This Pennsylvania Asian Market Is Packed With Roasted Duck, Steamed Buns, And Savory Dumplings

Copper thieves once pushed back the opening of this grocery store by several months.

That’s a rough start for a place now stocked with live crabs, geoduck, and whole roasted ducks.

The wait turned out to be worth it. The new building is about three times bigger than the original shop.

It holds 19 aisles, each marked with big bilingual signs. I like how that makes a giant store feel easy to explore.

This Pennsylvania market also has a hot food counter, a bakery with Asian-style buns, and bubble tea.

Hundreds of instant noodle varieties line the shelves. There’s even a full section built around hot pot ingredients.

I can’t imagine walking out with only what was on my list. So how does a family’s craving for hometown food turn into one of the biggest Asian markets around?

A Family Craving For Hometown Food Started Everything

Homesickness can be a powerful business plan.

Many More Marketplace exists because siblings Xianfang and Xianhui Chen wanted the flavors they grew up with.

The Chens come from Fujian Province in southeastern China. Their family moved to Ohio about two decades ago.

Xianfang Chen handles purchasing for the store. She has said that wanting hometown food in Pittsburgh was a big reason they opened it.

The first version opened on Smallman Street in late 2013. It started small and faced a real challenge early on.

Many suppliers already worked with other Asian grocers in the area. Getting a foot in the door wasn’t easy for a newcomer.

The family kept at it and slowly built a strong reputation. Over time, they formed supplier relationships around the world.

That steady effort paid off in a big way. The business grew into both a retail store and a wholesale operation.

I believe that backstory makes every aisle more interesting. You’re shopping inside one family’s very personal food map.

It also explains why the shelves feel so packed with specific, hard-to-find items. Somebody here clearly cared about getting it right.

Thieves Couldn’t Stop This Grand Move Down Liberty Avenue

Moving a grocery store is hard enough without someone stealing the copper.

That’s exactly what happened during the big relocation. An opening planned for October 2023 got delayed by several months.

Thieves had taken copper and other materials from the building.

The store eventually welcomed shoppers at its new location with a limited soft opening on June 15, 2024.

Early shoppers saw a work in progress. Refrigeration problems meant some chilled and frozen goods weren’t available yet, and the food court remained closed during the initial opening.

Patience paid off, though. The new space is at least three times bigger than the old Smallman Street store.

The new location sits just minutes from the original. The old shop shifted toward wholesale, while this one welcomes everyday shoppers.

So the Liberty Avenue building represents a serious leap forward. It’s the result of years of growth and one very frustrating setback.

I like that the story has a stubborn streak. A few missing pipes clearly weren’t going to stop this family.

Now Pennsylvania shoppers get the payoff. The finished store is roomy, bright, and stocked from front to back.

Nineteen Aisles And Not One Of Them Is Boring

Nineteen aisles sounds like a workout. Luckily, big bilingual signs hang over each one, so you won’t need a compass.

The layout is clean, spacious, and well organized. High ceilings and bright lighting make the whole place feel open.

That matters in a store this size. You can wander without feeling lost, even if the selection is enormous.

The shelves cover Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cooking, along with other Asian cuisines. Rice and noodles show up in impressive variety.

Bulk rice comes in several types. Large packs of dry noodles make this a smart stop for stocking up.

Then come the snacks, condiments, and specialty ingredients. Many are tough to track down at a regular supermarket.

A handy tip helps here. Give yourself time to explore, because the right sauce might hide two aisles from where you expected.

Some shoppers may find it a little overwhelming at first. Once the layout clicks, browsing becomes half the fun.

Bring a list, but don’t be too loyal to it. Something unfamiliar will almost certainly sneak into your cart.

Roasted Duck Is The Reason To Check The Hot Food Counter First

Whole roasted ducks hang ready to go here. That alone could fix dinner for the whole family.

The hot food section also offers whole pre-cooked chickens. Chinese barbecue sits nearby for anyone who wants more variety.

A deli counter and food court round out the setup. You can grab something to take home or eat in the dining area.

Noodle soups are a big part of the lineup. The deli in the back makes Chinese noodle dishes, including beef noodle soup and Dan Dan noodles.

That turns a grocery run into a lunch break. Honestly, that’s a pretty good trade for pushing a cart around.

Here’s my practical advice. Shop after you eat, or that hot food counter may win every argument.

Duck makes an easy centerpiece for a busy weeknight. Add rice and a vegetable, and you’ve basically solved dinner.

It also works for parties and family gatherings. A whole duck on the table always looks like serious effort.

Nobody has to know you picked it up between the noodle aisle and checkout.

Buns, Breads, And A Flaky Surprise In The Bakery

Soft, puffy, and easy to grab, the bakery buns are dangerous for anyone with weak willpower.

They’re packaged for quick shopping. The bakery section focuses on Asian-style breads and buns.

It’s a nice change from the usual grocery store loaves.

Fans of rougamou bread have spotted it here. That flaky flatbread is often used for a famous Chinese street food sandwich.

Finding it in Pittsburgh can be tricky. So seeing it on these shelves feels like a small win.

The grab-and-go setup makes snacking simple. Pick up a couple of buns for the ride home, and maybe a few extra for later.

Buns also make great school lunch add-ins. They travel well and feel like a treat.

Try pairing something from the bakery with bubble tea. The market serves it, so your snack break is basically planned.

I like how the bakery gives the store a cozy, everyday side. Not every stop has to be a big cooking project.

Sometimes the best purchase is a warm-looking bun and five quiet minutes.

Your Freezer Will Thank You For The Dumpling Haul

Dumplings might be the most reliable weeknight hero ever invented.

The frozen aisles here stock them from popular brands. Keeping a bag or two at home is a smart move.

They cook fast and please almost everyone at the table.

The freezers hold other fun finds too. Crispy mozzarella fish-cake corn dogs are ready to heat for an easy snack.

Vacuum-sealed frozen proteins fill plenty of space as well. Options range from tiny pea crabs to big cuts of beef.

Hot pot fans get their own entire section. It’s packed with ingredients built for that bubbling, share-everything meal.

Noodles deserve a mention here. The store carries fresh and dried noodles, plus hundreds of instant noodle varieties from around the world.

Pair dumplings with a pack of noodles and some greens. You’ll have a soup that looks way fancier than the effort it took.

A cooler bag is a great idea for the trip home. Frozen goods stay happier that way.

Your future hungry self will appreciate the planning.

Live Crabs, Geoduck, And A Seafood Counter Worth Gawking At

Geoduck is one of the strangest-looking shellfish on the planet.

Seeing it in a Pennsylvania grocery store feels a little unexpected. Many More Marketplace is known for fresh seafood.

Live crabs, live fish, and other shellfish fill the department.

Seasonal specialties travel a long way to get here. Spot prawns and geoduck are sourced from as far as Seattle.

Shoppers have also spotted king crab, eel, and frogs among the live offerings. Pompano has turned up too, which can be hard to find locally.

Kids will probably want to stare at the tanks for a while. Honestly, adults might too.

For home cooks, this counter opens up new recipes. Steamed whole fish or crab night becomes a real option.

A helpful tip is to plan seafood as your last stop. That keeps it fresh while you finish shopping.

Ask questions if you’re unsure how to cook something. Trying a new fish is easier with a starting point.

This is where the store feels most like an adventure.

Fresh Produce, A Real Butcher, And Even Frozen Pizza

Bananas come in more than one style here.

The produce section carries some less common banana types alongside plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Fresh produce is one of the most talked-about parts of the store. The range goes well beyond a standard supermarket.

An in-house butcher offers a cross-cultural selection of meats. Organ meats are part of the lineup for adventurous cooks.

That’s useful for recipes that call for specific cuts. You won’t need to hunt across town.

Surprisingly, the store also covers Western basics. Frozen pizza, ice cream, milk, cheese, bread, and baking supplies are all here.

So one trip can actually handle the whole week. That’s a big deal for busy families.

I believe that mix makes the market feel welcoming to everyone. You can buy lotus root and a gallon of milk together.

Empty boxes are often available at checkout for packing groceries. Bringing your own bags still helps.

Card payments may have a minimum, so carrying a little cash for small purchases is smart.

Plan Your Strip District Trip Around Parking And Bubble Tea

Location is a big bonus here. Many More Marketplace sits at 2767 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, in the lively Strip District.

The neighborhood started as an industrial hub and wholesale produce market. Today it’s famous for international groceries, specialty shops, and great food.

That makes this market a perfect anchor for a food-filled day. You can explore the area before or after loading up your trunk.

Parking is easier than at many city stores. Two lots serve shoppers, a small one off Liberty and a larger one off Penn.

Street parking is available too. Spaces can get tight during peak hours, so timing matters.

The store is open daily, although published listings differ on whether it opens at 9:30 AM or 10 AM.

Closing time is generally listed as 8:30 PM Sunday through Thursday and 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Check the latest hours before visiting.

Spotless restrooms are a nice perk during a long shopping trip. Small details like that make a big store easier to enjoy.

Grab a bubble tea before heading out. It’s the sweetest way to wrap up a Pennsylvania grocery adventure.

Just leave room in the car for that duck.