I tried--believe me, I tried! But after years of trying to get reliably good produce from Everett Oriental Grocery, I finally gave it up after the produce manager tried to convince me that the half-rotten bag of chilies in my hand was good. Sorry, fella, I know rotten produce when I see it!
Everett Oriental Market is primarily a Filipino market, but like most Asian markets, they offer a selection of foods beyond their own regional specialty. They do have some foods not readily available elsewhere locally, even my beloved Mekong, but really--don't plan to get anything fresh. You might get lucky; just don't rely on it! The location on Everett Mall Way can also be awkward and inconvenient, depending on the time of day, but if you time your visit well, you'll do fine. Some of the things I like to purchase there: coconut milk (often on sale), large packs of Shirakiku "hot mate" rice crackers, and wasabi peas. Also, if you're lucky, you'll find bean sprouts and Napa cabbage that are much nicer than those at the supermarket--just look them over carefully. I haven't had as much trouble with those--it's more the non-refrigerated produce such as chilies and Thai basil that I've had a lot of problems with. And between Mekong up closer to home and Uwajimaya about 15 minutes from my husband's workplace, Everett Oriental just isn't worth the drive to me.
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