Le Mi Supermarket

I like this Vietnamese grocery store since the people working were so friendly when I was there. They have a decent selection of everything you’d need. Surprisingly, they had vegetarian banh trung thu (moon cakes). Their vegetarian selection is somewhat limited (just tofu), so I usually go to Star Night for that (dried seitan), though the people there are definitely not as nice as the people at Le Mi.

This is my favourite of the many Vietnamese shops around the lower end of Mare Street. It’s not the biggest and so can feel slightly cramped. It also shouldn’t have the widest choice given its size, but I always feel more welcome and seem to find better stuff in here than in the larger Star Night Supermarket just down the street.
My usual shopping list reads something like this: big bunches of coriander and thai basil; fresh tofu; frozen black prawns; char sui buns; lotus root; sushi ginger; sushi rice; black bean sauce; kikkoman soy sauce; japanese kare (curry) stock cubes; Pokki chocolate sticks.
As well as the Asian staples, there is a section at the back with beautiful Vietnamese paper in all shapes and forms. These include bright and colourful wrapping paper and wads of fake $ 100 bills. Also, paper hats, plates, lacquer bowls, painted chopsticks and lots of other kitchen bits and pieces.
Needless to say, it’s all very cheap.