Way 1 Supermarket — Attraction in Ann Arbor

I found the prices and selection to be very good, at least compared to where I’m used to shopping (I don’t live in this area). I didn’t require help from the staff so I’m not sure about customer service, but the woman who checked me out seemed nice enough.

There are many reviews complaining about them selling expired products, which is worrying, but I did notice that a vast majority of those reviews are from 4+ years ago. That being said, unfortunately one of the products I bought is 3 months expired according to the label, but fortunately it’s fish sauce which doesn’t really go bad (especially in glass bottles, which this is). It was on heavy discount - two large ~24 ounce bottles for $3.00! (total), which is a fantastic deal, I’d buy 3 year “expired” fish sauce at this price! But still, it is expired according to the label, so that’s a judgement call (personally, I don’t care). It tastes perfectly fine, and is just as good as my more expensive fish sauces (yes I am a fish sauce fiend, in fact I may go back for more!)

I also bought plum sauce, vinegar, bean sprouts, and a few other things, none of which are expired and all taste perfectly fine. Their selection of vinegars is excellent.

I do agree with the reviewers complaining about the place being messy. There were boxes piled up in every aisle all over the place, but they could have just been stocking for all I know, and it didn’t really bother me if I’m honest. Some reviewers complain about foul odors, but I didn’t notice anything particularly unusual.

To sum it up, yeah there were a few relatively minor issues, but when I’m back in the area I’ll surely...

Pros and cons of shopping at Way 1.

Pro: Your most convenient option for Chinese groceries if you live on the north side. Reasonably wide selection of items for the store size. Reasonable prices. Carries some items that are hard to find elsewhere. Reliable option for cans, bottles, and packaged foods. Checkout moves decently fast.

Con: Fresh produce and especially meat quality is awful here. Buy at your own risk. Will gladly sell expired items without a care. The place is dirty and smelly. Employees look like they hate their jobs and have a bad attitude towards customers. Don't even think about asking for a refund. Minimum purchase amount to pay by credit card. No self-checkout but they make you bag your own groceries while they stand there and watch (and complain if you're too slow). Parking...

A lot of variety of vegetables, frozen fish & sea foods, frozen meat.

For packaging products, read carefully about the Expiration date. Sometimes they still put them on the shelves. Although expired date is not mean that the food is already goes bad, but we are used to see the date to make our mind peaceful, right? Several times I bought the over time foods and find them still good. But for the frozen foods especially fried tofu, do recheck. Before the expiration date some times you can find it already molded.

This place is my hidden gem to try another culture's food, like from Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, China, Taiwan.

But sometimes we can't rebuy a product we like, because it took a long time for them to restock.

If you like rice cake or mochi, this July 2024 they have stock of the mugwort rice...