I know this place as the only Asian market within 3 miles of my house in Dalston, or Fu Xing (which is the what the perpendicular sign reads) if I really squeeze my brain to remember the name. I need my Korean/Japanese/Thai staples from somewhere, so Fu Xing is my place for the cheapest firm tofu I've found in London (£1.50 for a big block), sesame oil, bean sprouts, nori, galangal, dried shiitake mushrooms (look no place else, so cheap here), pho and bun noodles, pak choi, etc. They have a small but solid Korean section with gochujang, dwenjang, Korean rice vinegar, even bulgogi marinade! They also carry two types of kimchi (jarred and in plastic, refrigerated pouches) and occasionally have kkakdugi.
However, I still buy my kimchi every few weeks from Centre Point market next to Tottenham Court Road station. Although it's overpriced, £9 per kilo, the homemade, authentic taste makes me shell out the dough.
Fu Xing is a great little family run store. The young, 30-something-ish guy who usually mans the cashier is friendly and is happy to help you find items for your tom kha soup or whatever dish you are cooking. He even covered me when I was 20 p short one time and let me pay him back next time. I'm always happy to help them out.
Cash only and you should BYOBag cause, really, who needs another plastic bag! Although they do supply sturdy blue ones for freezies. read more