Live Seafood And Rare Vegetables Fill This Giant Michigan Asian Supermarket

Geoduck, razor clams, and live conch are swimming in tanks at a Michigan grocery store. You can buy them, and then have them cooked right there. That alone had me rethinking my weekly shopping list.

The store grew to roughly 80,000 square feet after swallowing a neighboring discount shop. That makes it one of the biggest Asian supermarkets in the state. I like how the aisles stretch from Korean radishes to Taiwanese melons without a pause.

There’s also a bakery with pineapple custard buns and roast duck from the meat counter. A brand-new food hall now serves dim sum, ramen, and malatang under the same roof. I can’t imagine leaving with only what was on the list.

So how does a grocery run turn into a full afternoon? The answer starts at the fish tanks.

Your Produce Drawer Is About To Get Way More Interesting

Kabocha squash sits near Korean radishes, and the bok choy keeps going for what feels like miles. The produce section here leans hard into Asian varieties you rarely find at a standard chain store.

Chinese nagaimo, a long and slightly fuzzy yam, shows up alongside king oyster mushrooms. Purple eggplants add color, while fresh coconuts look ready for a straw.

Fruit fans get plenty too. Lychee, Taiwanese melons, and several kinds of Korean pears make the fruit tables feel like a tasting trip.

So what should you actually do with all this? Start with one new item each visit instead of grabbing ten mystery vegetables at once.

Kabocha is an easy win because it roasts beautifully and tastes sweet. King oyster mushrooms are another friendly pick, since they slice and sear like a dream.

Korean pears make great snacks for kids who think pears are boring. Their crisp bite might change some minds.

Bring a reusable bag with structure, too. Coconuts and big squash don’t love flimsy plastic, and your arms will thank you on the way to the car.

John R Road Leads Into A Grocery Wonderland

168 Asian Mart is at 32393 John R Road in Madison Heights, Michigan. Follow John R Road north of Interstate 696 into the city’s busy retail district.

The large supermarket storefront is the key arrival clue, with a full-sized grocery space rather than a tiny specialty shop. Look for the 168 Asian Mart sign along John R Road.

Turn into the market’s customer parking area and enter the main grocery doors. Live seafood availability changes, so check the tanks or ask the seafood counter staff about particular items before making a special trip.

The Size Of This Place Takes A Minute To Process

Eighty thousand square feet. That’s the estimated size of 168 Asian Mart after it expanded into a neighboring former Big Lots space.

The store first opened in 2015 in a space of roughly 30,000 to 38,000 square feet. Growing that much makes it one of Michigan’s largest Asian grocery stores today.

Bigger aisles mean more breathing room when you’re comparing noodle brands. They also mean more ground to cover, so wear comfortable shoes.

A smart plan helps. Start with dry goods and household items, then finish with seafood, meat, and frozen foods so everything stays cold.

Give yourself extra time on a first trip. A quick stop can easily stretch once you notice the snack aisles and kitchen gear.

You’ll find the store at 32393 John R Road in Madison Heights, Michigan 48071. It’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., which makes evening runs easy.

The large lot offers plenty of free parking. That’s a welcome perk when your cart ends up heavier than you planned, which seems likely here.

Grab A Tray Because The Food Hall Means Business

Shopping on an empty stomach is risky. Luckily, a food hall opened here in March 2026, and it solves that problem quickly.

Vendors serve Asian street food from Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean kitchens. That’s a lot of choices before you’ve even grabbed a cart.

Cheng’s handles Hong Kong-style dim sum, perfect for sharing small plates. Mala Town serves Chinese malatang, a build-your-own hot pot bowl with plenty of personality.

Ramen lovers can head to Oishi Ramen for Japanese noodle bowls. Families with picky eaters will appreciate having several cuisines in one spot.

Timing matters here. Eat first, then shop, and you’re less likely to toss five bags of chips in your cart out of pure hunger.

The food hall also turns a grocery errand into a casual meet-up. Friends can split dumplings, then wander off to find their favorite sauces.

Try something unfamiliar if you’re feeling brave. Malatang is a fun starting point, since you choose your own ingredients and control the adventure from the very first scoop.

Whole Pigs On Wednesdays? Yes, Really

Few grocery stores in Michigan put whole pigs on the schedule. At 168 Asian Mart, they show up on Wednesdays and Fridays, a service unique in the state.

That’s big news for family celebrations or anyone planning a serious roast. It’s also a sign of how seriously this meat counter takes Asian butcher traditions.

Roasted duck is another star here. It’s a handy option when you want something impressive for dinner without hours of cooking.

Beyond those headliners, the meat market offers fresh meats, premium cuts, and marinated options. Asian butcher specialties fill in the cuts that typical supermarkets often skip.

Marinated meats are a great shortcut on busy weeknights. Toss them in a pan, add rice, and dinner feels far fancier than the effort.

Planning a whole pig purchase? Check with the store ahead of time so you know what to expect and how to transport it.

Bring a cooler for any trip that includes meat. Madison Heights summers get warm, and a roast duck deserves better than a hot trunk ride home.

Pineapple Custard Buns Make A Strong First Impression

Fair warning: the bakery sits close enough to tempt you before checkout. Its shelves hold Asian breads, cakes, and pastries baked in-house.

Pineapple custard buns are a popular pick. Despite the name, pineapple buns get their title from the crackly golden top that looks like the fruit’s skin.

That fun fact makes them a great treat to share with curious kids. They’ll want to know where the pineapple is hiding.

Asian-style breads tend to be soft and fluffy, which makes them great for breakfast or lunchboxes. Cakes here can add a cheerful touch to birthdays or weekend gatherings.

My tip is to buy a mix. Grab one familiar treat and one you can’t pronounce yet, then compare notes at home.

Baked goods also make easy gifts for coworkers or neighbors. A box of buns tends to get a warmer welcome than another bag of grocery store cookies.

Just plan for the car ride. These pastries smell so good that a few might mysteriously vanish before you reach the driveway, and nobody will admit a thing.

Snack Aisles Here Could Fill A Whole Afternoon

Thousands of products from East Asia line the shelves. Spices, sauces, noodles, drinks, and snacks stack up in every direction.

The pantry staples alone could restock a home kitchen. Rice, cooking sauces, and seasonings make it easier to recreate restaurant dishes on a normal Tuesday.

Then comes the frozen section, which is a real treasure for busy families. Dumplings, buns, and ice cream fill the freezers with quick meals and sweet rewards.

Frozen dumplings might be the best weeknight hero ever invented. Boil, steam, or pan-fry them, and dinner lands in about the time it takes to set the table.

Snack hunters should budget extra minutes. With so many flavors and brands, picking just one bag becomes a delightful challenge.

Here’s a smart move. Take a photo of products you love so you can find them again next visit without wandering every aisle.

Sauces are worth exploring slowly, too. One new bottle can upgrade simple rice or noodles, and that’s a low-risk way to try something new at home.

Rice Cookers And Cute Gifts Share The Spotlight

Groceries are only part of the story. 168 Asian Mart also stocks kitchenware, home decor, gifts, and lifestyle essentials.

That makes it handy when your new recipe needs a tool you don’t own. A steamer basket or new bowls can make home cooking feel more authentic.

The home goods section is also a smart stop for gift shopping. Unique decor and lifestyle items make thoughtful presents for friends who love Asian culture.

Students setting up a first apartment might find this area especially helpful. Kitchen basics and groceries in one trip saves time and gas money.

There’s an online shop connected to the store as well. That’s useful if you spot something you love but can’t carry it home today.

A little planning goes far here. Write down the dishes you want to cook, then check whether you need any special pots or utensils.

Honestly, this section might be where the cart quietly fills up. One cute mug turns into a set, and suddenly your kitchen has a fresh new look you never planned on.

A Family Story Sits Behind That Lucky Number

The number 168 represents prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture. That cheerful meaning fits a store built on years of hard work.

Founders Cindy Wang and her late husband, Ricky Dong, immigrated from Fujian province in China. Before this market, they ran Fuji Market for about 20 years.

Their 168 Group, established in 2010, now runs several Madison Heights businesses. Lao Pot, Fuji Buffet, and 168 Crab and Karaoke are part of that family.

Cindy Wang also started the Ricky Dong Foundation. The nonprofit helps families with food assistance, honoring her husband’s memory in a meaningful way.

Knowing that history adds warmth to a simple grocery run. Your shopping supports a local family business with deep roots in Michigan.

The market also serves as a major resource for Asian American home cooking in metro Detroit. It draws a wide mix of shoppers who share one goal: good food.

So next time you see that 168 sign, smile a little. It’s a lucky number with a real story, and a giant store full of reasons to come back.