Kim’s Mart — Local services in Vancouver

Absolutely love(d) this little gem in Mt Pleasant. I come here for nearly all my groceries, and I mean all; the fruit, veg, and asian food is incredible and well priced. I'd choose Kim's mart over the other supermarkets any day. So it pains me to write this as I don't want to tarnish the reputation of a great local store.

However, I am pretty such I had a bad experience a few times with the meat purchased, which has made me pretty ill, with the last time being a week ago. I don't like to accuse or point our local stores, but today I had another experience that confirmed my theory. As usual, today I went to grab some onigiri, fruit and other things for lunch, and looked at the staff prepping the meat at the meat counter. The guy working there legitimately put his finger in his mouth numerous times... with gloves on... and then went back to prepping the food, with the same gloves on. I thought I was seeing things, and he made eye-contact with me. But no, he did it again! This made me pretty certain that my theory for the food poisoning I've had comes from the meat or the way the meat is prepared. Kim's mart, please make sure there are health and safety standards being followed, it was pretty evident here that this is not the case. I'd be pretty upset to see Kim's closed, but cumon, its basic stuff. Anyway, I hope to keep shopping at Kim's mart, and hope the health standards improve, but be warned...

Reasonable prices for groceries (as opposed to say, H-Mart) with plenty of Korean food product selections, so you should be able to find what you need, in terms of ingredients (with much more selection of "K-groceries" outside of the now "run of the mill" asian supermarket that's easily accessible within the lower mainland, such as T&T). The premade "side dishes" aren't too bad either and there's always that "4 for whatever" deal that makes it that much more worth it, suckering you to buy those 4 sides. Theres also a respectable Japanese market next door, so it's rather convenient location wise, if Japanese and Korean groceries/ingredients are what you're specifically targeting. Kim's Mart bake/sell sweet potatoes on location so that's probably you're smelling as you waltz in. I haven't tried myself, so I wouldn't know if it's any good but its baked sweet potatoes. Only downside IMHO to this cozy market, is the severe lack of freaking space and tight quarters when attempting to manoeuver around the aisles (I swear I'm not that fat) which can suck but then again, I suppose they want to make you realize that patience...

Did you know if you want to shop here, you have to tell what is inside your bag? Today was first time coming to this location of Kim's mart.

I was going to the one of the aisle and I saw a old gentleman (a staff) and he was blocking my way. He told me "if you don't use the shopping cart, you can't shop here" so I took the cart. But the store was obviously full, so I had to wait until someone pass their way.

I waited 5 minutes but nobody moves. Just decided to return the cart and go out from this store.However, the guy was waiting and blocking the entrance. He asked me if I didn't steal anything from the store and asking what I have in my tote bag. I kindly let him know I bought them from upstairs. (Sakuraya) He still didn't move away so I had to find a little space to walk away.

I've never experienced a staff asking me if I was a thief. Also, I saw other customers with no shopping carts but he didn't say anything to them. I am a normal Asian girl with 2 tote bags. I won't come...