Khanh Phong Grocery Store

Khanh Phong is closed. :(Empty, locked up, you get the idea.
It was my to-​go spot for all things Phở and spring roll and other made-​at-​home goodnesses. Prices were low, meat was always fresh, selection of noodles both dry and fresh quite ample.
I read a review that warned not to go in if you are not Asian. I cannot speak to that experience, as I’m as McWhitey as they come, and the folks who worked there were always pleasant enough and helpful to me. Perhaps not in that DIsney/​Stepford-​like sugar-​coated ‘have a nice day!’ effusive manner expected by a segment of the community, but a more reserved and unpatronizing service. And yes, for most of the employees, English was not their strong suit. But certainly learned and articulated better than my Vietnamese ever was.
I can hope/​dream that they’re relocating close. Or, at least, the positive experience of shopping there, like energy itself, isn’t destroyed, but merely transferred. Cuz we of all cultures could use more stores like this.

DON’T GO HERE IF YOU ARE NOT OF ASIAN DESCENT! Let’s first start with the fact that I am not Asian. Went to this store in search of a special yin tea. I was first ignored. No acknowledgment, what so ever. Yes, it was close to closing time, but when I was browsing in the tea isle, two workers decided to wheel the outdoor produce carts into the very isle I was in, then yelled at me to move. I did, but then pinned against the tea. I said «hey,» and tried to wiggle through, but they just ignored me and kept on. I was completely stunned and annoyed. I then went to find the manager, to either complain or to ask about the special tea – I wasn’t quite sure yet. I walked around, and found no other workers. I went back to select a couple of other teas, then went to the cashier. Still stunned, I stood there watching as two customers came in (Asian) and the two workers greeted them with enthusiasm. I stood at the cash register, waiting for several minutes, then went to find someone (again) – only to be told in a harsh voice «WE CLOSE»! Yet, the other customers still happily shopped. I just left my tea at the register and left, because I didn’t want them to see me cry. I have never felt so targeted before. Shame on those workers and shame on this store. If someone reading this who shops at this store, can translate what I have written, please let them know about this experience. They need to know that how they treated me – was noticed. All other people considering shopping at this store, think twice before you do. We have a major issue in America with prejudice and discrimination – and the workers at this store have contributed to that problem. I have a feeling that I am not the only one who has experienced this problem at this store.

I stopped in here and bought some really fresh ginger, viet mint, and thai chilis. It’s a small /​nice place, and the owners do a good job at cramming many things you would need for your kitchen and pantry. The prices here are really affordable. Overall, a good experience for expanding my asian market go-​to spots.

I finally broke in the Vietnamese part of my shoes and decided after 20-​some years that I’d better get a move-​on in cooking my own damn Vietnamese dishes. After all, when a Viet mom lays out home-​cooked, no-​named plates of deliciousness day in and day out, you either just eat it or endure the wrath of attack chopsticks. (Kidding, sort of.)
But when you’re all of a sudden 2,271 miles away from home for a good long time, the twinges of addiction to sour fish soup (aka canh chua ca) and family dysfunction rear their heads, driving you to actually recreate and Skype/​mail pics of your take on the dish to said Mom.
And that’s exactly what was able to happen, thanks to Khanh Phong Super Market and its friendly and helpful staff (and the Unilocal community, who guided me to one of the few Vietnamese-​centric stores in Chinatown). While I thought I had collected all the necessary ingredients, the family who owns the store pretty much corrected that assumption by reminding me to grab rice paddy herb, pineapple, the proper tamarind base, etc. And aside from having to endure the beating of a poor catfish for the dish (in another store), the dish was brilliant and delicious and more importantly, it brought me home for the holidays.

One of the few spots in Chinatown that carries fresh shredded green papaya. A lot of their veggies are meh, though. They do offer their less fresh veggies at a reduced price, and that’s definitely helpful for bargain-​hunters or folks on a budget.

Khanh Phong Grocey is more a southeatern grocer than a chinese one. this means food products from thailand, cambodia, vietnamese, etc. are more likely to be found here than products from taiwan or china. hong kong probably.
amenities:
–lots of veggies, fruits on the sidewalk
–fresh meat and some seafood inside store at meat counter
–prepped foods ready to eat at counter
–lots of southeast asian food products inside
eats: shrimp roll (3ish)
–fresh and tasty
buys: joss sticks (1.79)
–very cheap, cheaper than at joss stores.
notes:
–fast service, business in chitown is slow these days.
–cash only

They have DDUK here. I need this to make DDUKBOHSAHM. That’s all that matters. This place is the spot and I can have my crucial ingredient for just $ 1 per pack. If you are Korean or have a Korean friend you need to get in on DDUKBOHSAHM… The greatest meal on planet earth that you could ever consume.
You’re welcome.
the Great,
GumZ

Came here last week to pick up some food for the kitchen. Didn’t really pay attention to their produce but this store is actually pretty interesting. They carry some Vietnamese products which is cool. They carry fresh coconuts, sauces, fresh ho fun (rice noodles), produce, frozen foods, Vietnamese phở broths, Thai chili peppers, and some other things. I’ve been to a lot of grocery markets in the East Bay and I barely see any that carry Thai chili peppers. I’ve seen a couple that do sell them but they were either not fresh, broken, or came in a big box. The Thai chili peppers they sell here come in a small plastic bag which is great because I can never finish a whole box of them before they go bad. Their Thai chili peppers were very nice and fresh too. Will definately be back in the future to do some more grocery shopping here.

Warning: Expired items on shelf. Beware. If you shop here, double check the expiration date on the products.
Purchased a bag of chicharones and took a first bite of it and ewwww, old ass piece of chicharone. Yuck! Looked for the date on bag, April 23, 2011! Wth. Hecka old. 10 months old, really?! Unbelievable. Talk about being greedy & cheap that they don’t want to buy new ones. SMH. My 3^rd time here and this will be my last. So disappointed.
ATTN: Store owners: please check your shelf items for expired products. Do not sell those or else your customers will be sick. Check check check!!!

This place is one of 3 places in Chinatown that carries herbs used in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cooking. In other words, aside from your usual fresh produce such as bok choy and bean sprouts.
They carry Tonkin jasmine (hoa thiên l), corriander, cilantro, basil, green onions, garlic, thai chili, lemon grass, mint, and ginger root.
Other than fresh produce, they also sell meat too. This includes beef, pork, and some chicken.
Just thought I share this since it took me forever trying to buy stuff around China town.

I’d give this place more stars but I don’t get the «full» Chinatown experience here as I do at Sam Yick or other places. People aren’t rude here, they don’t spit and almost hit your feet, and they don’t cut the queue here. That’s sad… you need the full Chinatown experience…
On the flip side… Produce is good… fresh, reasonably priced, and delish. Parking is horrendous as usual. I don’t speak a word of Vietnamese except for the words Phở’ or Banh Mi but nothing else. But why does everyone in there start speaking to me in Vietnamese? lol
Oh well. I go here frequently, so even if I don’t get the full Chinatown experience here, at least I can get fresh fruit and items here. Safe for my belly, good for my wallet.

Watch out! The aisles are tiny here. But if you’re patient, your wallet and stomach will love you. I usually don’t hang out in Oakland’s Chinatown, but i fell in love with this store because it resembled so many of the mom and pop grocery stores in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
They have all the canned Asian foods, sauces, veggies, drinks, noodles, preserved foods, and fruits. Definitely a one stop shop that mucho affordable for your Asian food needs.

Khanh Phong sells some of the best quality produce in Oakland Chinatown. Most of it is in-​season, relatively fresh and ripe. My favourites are their lychees, citrus fruits, cucumbers, bok choy, and mushrooms. And, as with most of the grocery stores in the neighbourhood, the prices are rock-​bottom.
I also like how I don’t feel rushed at the cash register, but it is a bit cramped inside.

This place is Viet-​Tastic!
[5/​20/​08 — they’re also really bitchy about uh… picture-​snapping LOCALS. See my amendment.]
I dig Oakland’s own Chinatown because it’s a genuine (read: pretty much devoid of picture-​snapping tourists) center of commerce for the local Chinese and Vietnamese population.
As a Chinkana gal who is ever-​willing to put funny things in her mouth (at least twice) I find the pursuits on 9^th Street allow me to be inquisitive and simultaneously breathe the surrounding air without the assistance of an SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus). I’ll readily admit it: my peeps eat some really funky smelling and looking things, many of which taste interesting, if not delicious.
This grocery store is a total score:
* Baguette & Chinese Donut ‘area’. Baguettes for banh me, to accompany coffee, or to just get some yummy carbs in your system… Chinese Donuts — I’ve seen served with congee-​like rice porridge at restaurants, and I think they’d be an okay variation of the Asian Beignet with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
* Funky dessert beverages with beans and jellies… I dig the huge banh lot… they look like little green commas (or maybe swimmers, if you ask Darin I.) and include a tub of coconut cream to pour over the top, for $ 1.50.
* Fresh, CLEAN produce area featuring FRESH tofu, packages of dumpling wrappers, bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, chili peppers, limes, shredded green mango, pickled carrot+daikon… all the good stuff ya need for a banh mi and bun buffet! Only, without the bother of hunting all of this stuff down at your local store and paying outrageous prices for it. Plus, the risk of shredding your manicure or receiving mandoline-​inflicted wounds is all but eliminated. Not that it’s ever happened to moi. Errrr… it won’t happen again.
* Enclosed, refrigerated meat case. It looked like they had some interesting cuts — short ribs, spare ribs, ‘yellow’ style chickens…
* Party Platters of Vietnamese goodies: $ 11 bucks got me a Costco-​sized lasagna tray full of delicate, steamed rice flour wraps embracing fresh basil leaves, assorted greens and marinated+grilled beef. They were nestled into the giant aluminum tray, 3 deep and included 2 sauces: a tub of the fish sauce + carrot shreds and a peanutty-​hoisin blend. The Caveman, Cadet and I together COULD NOT FINISH A WHOLE TRAY.
I also spotted some other specialties: steamed rice flour rounds sprinkled with mung bean paste and ground shrimp… and some other dumplings that had marinated, whole, shell-​on shrimp inside of them.
Don’t ever take nacho dip to a sports-​related social — stop in here, and be worshiped for your culinary brilliance, even if you are [presently] famous for your inability to boil water!
* Comprehensive, ORGANIZED aisles of condiments, sauces and seasonings.
* They DO accept debit/​credit cards, (Visa, MC) but I’m not sure about Amex or Discover. Who uses Discover anymore (other than my Dad)???
* This grocery does have shopping carts, but I don’t recommend using them; it just clogs the aisles up, and you don’t want a Vietnamese granny giving you a dirty look or kidney-​punching you as she makes her way past you. Actually, that didn’t happen to me, I’m just putting it out there. The patrons were all really cool-​headed and totally polite.
* The counter staff speak English! Hooray! I left with my head held high, and my reusable shopping bags FULL… and not feeling like a failure as an Adopted Asian chick.
5÷20÷08: Update — I am a failure as an Adopted Asian chick. Caveman and I stopped by and I took two meager snaps [to fill out my review] and then one of the English-​speaking staffers started berating me, screaming at me to stop. She said I had to ask the Manager first; I asked to do so, and was ignored while the woman snickered and talked about me to another smirking customer (in Vietnamese).
I should have just given her a blank stare and said, «No hablo ingles…» My Inner Vietnamese Woman is deeply wounded, because obviously I wasn’t passing as «one of them». And while my first impulse is to (a) never spend another nickel there; (b) seethe in resentment and © burn down the building…
I probably will end up doing (d) none of the above, but mostly not © because I’m never going to commit a[nother] felony. Ummm… what I mean is really: they most likely will not go out of business if I impose economic sanctions upon them. Although I do not personally enjoy verbal humiliation in public places (not that there’s anything wrong with that — as long as it’s consensual) it doesn’t change the fact that they still have good stuff that I want.
Maybe it was too WASPy and WOVEN of me, to expect the same kind of service standards or «professional courtesies» that I get at Dean & Deluca. Maybe I shall return incognito and with a pseudonym! Tina? How does that sound… ?
I will nickname the Vietnamese Verbal Abuser «Ike».

I agree with Brad L. that Khanh Phong is fairly cool toward gweilo, but neither are they especially rude. The two times I was there, I was served by an elderly Vietnamese man who did not say a single unnecessary word to me if he could help it – but neither did he stall or display any temper. I’m a good guilty white liberal, so that will do for me.
And I have to admit — I cannot resist the produce. Yesterday I came home with «fetal» bok choy (much smaller than what I have seen labeled «baby bok choy» elsewhere), a big, beautiful, flawless white cauliflower, and a big sack of – I don’t know what, some kind of greens with juicy stems, which the kindly man trimming vegetables outside the store told me were not mustard, but something sweeter that he didn’t know the English name of. If you’re not Asian and you insist on friendliness when shopping in an Asian market, do talk to the nice man trimming vegetables outside.
Come to think of it, I have no idea whether or not their produce is organic — but it is beautiful, flavorful, and cheap. Khanh Phong is also an easy walk from the 12^th St. BART station.

If you don’t have time to comparison-​shop in Oakland Chinatown, this should be your one-​stop. It combines the pan-​Asian range of sauces and packaged goods at Cho Lon Moi with the great selection of what-​is-​that? exotic vegetables at Wah Hang. All that’s missing is Sam Yick’s friendliness towards gweilo (or, truth be told, any friendliness at all). Competitively priced: today I got a bottle of Three Lobster brand fish sauce (from Phu Quoc, the Bordeaux for fish sauces, though it didn’t turn out to be that great), two kinds of rice paper, plus three bags of Kasugai roasted hot green peas for my friend Shankenstein, all for a mere $ 6.94 total. They even have a meat counter and, goodness, fresh fish and prawns, which I’m not brave enough to try.