*** Vien Dong Market is now Thuan Phat Supermarket. A post can be found here.
*** Updated posts on Vien Dong Market can be found here and here.
I'm sure most regular Visitors already know that we really don't care much for crowds. And that I find shopping at an unhurried pace rather "relaxing". So I usually will do my shopping at the local Asian Supermarkets in the morning; and Vien Dong is no exception.
Though the parking lot at Vien Dong on Linda Vista Road, never seems to be very crowded, I can't really say the same about the Market. If anything, the small isles and store configuration makes it feel like Vien Dong is always packed to the rafters. So a morning shopping excursion can provide some relief from the claustrophobic experience.
When entering one of these Markets, I noticed I usually follow the same "pattern". Head to produce, either to the right or left and and walk the perimeter of the Market, before exploring the isles. Today as I entered and headed toward the produce section, I passed a fairly large display of New Years items. I believe that this year the 3 days of Tet(Vietnamese New Year) starts somewhere around January 29th. BTW, I've been told that the phrase "Cung Chuc Tan Xuan", on those bright red New Years banners mean something along the lines of, "Many wishes for the new spring".
Oh, and I made sure to pick up some flavored melon seeds, the Missus's latest obsession, as well as the important red-dyed watermelon seeds:
As with most Asian Markets, there are always a few "interesting" signs. Here's one that Sammy and Frankie may or may not like:
The produce section at Viet Dong is large and sprawling, and also quite diverse. The one thing to know is; if you ever need mint, you will almost always find it at a Vietnamese Market.
Because Viet Dong also serves the local Hispanic and Filipino community, you'll find a great variety of produce. I'll just be quiet for a few seconds and post some photos.
There used to be a Vietnamese-Chinese Fast Food stall next to the produce section; but it is now mostly gone, except for the roasted meats.
Along side the roasted meats is the requisite fresh "bread" stand. One thing I noticed is that the price of these French-style baguettes have risen. They are now 30 cents a piece; they used to be 20 cents. Also, I apologize for the blurry "bread" picture. As I was pressing the "shutter" I was blind-sided by a Little Ol' Lady whose shopping cart almost knocked me over into a crate of bittermelon.
With my pride somewhat damaged, and my shins aching, I decided to leave the produce section and head over to the meat and seafood section. At Vien Dong, the meat and seafood section occupies almost one-third of the entire store.
A section with pre-cut and packaged meats occupies the South facing wall, while the meat and seafood counter takes up the entire rear of the market. There is quite a variety of "cuts" available, everything from thin sliced rib for Pho' to "carne asada" cuts. Also, some of the more "interesting" cuts are available. Like Beef Tendon:
You could say that Vien Dong has everything from snout to tail:
Vien Dong is a pretty good resource for those more "exotic" cuts of meat.
About this time I checked my watch, and did notice the Market getting crowded. So it was time for me to leave. Walking to check-out I passed this collection of steamers sitting on top of some deli-cases that line an entire wall. For some reason it always catches my eye:
Some Notes on Vien Dong: The "pungency" factor is not very high in the morning; in fact the smell of bread baking as you enter the store is quite enticing. The check-out counters at Vien Dong always throw me off, they are set-up "backwards". That is you place your groceries on the conveyor and walk behind the register. So for most of the transaction you are facing the back of the Cashier. I just find that a bit odd.
Vien Dong Market III
6935 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111