Orient Market — Local services in Garden City

Update: August 2024....friends have gone in a dozen or so times since the original post. We even ventured back after they told us "she's a lot nicer now". Orient Market still has the best giant steamed buns in Boise, their kimchi is tied for the best tasting/best priced, and the 3-pack Ramen is the best in a Boise grocery aisle. So what's changed?? The customer service. Friendly on every visit. In all our years shopping here, this is the longest most consistent "nice customer service" we've ever had. Evidently someone said something. Long story short: the attitude of the owner is driving customers away (read other reviews). After many years as customers we will stop coming here. We hope her nice son reads this and does something about his mother's "Angry Tiger" attitude. She could make Ted Lasso depressed. Read on...

I have Asian relatives. I travel to Asia several times a year. I understand the cultural differences. What many think is "mean" really is just a stoic focused shy/introverted language barrier hard at work reality. I also know how difficult it is running a minority-owned business in a town like Boise.

Feel free to shout at your spouse in the privacy of your own home. And not that child abuse is to be taken lightly, but go ahead and beat the disrespect and American entitlement out of your disappointing Asian kids at home. And by all means be passive-aggressive with your Asian friends behind their back. We know their pho uses packaged ingredients whereas you toil over a simmering pot for hours. Yes, be an Angry Asian all you want at home....BUT YOU CAN'T BE MEAN TO CUSTOMERS!!

I've lived in Boise part-time for over 40 years. The owner of Orient Market is the reason I will stop shopping here, and I will make sure all my friends do the same. Many have had enough (again: read the reviews). Most of them go to the big market on Cole and Ustick or the small market on Fairview near Mitchell (but their parking lot is horrible, and the last thing you want to deal with is Asian drivers in midsize SUV doing 19 point turns).

I've put up with the owner's attitude for years, often making a "game" of it to see if we can make her say "hello" with a smile. Heaven forbid if you make her come out of the office while she's eating to ring you up while crunching pickled carrots and cucumbers.

The positives: Market has the best big steamed buns in Boise. Nothing else comes close. And many like their $2 baguettes. Her female employees are sweet. I believe her son works part-time on weekends to give everyone a break. He's super cool!

But if you see a white BMW SUV in the parking lot you should just keep on going. Get your giant steamed buns another day (I believe she doesn't work Sundays, but you may want to verify with a drive-by). The owner's attitude will throw a wet blanket on your day.

Go to these two places instead. We have NEVER had a rude customer service experience:

Idaho Capital Asian Market 3107 N Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83704

Asia Market (the bad parking lot) 9975 W Fairview Ave,...

I went to this store for the 1st time 2 week's ago.. I hadn't been into an Asian Market here in ID.. I was invited back on a Friday by the Gentleman working on the Cash Register. I was a little nervous at 1st because I didn't have a plan or list and pulled in to see what they had on a slow Sunday afternoon..

When I returned the next week on Friday I was welcomed by Staff and Customer's..I wasn't familiar with all the produce or fruit and the product's that didn't have English information as well .. 3 ladies heard me ask a question and began telling me about their favorite's and shared a few Recipes! 1 of the Ladies asked if I would like to share an Asian Pumpkin so I could try it before I I committed to a larger size.. The Employee took it in the back cut and repacked it. She also took time to make a smaller bag of bean sprout's for me.. Price's are very reasonable especially on Fresh Herb's and produce!!

They might not have everything a larger Market may carry, but I can say they'll do whatever they can to Accommodate you..

The experience alone is worth supporting this Neighborhood Market!

I could get a smaller package of bean sprout's and t their fa It was a...

We've been going to this market for years but no more. We walked in wearing masks and were the only ones doing so. We were going to buy some fish and other items and went to the back only to find the lady who works in the fish department not wearing a mask either and actually coughed and touched her face while working and didn't wash her hands afterwards. We asked the owner, who we've come to know well over the years, why no one was wearing masks and he openly mocked us. It was a very odd experience. George, I don't know why you're acting this way but you lost a long time and loyal customer. We'll take our...