This Huge Michigan Asian Market Has A Food Hall Worth Exploring

An 80,000-square-foot Asian grocery store now has its own food hall with six restaurants under one roof. Dim sum, ramen, sushi, and build-your-own malatang all sit steps away from the shopping carts.

That size makes it the largest Asian grocery store in Michigan. The building once held a Mervyn’s, and it later grew into the old Big Lots space next door.

I like how one trip can cover dinner, dessert, and a week of groceries. Live fish swim in tanks while bubble tea and mango pomelo sago wait nearby. I can’t imagine leaving with only the items on my list.

The food hall celebrated its grand opening in March 2026, so it still feels fresh. I believe this is the kind of place worth a whole afternoon. So where should you start?

Dim Sum Fans Should Head Straight For Cheng’s

Steamed dumplings. Char siu bao. Siu mai. Rice noodle rolls.

That short list explains why Cheng’s might become your first stop.

The counter specializes in Hong Kong street food, with dim sum leading the way. These are bite-sized dishes made for sharing, though nobody will judge you for keeping a basket to yourself.

Char siu bao are soft buns filled with barbecue pork. Siu mai are open-topped dumplings, and rice noodle rolls are silky sheets wrapped around fillings.

New to dim sum? Order a few different items instead of a big pile of one thing.

That way, you get to sample a range of shapes and flavors in one sitting. It’s a fun way to figure out your favorites without much risk.

Bringing friends makes this even better. More people means more plates, and more plates means more tasting.

Cheng’s also works well as a starter. Grab a few dumplings, then wander to another counter for your main course.

Think of it as the opening act of a very tasty concert. The headliner is entirely up to you.

Target Is The Clue Before The Food Hall

168 Asian Mart stands at 32393 John R Road in Madison Heights, Michigan. Follow John R Road toward the large retail plazas near 14 Mile Road in Metro Detroit.

The market shares a major shopping plaza area with a Target store, which makes the right commercial stretch easier to recognize. Once inside the plaza, look for 168 Asian Mart’s supermarket frontage instead of searching for a standalone restaurant.

Use the marked shopping-plaza driveway and customer parking serving the stores. Enter the supermarket itself to reach the food hall inside.

You Get To Be The Chef At Mala Town

Control freaks, this one’s for you. Mala Town serves malatang, a Chinese hot pot style dish you customize yourself.

You choose the ingredients that go into your bowl. You also pick your spice level, which is a very important decision.

Mala is a famous Sichuan flavor known for heat and a tingly, numbing kick. Some people love it at full power, while others prefer a gentle nudge.

Not sure how brave you feel today? Start mild, because you can always go hotter next time.

Picking ingredients is half the fun. You might load up on vegetables, add some noodles, or toss in extra protein.

Every bowl turns out a little different. That makes Mala Town great for picky eaters who want exactly what they like, nothing more.

A cold drink from elsewhere in the food hall pairs nicely with a spicy bowl. Bubble tea is right there, so you won’t have to search far for relief.

Keep napkins handy, too. A spicy broth plus enthusiastic slurping can turn into a messy situation fast.

Noodles And Rolls Bring Japan To John R Road

Slow-simmered broth is the star at Oishi Ramen. The bowls also feature handmade noodles and chashu pork, a classic ramen topping.

Chashu is pork that’s braised and sliced. It sits on top of the noodles and soaks up all that rich broth.

Ramen makes a cozy pick on a chilly Michigan day. Let’s be honest, that covers a good chunk of the year.

Just a few steps away, Tabe Sushi handles the other half of Japan’s greatest hits. Sushi offers a lighter option when a big bowl of soup feels like too much.

Here’s a smart move for pairs. One person orders ramen, the other orders sushi, and you split everything down the middle.

That plan gives you warm and cool, hearty and fresh, all at one table. It’s basically a two-stop trip without leaving your seat.

Sushi first or ramen first? There’s no wrong answer, though hot broth does taste best before it cools down.

Either way, Oishi Ramen and Tabe Sushi make 168 Asian Mart feel like more than a grocery run. It feels like a little dinner adventure.

Save Room For Boba And Mango Pomelo Sago

Dessert gets serious attention in this food hall. Bubble tea, Chinese desserts, tofu pudding, and mango pomelo sago are all on offer.

Bubble tea needs little introduction these days. The chewy tapioca pearls turn a simple drink into something you can almost chew on.

Mango pomelo sago might be newer to you. It’s a Hong Kong dessert that mixes mango, pomelo citrus, and tiny sago pearls.

Tofu pudding is another classic worth trying. It’s soft and silky, which surprises people who only know tofu from stir-fries.

My tip is to plan dessert from the start. It’s easy to overdo it on dumplings and then stare sadly at the sweets.

A drink also works as a shopping buddy. Some people like sipping something sweet while exploring the aisles afterward.

Kids usually find this corner pretty exciting. Bright colors and fun textures make dessert feel like an event.

If you’re only stopping in for groceries, a boba is still a nice reward. You did just push a cart through 80,000 square feet, after all. That deserves a treat.

The Seafood Counter Comes With Swimming Fish

Yes, some of the fish are still swimming. The seafood and meat market at 168 Asian Mart features live fish in tanks.

Customers can pick out live seafood themselves. That’s about as fresh as a grocery store purchase can get.

Beyond the tanks, you’ll find a wide selection of fresh fish and seafood. Quality cuts of meat fill the counter, too.

In-house butchering is available, which is a big help. If you don’t want to break down a whole fish at home, you don’t have to.

Ask questions at the counter if you’re unsure what to buy. Telling staff how you plan to cook makes picking the right cut much easier.

Shop for seafood near the end of your visit. That keeps it cold and fresh while you browse everything else first.

A cooler bag in your car is a smart idea. It’s especially handy if you live farther away in Michigan and face a longer drive home.

Fair warning: a fish market does smell like a fish market. Consider it proof the seafood is the real deal.

Korean Radishes And Taiwanese Melons Steal The Produce Show

Kabocha squash, Chinese nagaimo, lychee, and king oyster mushrooms all show up in one department. The produce section reads like a world map in vegetable form.

You’ll also spot Korean radishes, Taiwanese melons, and fresh coconuts. Bok choy and purple eggplants keep things colorful.

Many of these items are hard to find at regular supermarkets. That’s exactly why home cooks make the trip.

Nagaimo is a type of yam with a crisp, slippery texture. Kabocha is a sweet Japanese squash that’s great for roasting or soups.

Fruit lovers have plenty to explore, too. Look for ya pear, fragrant pear, and Korean melon alongside the lychee.

Here’s a fun challenge for your visit. Pick one fruit or vegetable you’ve never tried and bring it home.

A quick online search will give you easy recipes for almost anything here. Soon you’ll be the friend who knows what a kabocha is.

Bring reusable bags with sturdy bottoms. Coconuts and melons are not small, and they don’t care about your flimsy plastic bag.

Aisles Of Snacks, Sauces, And A Bakery Worth The Detour

Thousands of products from East Asia line these shelves. Spices, sauces, snacks, noodles, rice, and pantry staples stretch on and on.

Soy sauce alone comes in many brands. You’ll also find ginkgo nuts, fried wheat gluten, Spam, and even Cheezee spread.

The frozen section adds dumplings, buns, and ice cream. Stocking up here means easy dinners for busy weeknights.

Then there’s the bakery. It offers fresh baked goods, including Asian breads, cakes, and pastries.

Asian bakery breads are often soft and fluffy. They make great breakfast or after-school snacks.

Craving something unusual? Frozen Thai golden durian sits in the freezer, waiting for the bravest shopper in your group.

Beyond food, the store stocks kitchen utensils, cookware, and home products. You could pick up dinner ingredients and the pot to cook them in.

Make a list before you go, but leave room for surprises. These aisles love to tempt you with something you didn’t know existed.

Budget extra time for this part of 168 Asian Mart. The snack shelves alone can eat up a surprising chunk of your afternoon.

A Former Mervyn’s Became Michigan’s Biggest Asian Grocery Stop

Retail history took a delicious turn on John R Road. The building that now holds 168 Asian Mart was once a Mervyn’s department store.

The 168 Asian Mart business got its start in 2010. This large Madison Heights location opened in 2015.

Over time, it grew from a smaller specialty store into a full supermarket. Today it covers 80,000 square feet, making it the largest Asian grocery store in Michigan.

You’ll find it at 32393 John R Road, Madison Heights, Michigan 48071. A large lot offers plenty of free parking, so you won’t circle forever.

The doors open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM. That schedule works for early shoppers and evening dinner crowds alike.

Plan for a longer visit than a normal grocery run. Between the food hall and the aisles, time moves fast in here.

The market also serves as a gathering space for Asian American home cooking in the region. It’s a place where favorite ingredients and new discoveries share the same cart.

Not bad for an old department store. Mervyn’s never sold dumplings this good.