for free samples to try one or all the flavors. Also, be prepared to get some samples of teas and drinks. They won't let you resist. Just roll with it. This location of Vua Kho Bo is in the San Gabriel Superstore at the corner of Valley and San Gabriel so parking is free. Overall, the prices aren't cheap by any means, but finding the snacks we want with super service always brings us back. Guess that makes us fans of Vua Kho Bo. read more

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Was here with my BFF. She and her bf had picked up a bunch of dried mangoes for me and I really liked it. This time when we were there together, she got me to try some other stuff. Her bf loves to come here so the people know them really well, so being with her allowed me a good sampling of the stuff in the bins. In the beginning I wasn't really planning to buy anything because I still had a bunch from the last time she bought me some, but after trying these 'wet' mangoes with chili I was hooked. I got a bagful and then came home and proceeded to eat eat and eat some more. The stuff is really addictive!! Lucky for me, there is a Vua Kho Bo in Westminster so hopefully they'll have the same variety -- although I doubt it because I've seen the one in Westminster and it is like one third the size of this one. read more

Like taking baby from a candy.........wait...what? How'd you like to get swindled by a few 67 year old ladies? Did you ever watch David Copperfield when you were young? Those amazing shows he put on with multiple hot girls distracting you from the real illusion happening behind the scene? The trick is over simulation the moment you walk into the store and shower you with kindness and treats. Like an episode of How To Catch A Predator. Old ladies attacking from multiple directions to throw your game off. Free stuff everywhere. You don't have to tell me twice, I love free stuff. I'm trying to keep every penny in my pocket and these ladies are trying to take every penny of it. Quite the dilemma. I'm not going to lie, I spend about 500% more than what I plan to spend everytime because: 1) They sell you on their "amazing" product and tell you that if you buy 5 lbs you get 1/2 lb for free 2) They over pack your bags and force you to buy it once it's in the bag already Look at it this way, $25 per pound of jerky is like getting filet mignon at mastros...which would you rather spend your hard earned money on? read more

Great snacks, lots of variety, but VERY PUSHY STAFFS!!! If it wasn't for the staffs, I might have rated this place 5 stars. Beware of ending up buying more than you want. For some reason, they don't understand "no", or "that's too much", or "this is all I want", or "I don't want anything". As you stroll though trying to figure out what you want, you will find yourself cornered by at least 3 staffs at one time pushing you to get "EVERYTHING". ACK!!!!!! Help me!!!! Get me OUTTA HERE!!! ~~~mommy~~~!!! *sniff sniff*...X_X" I had only wanted to spend $10.00 on one of their pork jerky and ended up spending $16.00 because they scaled it so quickly and told me they went over "just a little bit". "Just a little bit" cost an extra $6.00. I see how it is now. read more

Vua Kho Bo - Imported Food Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Vua Kho Bo (VKB) has always been my favorite beef jerky store! Every time I go, I always spend more than $400! But what just happened greatly disappointed me. Around Christmas, my friend was coming to visit me from California, so I asked her to go to VKB and purchase several items for me. I bought a total of 5 lbs of spicy beef jerky, 3 lbs spiced beef jerky, 1 lb spicy squid, 1 lb original squid and 5 lbs of black plum (proximately around $600). Since I live in the East Coast and it has been freezing cold, I keep all the items I purchased from VKB in my pantry which is cool and dry. I've been eating the spicy beef jerky and black plum and had not issues with them. I opened one bag of the spiced beef jerky last week and ate 1/3 of the bag. Then when I opened the spiced beef jerky again this week, I found mold on the jerky. So I immediately checked my other two bags, which were never been opened. Turned out, all of them already became mildewed. The bag did state: "Refrigerate After OPENING for maximum freshness". So the first bag might due to not being refrigerated after I opened it, but how about the second and the third bag which were never opened? My friend drove to the store yesterday to show them the picture of the moldy beef jerky. This lady, who said she's the store manager, pretty much blamed us not putting all of the items in the refrigerator. I called and spoke to her directly. This is what she told me, "We did not put any preservative in our products, so it will go bad." I asked her "why didn't the spicy beef jerky go bad? So was the squid and black plum, they are all fine." She said, "Because they put NATURAL SUGAR and CHILLI during the production process, but not for spiced beef jerky." The lady was not apologetic at all and did not offer any compensation and asked "what do you want me to do?" Luckily I was okay and saw the mold before eating them again; otherwise, I don't even know how sick I would get and end up in the hospital! PLEASE BE AWARE! NEVER GO TO THIS LOCATION TO GET THEIR PRODUCTS! They are IRRESPONSIBLE for what they sold and do not care about their loyal customers at all. What a disappointment!!! read more

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I can tell you this place will soon be out of business. I was at this place around 11:25am this morning and thinking buying some tea for my mom. So stop by and there was a table with small little cups with three hot tea samples, I get the cup and want to try some to see which one is good. That's lady in the picture stop me immediately and said two cups for one dollar. I immediately put the cup back and look around to see any signs of sale but there are nothing. I asked her the other place like this in El Monte even ask me to try it for free but I refuse to try because I am not intended to purchase any. But today is different I wanna try so I can buy it. Sorry but I have to tell this lady I will not and never even want to come back here again. Your attitude is unexceptional. Please reconsider yourself what happened? And why's your business is not good right now. read more

Vua Kho Bo - Imported Food Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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I gave this place no star if I can, I walk in to try tea sample so I can buy the tea that I like and the worker at this place told me it is $1 for 2 cups of tea sample. I just walk away, no wonder they have no customer. Bad services. read more

Vua Kho Bo - Imported Food Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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I wish I had taken my camera along........ Bins & bins & bins of jerky! Pork, beef, squid, octopus, fish. Jerky heaven.....*happy sigh* Sweet, spicy, some soft textured-easy to chew, others the typical harder-dried jerky. Some moist fruit-flavored, some with a dry spice coating. Not to mention bins of pickled seeds & fruits. Bins of candy too! I actually went in to the Superstore for some dimsum at Yum Cha (my cousin has been raving about Yum Cha so I had to check it out at least once), but had to pass through the jerky section in order to get there. It's been a long time since I've been in the Superstore because...well...I don't like going in there. Really, I stopped in my tracks at the sight of all those bins! I have to bring something to my Thursday Night Giggles, Gossip & Crafts Group tonight & the jerky would be a perfect snack! I was familiar with most of the jerkys, but since the ladies were really eager to have me sample various jerkys, I wasn't about to turn them down! I sampled the Sweet Pork Soft Jerky, Squid Roll (ika), Spicy Fish, Baby Squid, Smoked Octopus. Hey now, I'm not a shameless sample hog! The lady kept putting the samples in my hands! I ended up buying 1/2 pounds of the Sweet Pork, Squid Roll & Smoked Octopus. The prices ran from $19-22 per pound for those three. Expensive, yes....but so worth it! The friends I'm meeting up with tonight are worth it too! Oh yeah, Yum Cha dimsum was....okay. Two, maybe three star worthy. I'm too lazy today to write a full review for so-so dimsum. read more

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These women know how to hustle you and milk the living juice out of you. But the product is good! read more

I thought they had a sample station, but when I was about to help myself to some tea, I was approached saying that I had to pay for it & that they had no samples to offer. Their staff was not welcoming nor inviting. They were just standing around. read more

My main objection here is the staff. As Annie C. said in her review, they always try to sell you more. For example, i asked for 1/2 a pound of candy and the lady gives me 3/4. It's only $1 more she says. My friend asks for 1 pound of beef jerky. They give him 1pound and 1/4. I assume the staff feels that most people don't want to be rude and make them take out food after walking them up to the counter. While this is true, this isn't a way to run your business. Cash only. read more

I don't think i'd want to come back here ever again JUST BECAUSE they like stuffing your bags!!! Some of the ladies that work there kinda scare me off because it felt like i was being hunted down to buy tons of things. YEP! probably the last i'd like to visit there. I'd give it 2 stars anyways just because i got samples but i ended up spending a lot here and the saddest thing is that most of the things i ended up throwing away because they gave me too much and didn't want to take it out because they "sealed" it already. read more

They're pushy, aggressive and witches. I say that because we stopped there first today. I've never liked them in the past, but today took the cake. My mother and I spoke to them in Cantonese to say that we were waiting for people. My relatives from out of town always come by to get jerky or dried foods. The woman working there thought we didn't understand Vietnamese and started talking about us to her co-worker. Also when we talked to her about mislabeled food, she treated us like we has no idea what we were taking about. My mother speaks 4.5 languages, reads 3 different languages. Her proficiency in words is competent to say the least. I have never liked dealing with them and now I don't have to. King Kho Bo has opened up across the parking lot. They have a wide variety at less the abrasiveness. If I could put up a redirection sign, I would. Check out my review of King Kho Bo. It's a total 180. read more

Dried everything here!! the dried pork is really good but they also have beef, fishes, sweets, fruits, veggies, etc....peanut candies, and etc. The staff was okay and pretty nice but the issue was they kept on trying to force us to buy 1.5lbs of the dried pork at $18 a lb instead of the 0.6 we wanted...argh. read more

Vua Kho Bo - Imported Food Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Don't shop here. Pushy, rude, intimidating and RACIST sales staff. I'm not asian so they must assume I'm just some idiot that doesn't know what I am looking at. Thanks for your racist bigotry. First of all, as soon as I walk into their area, some sales lady walks over and asks if I need help. I say no- I'm just browsing. Not less than a minute later of browsing- she comes back AGAIN. Once again, I repeat myself. I dont need to be waited on hand and foot or pestered to buy something. Seriously I have been to enough asian owned stores and been harassed to buy something I dont need or want, but nowhere near THIS bad. Next ANOTHER lady comes over- an older woman with glasses.... YES its that same one commented in several of the other less-than-stellar reviews posted here on yelp. She is around 65 or so. Just for clarification. I ask if I can try some of the dried cuttlefish, and I get this rude response (I will quote the exact verbiage used for clarification): Myself: "Can I try a sample of the cuttlefish?" Glasses: "Do you even know what you want!?" Myself: "I have the right to browse...." Glasses: "If you are a customer you can... or if you buy you can try..." WTF does that mean!? This is such a fantastic and stellar way to run a business. Push people into buying some crap and tell them to get lost as quickly as possible. read more

I saw this in my credit bill. What the hell is 'VUA KHO BO' ??? I thought credit card fraud has finally hit me since I think I would remember if I ever go to a place called 'VUA KHO BO'. hmm $17.00 charge. (Puts on my thinking cap) OOOOHHHH Beef Jerky !!! inside the San Gabriel Superstore. That was for 1lb. of 3 kinds of regular/spicy/curry beef jerky and they're very delish. Expensive? yes.. But it's a nice treat once in a while. They also have a large variety of other snacks similar to Aji ichi ban. Another great recommendation is for their 'special' crusted crunchy coated peanuts. It's soooo good and whole. They are not smashed and broken up like the other ones you normally get in a grocery store package. Yum! read more

This placehad very pricey but very good products. I ordered some salty plum and only wanted a 1/2 pounds but ended up with 1/4 more. This is their MO besides also being pushy. read more

Their snacks are good here but the service is SOOO bad. I HATE their business tactic. I visited this store in San Gabriel and Alhambra. Their sales tactic is extremely aggressive! After walking out of the store both times, I felt like a push over. They will fill the bag for you and put 2-3 times more than what you ask for. On 1/8/2011, I went there to buy tea. The sales lady asked me if I want to try some plum and I took a sample and then I went off to check out other snacks. As I' was filling my bag with 3-4 pieces candy that is individually wrapped (not like the snack was in the open and the staff was afraid I'll contaminate their food), the sales lady grabs my bag and filled it all the way up. I told her I only want 4 pieces. She kept insisting I should get more, a few of each. I had to tell her SIX times that I don't want that much. She would not let go of the bag. WTF??!!?? We were speaking Cantonese, it's not like she can't understand my English!! At this point, I'm pissed off and annoyed. As I go pay for the snack and tea, the sales lady grabbed a bag filled with at least 2 bags of the plum I tried earlier! I was shocked!!! I told her I did not say I was going to buy preserved sour plum and if I did, I only wanted 5-6 ounces, like the size they sale in the supermarkets. She goes back and pour some perserved plums out and the bag was still filled three fourth of the way. Again, I told her I don't want that much. She goes back and pour out a few and walks back with the bag filled two third of the way. This goes on for four times!! By the fourth time, I was so pissed off and getting ready to walk out. On the fourth time, the bag was still filled 9 ounces of the preserved plum. I still end up buying two times more than I want. Both the Alhambra and San Gabriel store use the same tactics. They will have one sales person fill your bag and then hand over the bag to another sales person who tries to seal the bag immediately so you can't change your mind. For a high end snanck store that sales beef jerky for $27/lb, this type of behavior is so bad. I like their snacks but the mental agony of going there is just not worth it. read more

While the jerky is amazing, make sure you know how to deal with the persistent sales people. They will purposely give you more than you ask for so make sure you check the weight before buying. I specifically told them to give me 1 lb only and repeated myself a couple times but ended up with 1/2 a lb more. They also like to follow you around and try to make you buy their other items. So if you decide to come, make sure you tell them to give you the exact weight you are asking for or else..... Lol. read more

Make sure you check the weight before you pay. I asked for 3 pounds of vegetarian jerky and she packed 4 pounds. I get that they estimate the weight when putting it in bags but to give me 1 pound over is ridiculous. Everything was lacked and sealed so I couldn't even return it or anything. RIP OFF. And rude because when I asked if it was 3 pounds, she's like oh just a little over 3 pounds. No lady, it was a little over 4 pounds. $17 a pound, 3 pounds = $51. My total was $70. If I wasn't helping my moms friend get something, I wouldn't come again. read more

I came in speaking Mandarin I agree to buy some tofu jerky Then I tried the pork and asked to only buy only $5 (5 dollars worth of it) they look puzzled. Then ringed up and the Pork was $12.00 I said I wanted $5 dollars worth. He said you want 5 pieces ? I said no $5.00 worth. He said I already rang it up and looked all sad and confused like it's all my fault boo hoo. Such Idiots. I should had brought a cardboard and wrote $5 on it. Get away from these people. Seriously. I wish they die a slow and painful death. read more

So friggin rude their business is bad planning wth pushing me too buy heck no and their selection is worst no Japanese candies might as well go to aji ichiban cuz they have better choices. next time u gotta play their mind games read more

Watch out for what the lady packs for you. You need to stand right next to them to ensure that you are getting exactly the weight of the item you requested or otherwise your bill is going to surprise you a big time. read more

OK. So when you figure out how to say no, and not to be bothered that after saying no five times, they will still try to get you to buy more.... Funny, was just at the West Covina store, and it read like a play card from the comments last year at other locations....a positive twist is that they have such great stuff that they just want you to share along. Definitely you will be glad for that extra scoop when you get home. Great stuff. Can't wait to go back for more. read more

Went there to buy beef jerky. Agree with other yelpers that they are SO pushy! Asked for 1/2 lb and the young lady started to fill my bag with what looked like 1/2 lb. Before you know it, this older woman with glasses said something to her and pushed her aside and she proceeded to stuff in over 1 lb of jerky. When i said no..the older lady pretty much ignored me and took my stuff to ring up. Next time i will ask for 1/4 lb!...but then again...highly doubt i will go back. Rude staff. $20 lb for beef jerky!! Also the quality of the jerky wasnt as good as i remember. Less tasty and more dry. Other brands which are prepackaged on the market shelves are of better quality and priced less. Will do that next time i crave for jerky. read more

They located at Thuan Phat superstore. I was browing their merchandises and asked a sale lady for sample,actually she approached me as soon I was in the area, She gave me sample except she never left me alone, she was literally one step behind me and kept asking " Do you like it ? Do you want to buy any ?...", I was trying to check out different items and probably asked for more sample but I didn't have any privacy shopping moment . Finally, I bought 2 items for 1/4 lb each, her weight total was closed to 3/4 lbs. I told her I don't want to pay more than 1/2 lb, She refused to reduce the quantity and literally begging me to pay more. Since I don't have much time to argue with her and also wanted those items so I gave up and paid. Her sale attitude was a step closed to harassement, If I had time I would tell her to F....off and leave me alone. read more

Lots of snack stuff that can't be find (or I don't even know they exists). A friend of mine asked me to buy the condensed tea. Their staff were very friendly. I don't feel that they were pushy. But they did let me try many things. That pork jerky was so delicious. My other favorite is the dry winter mushroom. They make driving long distance very pleasurable :P read more

This place always has the best jerky. Always fresh and never dry and oversalted like the stuff at 7-11. But beware, ask for half a pound of jerky, you might end up with half a kilo of jerky instead. Always ask for less than what you really want, since they will overestimate! Otherwise very nice staff and always eager to give free samples. read more

good beef jerky place. Be cautious they are pushy ladies and will add extras into your bag if you don't look. Just say NO you don't want anything else! read more

... this place is going to be one of the closest best thing u will ever get here in the states.... yes they are pushy they always are.. their way of trying to make more money. cant hate on ppl who are desperate for business... BUT what u can do to prevent them from giving u more then what u want is be like this... "LOOK.. i got 10 dollas!!!... gime 10 dallas worth of beef jerky" next thing u know they will scoop that shit to the very last penny... trust me.. they have skills... if they say 10.50 ok? be like oh for free? thanks =) .. hahaha they will make that extra trip to pull that .5 ounce out hahaha.. its worked for me.. try it ^^ i dont care how lame service it is but if its good .. just eat pay and go. good luck guys and enjoy read more

This is for Monterey park location. Worst customer service ever. Bought 5 bags of plums and jerky and left the city. Later on I noticed one of the bag the sales did not pack it in for me. Called back and ask for the bag that they cryopacked for us, the manager claimed they NEVER make mistake misplace customers product, she was rude and unreasonable, eventually she admit if there is a loss bag from the customer, they would open it and put the product Back to the Container. Kept saying it's our fault and we should drive back ( we live in Vegas) and get the products weighted because she does not believe us. read more

Last Thursday, I had visited the San Gabriel store with some of my friends. Worst place ever to go to because lack of Vietnamese speaking, aggressive, and freaking rude salesperson. My friend had asked to buy 1lb of beef jerky and they ended up giving almost 2 lbs. my friend the rude and aggressive salesperson that my friend wanted 1 lb and she kept on stuffing the bag. She also kept on telling my friend to buy other items and my friend said no. Of course my friend couldn't understand each other due to language barrier. Also, the rude sales person was stuffing bags with other items telling my friend that it's really good. My friend said no, but the sales person there doesn't understand the word "NO". My friend had to wait for 1 Vietnamese speaking sales person and explain the situation. She waited for 15 -20 minutes because it was busy. This place needs more Vietnamese speaking and nicer sales personnel who understands customer needs. read more