The Twin Cities has a growing and genuinely excellent selection of Asian grocery stores, ranging from broad pan-Asian supermarkets to specialty shops focused on specific regional cuisines. Here’s an honest breakdown of the main options and what each does best.
Shuang Hur Supermarket (Minneapolis & St. Paul)
Shuang Hur is the best option for shoppers who prioritize fresh produce quality, live seafood, and authentic Southeast Asian specialty ingredients — particularly Hmong, Lao, and Karen groceries that are difficult to source elsewhere in the metro. The store has operated for over 30 years and maintains direct relationships with local suppliers. Live seafood tanks (crab, lobster, clams, eel) set it apart from every other option in the market. The butcher counter is strong, with specialty cuts for Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking.
Best for: live seafood, fresh specialty produce, Hmong ingredients, restaurant-quality cuts of meat.
United Noodles (Minneapolis)
United Noodles is the most well-known Asian grocery in Minneapolis, with a clean, well-organized store and broad selection across East Asian categories. Strong on Japanese, Korean, and Chinese pantry staples. The organized layout and strong online presence make it a common first recommendation for newcomers to Asian cooking.
Best for: Japanese and Korean pantry staples, organized shopping experience, gift items.
Dragon Star Oriental Foods (Minneapolis)
A large-format store with competitive pricing and strong inventory volume. Good for bulk purchases and price-sensitive shopping.
Best for: bulk staples, competitive pricing.
The Bottom Line
For fresh ingredients, live seafood, and the most authentic Southeast Asian selection in the Twin Cities, Shuang Hur is the destination. United Noodles wins on Japanese and Korean pantry depth. Dragon Star offers the best pricing on high-volume staples.
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