Better World Market (NO EBT) — Attraction in West Lafayette

When I first walked into Better World Market years ago, I was not impressed. So much so I avoided shopping there until about three months ago when I could not find something I was looking for at other Asian markets in the area.

Since then I have returned several times and even brought a midwestern friend with me to show her what neat products were offered there and nowhere else in several counties.

I highly recommend that you shop at this store for Asian foods first — especially if you want to avoid trips to multiple stores to find various Asian products, especially Japanese (e.g., the ever elusive Calpico/Calpis drink concentrate!).

Furthermore, if you are new to the East-Asian shopping experience or looking to find the largest selection of Asian foods in the area, I recommend visiting Better World Market. Taking a trip there is like a momentary culinary step outside of the U.S. that will potentially introduce you to foods you otherwise would not see, e.g., Japanese and Korean drinks and flavours of Lay’s crisps (potato chips) you do not typically see in the U.S. They also sell a variety of nifty Asian dishes and cooking utensils.

After at least five different trips, I have had a consistently good experience with:

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Organisation, Cleanliness, Lighting, and Shopping Carts

Arguably the best organised, clean, and lit Asian store around. Product is always well placed and presented under bright lights. This place is the antithesis of the stereotypically dark, 1940s-era military bunker vibe one gets from many smaller Asian markets all around the world.

You also have access to more than one kind of shopping cart which is very helpful, i.e., if you have a larger list, there are traditional metal push carts or smaller carry/pull carts for more modest quantities.

Customer Service

Even when busily tending to tasks, associates have graciously stopped and helped me find products. When they did not know, they asked a more informed colleague to help.

But if you are looking for a Japanese-department style level of customer or American-style service, you will be disappointed. Staff are friendly but not Western-emotive, animated, and talkative friendly. They act in very stereotypical manners of those who work in markets of this nature found in many Asian countries.

Their demeanour adds to the ambiance of a more authentic Asian shopping experience, in my humble opinion. So much so that you may forget you are in the U.S. for a moment if not for the English words and speakers that steal moments of your attention as you gaze upon the vast selection of frozen dumplings and the demeanour of the ‘Asian-friendly‘ staff.

Asian Vegetable Selection and Quality

If you have ever tried to find the likes of baby bok choy or daikon elsewhere, you know how frustrating trying to find these vegetables elsewhere is. Usually when you do find them, they are depressingly in a state of dehydration, wilting, and faded colours. This is now my go-to place because I can find these kinds of veggies and in the best condition I have seen in the county!

Meat

Arguably offers the best quality meat out of all Asian markets within a 60-mile radius of Purdue. It is not frozen grey like at other markets and actually has colour. You can find thinly-cut beef for making the likes of hot pot, bulgogi, shabu-shabu, etc. They also sell fresh (alive) shellfish and pork belly (which is not easily found anywhere else local).

Noodles, Frozen Dumplings, and Buns

THE LARGEST selection of noodles around! They have at least one isle dedicated to noodles from all around the world! Also, they have dried rice elbow macaroni for those gluten-free shoppers who are sick of corn-blended pastas.

Also, you cannot beat the selection of frozen dumplings and steamed buns they offer.

Parking

Still tight like other markets in the area but less congested and more manageable than other places. Has the largest number of parking spots of any Asian market in the...

I'm highly impressed, and would absolutely recommend a visit to this store.

The store is newly remodeled, and potentially the cleanest grocery store in town. They require masks for all, which helped me feel safe taking my time to shop. The employees were friendly and welcoming, another thing that made me comfortable to wander a while. Their meat selection is vast, even including some live fish. The frozen section included every flavor of dumpling and bao I could think of, and all my favorite ice creams. They carry plenty of convenience foods for folks short on time, and plenty of kitchen staples to try your hand at making your favorites. The produce was fresh and well stocked. They also carry an impressive variety of dried flowers for cooking. The prices are lower than similar items at the corporate grocers in town, and Better World Market had a far better selection to offer in every category (instead of a handful of ramen flavors, they offer several dozen, for example). My best advice is to start in the back because you'll want to take your time browsing all the fun snacks, then get refrigerated and frozen on the way out. Overall, a very positive experience, and I'll definitely be...

Really not sure what "Nate Seltos" is smoking - I speak exactly zero Chinese and don't have a problem navigating. Some products can be more expensive than in American chain grocery stores (such as cookware), but I should think the reason you're there is to get items they don't have. Also, the vegetables are extremely reasonably priced; I always find myself spending less than I would have at Kroger or Meijer on the same items. No idea how he spent $67, I can hardly spend $25 there. If you can't understand Chinese, use Google Translate or ask for help - though I've never had to do either, as the labels tend to be in both English and Chinese. Overall it's a really nice place with an impressive selection of goods that I can't get elsewhere, and their sanitization standards are far above American chain groceries (a huge plus in this pandemic).

Oh, and if you want the English menu?...