Sandyi Oriental Market

We moved further away from this neighborhood market, but I still drive back to the old neighborhood just to shop here. This place is a great little market that has a variety of Japanese and Korean items. The owners are great. I love supporting their business.

I’ve driven by this asian market for years, and finally decided to go in, and am glad I did. It’s smaller than the mega-​asian markets, and focuses on Japanese/​Korean. But it’s well stocked with essentials and has Japanese and Korean items you can’t find in the other stores. They have some great soup-​in-​a-​bag (like Kimchi soup), that are popular in Asia but not readily available in USA.
I thought the prices were fair considering it is a small store. It’s clean.
I’ve got to say also: The owner/​clerk at Sandyi is very friendly and helpful– unlike those at LeeLees and G&L. She has pride of ownership. Although a «senior citizen» she got up walked the aisle to show me a product, which is more than the younger employees do at G&L where they tell me to go find it myself because they don’t want to leave the cash register!

In my various quests for Korean foods, I’ve generally had the best luck at Sandyi. Occasionally they even have items I can’t find elsewhere in town. For Tucson, they’re a five-​star business; the only reason I gave them four stars is that I’ve been spoiled by Korean markets in places like Ellicott City, Maryland, where it’s like walking into a wormhole and ending up in Korea itself. They also have reasonable prices and are always friendly.

Fun little market tucked away on Pima and Columbus has pretty much what you might be looking for in a pinch for Oriental foods and drinks. They have Saki and beer and some kitchen stuff as well and frozen goods. If you’re seeking fresh Tofu and things I would try Leelee Market.

This place always has the large jars of whole kimchi available, and the delicious white glutinous rice my wife and I crave. They also carry all the basic meats and fish you need to build a nice little Korean meal. Personally I love the fish they sell here, I have no idea on the freshness but it always comes out tasting moist and delicious. I’ve also enjoyed the fermented squid they usually have in the cooler, and the other misc. pickled dishes they carry.

What a neat little place! I was pleasantly surprised when I found this place so close to my house. Lee-​Lees, as awesome as it is, is a drive for me so this place is great for us central-​lites.
The best way to describe this place is «a little bit of everything.» Noodles, oils, sauces, rice, sweet and salty snacks, etc etc. I was surprised at the small section of fresh noodles in the fridge section. The fridge holds these delicious red bean cakes that I can see myself returning for.
This place seems to have been a convenience store in a past life, and this little store is a bit run down, but it’s a great place. A nice central option for when the need for Asian ingredients arises.

After moving here from having lived in two cities with Chinatowns, this is a godsend in an otherwise desolate asian food city. I’m thrilled to be able to buy the ingredients I need to make some stuff at home because my oh my, the chinese food in Tucson is lacking.

If you’ve been to Korea and have developed a love for MELONA bars – they have them (for $ 1). I had been craving one of those bars of frozen honeydew deliciousness for about a decade and finally found one at a store on a street in Tucson. It made my day.

My cardinal rule: unless the restaurant, market, or store doesn’t make me sick, angry, feel cheated, or feel mistreated as a customer, it does not get anything less than 3 stars.
I still abide to that rule thanks to a friend of mine who suggested that bad online reviews can kill a restaurant, in some cases justifiably, and in some other cases, not justifiably. And I agree.
Sandyi oriental market. They did nothing wrong. In fact everything went great! Found few things we needed to make few delicious korean dishes and, frankly, that was more than I expected. According to Unilocal,2 stars = Meh, I’ve experienced better. and it cannot describe more accurately how I felt coming out from this market. I know, I know I’m being snobby because I used to live in LA and in LA, korean markets are huge…
Bottom line, meat selection is poor, condiments are slightly overpriced, frozen section is decent, produce is lacking, more than enough ramen and asian snacks. I saw some kimbab on the counter for sale and that can be a plus for some, me included. Some asian drinks and alcohol, somewhat limited selection of dried produce.
Then again, if my mom were to shop here with a same budget, i’m sure she can make some great, delicious food that my girlfriend and I can’t. That being said, i’m sure for certain people, this place will more than suffice. :) for me, it’s little difficult.

Nice inventory of Korean, Japanese, and a few other Asian ethnicities. It is three times larger than my regular Asian market, Joy’s. They do carry things that Joy’s does not. He actually carries taiyaki! I’ve never seen this anywhere. (Taiyaki is a Japanese sweet bean in a waffle-​type of batter treat.) They do not carry the 50 lbs. bag of rice, though, and not the brand that I regularly buy. It does not seem like he sells kim chi in a small amount for just me like Joy’s does. Only in very big jars. For some of the items, they carry more variety than Joy’s. A clean and easy store in which to shop. I’ll be back.

Nice little local market for korean & japanese grocery items: oils, vinegars, seasonings, cooking wines, frozen grocery/​meats, and kimchi & kimchi ramen!
Friendly service, though the woman did keep asking my 1yr old if he wanted us to leave him there? (not a chance!)

Find all things Korean that you cant get at any other asian store here!!! I make kbbq a lot at home and i can find everything here. Luckily for me its convienently located just around the corner from my house… literally :)

A great little grocery if you are looking for Japanese or Korean frozen or packaged food; they also have a limited selection of produce and frozen meat. A very nice, family-​owned place.

I was looking for an asian supermarket but had only ever heard of Lee Lee in Tucson, which is a very far from me. So, when I noticed this place I was a bit excited. They have lots of lovely asian snacks and sauces. The produce and frozen foods are a bit lacking when compared to a place like 99 Ranch but what can you expect? Overall, it’s a great little grocery store and in a very convenient location. Love having an asian grocery store in biking distance!

Been going to this place since I was wee. Since I am visiting Tucson, I stopped in. Support local biz!
It’s mostly Korean stuff, so being half-​Korean I find it exciting. Chapaghetti! Bacchus-​D! Gochujang! Chimpang! Those peanut balls with the squid on the outside! It’s a tour of my childhood, an instant time machine to Actual Korea and Actual Korean Food.
If you get there early enough, they have good take-​away kim bap and jap chae at the counter.
It’s a family-​run place with videos, food, beverages, a big snack aisle and some Korean and Japanese booze. I hope they hold it down for the midtown fo-​eva.

This place might not be the place to get your fresh groceries, but it is the most awesome place to get some dried goods and processed stuff. The selection of snacks, Korean Cooking Spices and some Japanese brand stuff is like perusing two long isles at Ranch99 or some other oriental market. The place is definitely worth a drop buy. The price of the snacks isn’t expensive, so give a few snacks that you’ve never seen/​eaten before a try. You’ll be surprised at how good some of them are.
I always drop by this place when I’m on my way home from Sunflower Farmers Market, and leave with a bag of snacks. They also rent out Korean tapes and the lady who always checks me out is super nice.

This store looks like what used to be a neighborhood liquor shop. For its size, it has the requisite groceries. Mostly Korean and Japanese food. I was able to find items that I couldn’t find at the other Asian stores in town, like frozen takoyaki (octopus balls) and Korean shiso herb. I was actually looking for a different but similar Japanese herb, and the owner let me have a free sample of the Korean version. I like coming here when I’m not in the mood to get on the busier streets where the bigger Asian markets are.