Kien Company

Eh.
As a kid, I was overwhelmed by this Asian grocery — the smells, the food, all of the things. But my recent visits have shown me how crazy Kien Grocery is.
I like the shoulder-​width aisles, it makes for an interesting shopping adventure. There is no lack of stuff to look at and browse through. But, most if not everything (other than the meat/​produce) is covered in a layer of dust. Not to mention, pricing on dried goods, spices and even kitchenware is higher than most places.
I always come in looking for fresh pork, but the selection never looks appealing. Same with the produce. I tried my hand at the hot-​foods area, banh mi, though very tasty, is expensive and a small portion.
With the lack of quality and reliable Asian grocers around in CT, I really wished Kien Company offered a better more organized selection.
Opt for parking in the rear lot, street parking can be very chaotic!

A great place to grab a banh mi! I live in New London and sadly there isn’t any of these little shops nearby. I love buying pâté and making my very own banh mi samdwiches. Try the BBQ pork! Definitely one of my favorites.

A great Asian grocery, mainly focused on Vietnamese food but with other cuisines represented as well. They had the Tom Yum soup bowls that I was looking for!
There is a deli in the back with banh mi and some other options, although I did not try them this time around. The store itself is clean and inviting, with tons of authentic items to choose from.

I don’t know how good the Banh Mi is here compared to being in Viet Nam, but for the back of a small grocery store in Hartford it’s pretty damn good. It’s like going over to your Vietnamese aunt’s house for lunch…

Kien has the best banh mi in the Hartford Area. It may be hard to miss among the scattered stores on Park Street. But if you’re adventurous it will be well worth it. There is parking in the back if you cant find street parking. You can also pick up Asian groceries while you are waiting for you banh mi.

Kien makes my favorite banh mi. I know this is a bold statement considering there are multiple places to get quality banh mi on Park Street alone, but after retrying and assessing the other options, Kien remains my favorite, and I think it always will be.
I’ve been coming to Kien since I was a kid with my family, back before the big Asian supermarket opened and became everyone’s main stop for Asian groceries. It’s a cute little store with all the staples, but the back counter where you can order banh mi, phở, and other Vietnamese foods is the real star of the show. The banh mi here is simple, and that’s what makes it so good. It’s just your choice of meat topped with crisp pickled veggies and fresh cilantro on a wonderfully toasted roll. I usually get the spicy grilled beef banh mi, which is perfectly spicy, but made even better with a squeeze of sriracha. These sandwiches aren’t loaded with fillings, and they’re not extremely large, but the basic combination of ingredients is all I ever want when it comes to banh mi. If I’m really hungry, I can always order two. Prices are very reasonable for all the foods in back, and you can either order to go or grab a seat at the small counter that could probably seat four to five people. I haven’t tried the phở, but my parents have and said it’s good, and that’s enough for me to know that it would be good, too.
The store itself leaves a little to be desired. You can find everything you need in terms of Asian groceries, but they don’t have a lot of brands, and some things look like they’ve been sitting around for a while gathering dust. There’s a small parking lot in back, which is nice. Whenever I’m in the Hartford area and looking for a quick lunch, Kien for banh mi is one of my first choices.

Parking on the road is kinda hit or miss, but there’s a (large for Hartford that’s free) lot in the back of the businesses where you’re able to park.
The store itself is like every other Asian market. It carries a variety of miscellaneous staples in an Asian household. It’s not inexpensive (I come from a predominantly Asian area where Asian goods are priced competitively), but it’s not that bad at all. I love seeing snack foods from my childhood.
THE reason I come here is specifically for the food (in the back). After a recommendation from a native Vietnamese Hartfordite, this has become my go-​to spot for banh mi on the go. The bubble tea here isn’t horrible, but that’s because my H and I don’t like powder-​based drinks.

Best Viet foods in CT. Forty years in business. A true hidden gem. Very nice proprietors. Friendly!

The food in this place is kickin. The food is served in the back hidden from everyone’s view but I assure you, once you take a bite you’ll love it. The Phở and the «French– Vietnamese style» sandwiches are the bomb. The prices are very reasonable and the proportions are just right. Please note that the area for eating is extreamly small, meant for only 4 – 5 people at most. I usually can get a spot during their slow hours. I never had regrets coming here!!!