Asian World Market — Local services in Springfield

Like being in another country. Condiments for days whose purpose and origin are a total mystery to me. I did, however find everything I needed for one of those recipes you see online where you have to read 1500 words about that adorable pair of bespoke socks the author's Abuelita knitted for them when they were growing up in Ecuador or something and it inspired them to make this dish to pay homage to their homeland and incidentally said dish requires a lot of strange ingredients which good luck finding in a regular grocery store before you ever see the actual recipe, amiright? The staff was friendly and did for some reason give me some really good natured ribbing about buying brown rice on account of it being too healthy so no way it will taste good etc., but it may be just that I was clearly out of my element, not only because I was the only one of Eastern European descent in there (and probably 18 inches taller than the next tallest human in sight), but also because a lot of the labels were written in languages that I couldn't even identify much less understand. It felt like going home, if home was an Asian market full of mystery condiments. By that I mean I wandered around saying "what the heck" so often that people near me began to laugh nervously and shuffle slowly away from me, the wheels on their child-laden strollers rattling with a particular high and lonesome sound against the tile floor. Also, it was hot outside, too, and when I stepped inside I felt better right away, what with the coolness and the air conditioning and whatnot. I can't comment on what it would be like in the winter, maybe the opposite - cold outside and warmer inside.

10/10 would return weather...

This was my first time going, and I was definitely pleased with the wide variety of products available. There are whole frozen fish, a solid selection of fresh vegetables, as well as several aisles dedicated to kitchen utensils.

I'm not sure what it was like before Covid-19, or if they were in the process of unpacking inventory to put on the shelves, but one downside of the trip today was the presentation on the shelves. Most items were still stored in cardboard boxes that were open for customers to get what they needed, and I did like that I could see where items came from (printed on the side of the cardboard box). It also seemed like there just wasn't enough shelf space, since most aisles had a row of products on the floor directly in front of the shelves.

Still, that wasn't much of a deterrent for me. The aisles are wide enough to walk through comfortably.

I was able to find snack foods that I've had before, and can rarely find, and even ventured to try some of the snacks they have for sale right by the cash register. (The sweet bean rolls with sesame seeds are a new family favorite!)

I'm definitely going to return when I have an actual grocery list, instead of wandering the aisles...

Drove up from Osage Beach because of the reviews and I was tired I'd driving to KC. See the pic of the Harleys? The bike shop next door park's them inside the store at night, maybe no room in their own joint? Small veggie section, half of them were old and waaay past being useful. There is a great collection of canned and dried foods, frozen foods and even household items. Chk the expiration dates, some of the items I picked up were months past. There is a lot of frozen seafood and meats but as in many local Asian stores, they are packed poorly. The pork belly, tendon, beef soup bones etc were just dumped in a cheap, thin plastic bag and tied with a zip tie. No end dates, def subject to freezer burn and bad smells. The shelves both inside and outside the freezer were disorganized and terribly stacked. No fresh food to eat this morning. 😣 The cashier was 10 minutes late to open and it was just her. She was friendly and quiet but running around like a chicken with her head cut off. I'll...