KP Asian Market — Attraction in Oakland

Since covid happened, they have had disposable gloves and hand sanitizer for it outside you have to put on before going in. It's nice of them to provide everyone with that.

As you walk in and go to the left, you'll see food sets packaged for home cooking like a stew or soups then next to it are pre-made foods like kimbap, pickled veggies that aren't your normal kimchi, bugolgi, and sometimes wings. They're good to pick up and go. Then a bakery section is next.

It's a good place for your korean foods. I come here mostly for hot pot foods all in one trip, labeled as shabu shabu beef and pork but there are a few other cuts that are also pretty thin enough for hot pot too that aren't labeled for shabu shabu. Lots of beef and pork.

Some veggies and herbs might be more expensive here than I could get at my local Asian grocer though. Always get at least 2 packs of enoki and some daikon and/or lotus root or similar.

Plenty of instant ramen, practically a whole aisle dedicated to it, same for snacks. The raw seafood section is pretty averaged sized but they have more variety than your normal Asian grocer like tobiko and sashimi grade (unsure if true) cuts.

Lots of mandu/pot stickers/gyoza. Lots of frozen seafood. Your more western things here will be at a premium obviously. Lots of fruits, outside and inside. If you've never tried cotton candy grapes, I'd suggest to try it but do finish it in 2-3 days otherwise it starts to taste too sugary. Not for diabetics in large portions of course, they do have a higher sugar%.

Lines are usually short but everyone has lots of stuff in their cart or basket.

Then there's a shop nextdoor that will sell non-food things like a hotpot stove and the butane canisters for it as well as charcoal if you're grilling instead. Plenty of random home things in there.

I really only hate the drive to here tbh. They have a guard at the front but still becareful in the parking lot, especially the side one in the evening in this time of rising crime against asians and...

I am writing this review due to rude manager and false advertisement. Today, 5/24/25 around 12:30 pm, I saw a yellow watermelon paper sign for $4.99 each over a large box full of watermelons. I took one of the watermelon and continue shopping at my favorite KP Asian Market for many years. When I paid for all my food, the cashier told me that the watermelon cost $9 to let me know. I said it should be $5 each. She and I went outside and she told me the sign was incorrect placed on the wrong watermelon. It should be for $.99 per lb. Cashier called for Ms. Lin, Manager and told her my situation. Ms. Lin then went outside and check the sign and came back and said the sign was incorrect. She took the watermelon from the cashier and 1) didn't ask if I still want it,; 2) she didn't apology to me for the company error of the incorrect sign; and 3) she didn't bother coming back to the cash register after taking the watermelon. To me, that is false advertisement in error. But being a rude manager, she didn't resolve my issue. I spoke very loud so everyone waiting for the cashier will hear me. Also, I spoke outside the store after she tore the sign. I told her that i will write a review for false advertisement and how she handled the situation to a long time customer. I still thinking if I want to come back to a place that management can't even handle a $5...

I am always impressed when businesses in Oakland have free parking! Koreana Plaza Market's parking lot even has security guards. I was taking a picture of a sign in the parking lot, and a security guard walked over to see what I was doing.

Before I entered the main market, I decided to check out there side store that has lots of non-food items. To get in both stores, first you are required to put on gloves, and then hand sanitizer. They have some very cool large ceramic pots with lids, besides a full gamut of pots, woks, and utensils. There us a lot to see.

Some of the produce looked a little neglected--some were wilted. They have fish that are waiting to go home with someone--really fresh--they are alive!!! There is a fish monger there if you want someone to handle the fish.

Most of the food market is filled with a huge amount of dry products that are in bags and boxes: seeds, noodles, spices, and more. A little overwhelming if you are new to shopping for Korean foods, and really great if you want variety.

They have Korean cuts of beef; lots of frozen fish; refrigerated convenience ethnic foods; and freshly prepared foods ready to eat. I bought some, and ate it in the parking lot (in my car). Yum yum.

I will...