10 things you must know about WA's T&T Supermarket
BELLEVUE, Wash. - T&T Supermarket, the largest Asian grocery store chain in Canada, has officially opened its first U.S. location in Bellevue’s Factoria Mall, marking a significant milestone for the brand.
At a whopping 76,000 square feet, it's also the largest Asian grocery store in Washington state.
If you're planning to make a trek out to the new store, we recently visited and put together a list of 10 things you must know before visiting. Keep reading to find out.
Hundreds of customers packed the aisles of T&T Supermarket on Dec. 5, 2024, in Bellevue, Wash. (T&T Supermarket)
1. Be ready to wait
Shannier Yang, director of prepared foods and bakery, assures that outdoor wait times should not exceed 20 minutes.
To make the experience more comfortable, management has provided portable bathrooms for visitors. Hint: these aren't your typical porta potties, but rather the nicer restrooms you'd find at shows like Cirque du Soleil at Marymoor Park.
Also, don’t forget to budget extra time for the checkout, which can take about 15 minutes. During a Wednesday afternoon visit, the line stretched from the Korean skincare aisle all the way to the frozen foods section.
2. The best time to visit is between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Crowds tend to be lighter in the mid-afternoon hours leading up to dinner. However, don’t expect the store to be quiet. According to Yang, an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 shoppers have visited the store daily since the grand opening last week, with some traveling from as far as Portland.
3. Grapes are the ‘it’ produce item
Specifically, seedless Korean grapes.
Front and center as you enter the store, the Shine Muscat brand takes the spotlight. According to Yang, these juicy fruits are typically pricey, but T&T offers them at a more affordable price point.
Note: Since T&T is a Canadian-founded store, the Factoria store adheres to Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidelines.
T&T supermarket offers a variety of Asian products, including fresh produce and live seafood. (T&T Supermarket)
4. T&T Supermarket has an aquarium you can eat
T&T offers a truly hands-on seafood experience. Using tongs, customers can pick live lobsters, Dungeness crabs or massive geoduck clams and place them in a bucket to be weighed at the counter. Other tanks, which are strictly hands-off, showcase creatures like eels, King Crab, bullheads and a variety of other marine life.
At the seafood counter, shoppers can choose their preferred fish and request custom cuts. Standout options include catfish, lingcod and the eye-catching big red thornyhead, whimsically nicknamed the "idiot fish."
5. Hot Pot lovers will rejoice over the fish ball bar
Featuring flavors like egg roe, crab, cuttlefish and shrimp, the fish balls are perfect for a simmering broth. Some are pinstriped, while others come in bright pinks and yellows, resembling candies more than savory delights.
Note: This section is not self-serve.
6. T&T Supermarket has its own private label
T&T's own private label offers a wide range of products, including chips and an array of frozen goods.
According to Yang, the brand features affordable staples like dumplings and edamame, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
7. Most T&T Supermarket staff are bilingual
T&T Supermarket specializes in Chinese favorites, which is why many staff members speak Cantonese or Mandarin to assist customers.
The store also caters to diverse tastes with a wide selection of Korean and Japanese products.
The supermarket chain, originally founded in Canada, offers a variety of authentic Asian products, along with fresh produce, live seafood, an in-store kttchen and bakery, and Asian beauty products. (T&T Supermarket)
8. The T&T Supermarket deli is at the heart of all the action
According to Yang, the deli and adjacent bakery are undoubtedly the store’s main attractions.
During our visit, shoppers packed the area shoulder to shoulder. The Papa Crispy Chicken proved especially popular — it was already sold out by 10:30 a.m.
Another highlight was the made-to-order Taiwanese stuffed sticky rice rolls, which resemble burritos and drew a steady line of eager customers.
The deli also features a grab-and-go section and a self-serve hot bar, offering a variety of quick and delicious options.
Featured
T&T Supermarket to expand in WA with 2nd location coming to Lynnwood
The second location is expected to open in summer 2025.
9. The pastry case is packed, but Portuguese Tarts steal the show
The buzz online is all about T&T’s Portuguese egg tarts, and it shows. Lines quickly form at the pastry counter for these popular treats.
Customers can choose between two versions: the classic tart or the upgraded Napoleon, which Yang notes is a standout favorite.
For a closer look, check out our video review of this must-try pastry included at the top of this story.
10. Mango lovers, this is your paradise
By the time we arrived at 10:30 a.m., the highly sought-after Australian mangos had already sold out. However, mango enthusiasts with a sweet tooth won’t be disappointed — the pastry case is filled with mango-inspired desserts, including a decadent mango cake.
However, if you want to get your hands on the Australian mangos, come early.
T&T Supermarket is open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. To learn more, visit the store's website.
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