Hmong Village — Attraction in Saint Paul

If you do visit here to do some shopping, be sure to not wear baggy clothes or even a winter coat (although it who doesn't in the winter?). The vendors will always be suspicious you are looking to walk off with their things. I was shopping for individualized presents for family members, so I passed by a few booths, making mental notes to what I'll come back for. Browsing small bags of paj ntaub, I realized that the shop owner woman was watching me the whole time. Thought it was weird, but I wanted to get the bag, so I asked her how much it was. She told me $15 for the bigger bag, so I gave her that amount, but during the transaction she said to me that she saw me put a smaller bag in my pocket. Confused, I told her I did not, and she could check my pockets if she wants. She did not, and I left after purchasing. But wandering around for more gifts, I felt like her accusation and service was disappointing and rude, so I went back to get a refund and do not want to support her business. She asked why I wanted a refund. I told her because she accused me of being a thief. She said she did not, she only "nicely" asked if I put her item in my pocket earlier. She also did not like how I was browsing through her various bag items (which people do as a normal part of shopping). She would not refund me, and escalated the issue to the security office. The security did not arrive until 30 minutes later. The building managers were not in the office either. After I told my version of the story, and this lady did as well, the security told us we were both in the wrong and that I should not have left after the purchase and confronted her right then to make things right. She never apologized for accusing me, she said they have security camera that she believes caught me putting her shop item in my pocket. After everything being unnecessarily prolonged, I just walked away without a refund. Please do not support her booth 111-112 and just walk right by or she'll suspect you too. Hmong Village and their shop owners do not care about customers and will not make things right in unfair cases towards customers. Be careful if you want to go shop here. The shop owner is the woman in the stripe below. Based on how I look, she judged me to be a bad person who only...

Great food with competitive prices. Avoid buying produce and anything else because the markup is ridiculous. Parking can be a pain too.

Update (11/12/24) *Good Rich 68 ⭐⭐⭐/4 - pho was good, nice flavors. Chili pork ribs were just ok, not very spicy so probably wouldn't order again.

Update (8/1/24): *YPP Kitchen ⭐⭐⭐/4 stars - pho was good, generous amount of meats and garnishes. Very friendly service too. But the papaya wasn't my favorite but just average. And while they took credit cards--with a fee charge, which the restaurant didn't inform me nor were there any signs.

Update (2/18/24): *Fa Deli LLC ⭐⭐/4 stars - it was mediocre; flavors were basic, nothing outstanding, not worth $14.

Update (12/11/23): *Xieng Khoung Kitchen ⭐⭐/4 stars - food was fine. Would have like more flavor in my pho. Service is good and efficient.

Update (12/11/23): *Pho Plus ⭐⭐⭐/4 stars - my to-go-place... Has the best pho imo with consistent flavors. Service is usually friendly too.

Update (10/16/23): *Lucky Food Express ⭐/4 stars - pricey like $2 for a Coke and they messed up my papaya salad and added peanuts when I said I had a nut allergy. Seasoning was off too. Also the homemade pho was disappointing. The homemade fat noodles were too thick and gelatinous, so it didn't soak up any broth. The meat tasted old too. Lastly service was not friendly like other places.

Update (2/18/23): *Santis ⭐️⭐️⭐️/4 stars - fast service and steak was fine but hot sauce was the real star!

*Mai’s Papaya ⭐️/4 stars - took over 20 minutes for an order of papaya salad. And it was poorly seasoned....

Hmong Village is a sprawling marketplace that features over 200 vendors selling a variety of goods, including fresh produce, clothing, jewelry, and traditional Hmong arts and crafts. The market is said to be an excellent place to find unique and hard-to-find items, with prices that are typically lower than at other stores.

The food scene at Hmong Village is a standout feature, with many reviewers praising the diverse and delicious offerings. The food court is home to numerous vendors, each offering a unique selection of Hmong and Southeast Asian cuisine. Some standout dishes that are frequently mentioned include the papaya salad, the Hmong sausage, and the pho. The prices are said to be very reasonable, and the portion sizes are generous.

The environment at Hmong Village is described as bustling and lively, with a vibrant energy that is contagious. Visitors note that the atmosphere is very welcoming, with vendors who are happy to chat and share their culture with visitors. The market is said to be clean and well-maintained, despite its large size.

One thing to note is that parking at Hmong Village can be challenging, especially on weekends when the market is busiest. However, many reviewers note that the experience is well worth the effort of finding a parking spot.

Overall, Hmong Village is a highly recommended shopping and dining destination in St. Paul, Minnesota. With its diverse selection of vendors, delicious food offerings, and lively atmosphere, it is a great place to explore and experience the unique culture and traditions of the...