Marina Food Market - San Mateo, California

Coach Michael

I used to live near Foster City, so it's been quite a while since I visited this particular Marina Market. While seeing my doctor at the San Mateo Hospital, I swung by this location hoping to pick up some Asian groceries.

Most items are pretty much standard amongst most Asian supermarket chains (Ranch 99 or Hankook), however, when I strolled by their Deli Counter, I nearly couldn't believe my own eyes - an ENTIRE Roast Duck for $22.99‼️‼️‼️ Roast Duck prices have skyrocketed in recent years, whether it's Peking Duck or Roast Duck, the same roast ducks are $27.99 for HALF Duck, here you get the WHOLE duck for less! This is an incredible price, I hope this is their regular prices; if so, I'd come every other week? The lady behind the Deli Counter was also super nice, but unfortunately, unlike Ranch 99, where I could ask for some dipping sauces, the dripping & the duck marinade which are super flavorful; especially when added on top of a rice plate. But, fortunately, Marina Market's roast ducks are way juicier than the Ranch 99 counterpart (which tend to be much dryer & need additional sauces to give some flavors). I HIGHLY recommend coming here just to get their Roast Ducks, it pays for the trip?
Additionally, I was also able to get some 6-oz tofus for mere $1.29/ec, which cost at least $1.69. I also picked up some yummy Taiwanese can goods of gumminess

In summary, if you are not interested in the roast ducks, then any Asian supermarkets would do; however, if you love some delicious roast ducks, it's well worth your while

J L

The produce section has the freshest greens in the area, chrysanthemum greens, bok choy, a choy, giant pea sprouts, Napa and more. If you don't know what you're doing, buy something tender looking, stir fry in hot oil, and lightly salt it. If you don't like it, add a sauce (in my experience oyster sauce fixes everything, my husband likes chili oil)

Great hot food counter if you don't feel like cooking. The roast duck, and the squid are my favorites. The kids always want the roast peanuts

Wei-Ai Tai

Chinese grocery store that offers a wide selection of vegetables, live and packaged seafood, meats, hot cooked foods, canned goods, and household items. Dated and dark interior, but overall good value. Parking lot can be difficult to maneuver, as parking spots are small and weekend crowds makes driving a challenge.

Jason Leung

Your neighborhood shop to pickup those last minute shopping items to fill your pantry. Produce and meat department has good variety, but doesn't seem to be of best quality.
The store is poorly lit and in desperate need of a facelift. It's not welcoming and some shelf items looks like it's been there for awhile.

Paula Seba

Good for Asian food. But be aware of the expiration date of the products. It is not a nice place to shop because it is not very clean and does not smell so good. Must be because it has an aquarium with fish, lobsters, shrimps, live crabs. Looking like that does not make you want to eat, the aquariums are too dirty. There are other better places to buy fish.

Katherine T

Visited Marina today around 4:00 PM. One of the butchers in the back "accidentally" sprayed me with a hose while he was hosing down the back even though I was standing about 10 feet away from the meat display. When I gave him a look, he gave me a super creepy smile and went "Sorry" in the most insincere way possible. The Asian ladies working the registers are usually very sweet, but the trash people they hire in the butcher section are creepy and make my shopping experience very unenjoyable.

Bunny M

This one star is particularly given to the lady works at the food court.
Every single time I went there she has an altitude issue.
Last time I was there, I told her I want a box to go. I was thinking about what to order for entrees, and she said “ if you want to order order now, if not, go away. We’re closing!”. This is the most horrible experience I have ever had!!!
Today, I’m the first one in the line. I want to order some chicken thigh but I see some chicken wings come out so I asked her :”How much is the chicken wing”. She walked away and said someone else will help you. The Mexican guy come out, but he doesn’t speak any English. So she came back and I ordered a pound of chicken wings , and I still want to order more. Without saying a word, she asked the second customer in line to order. I’m halfway done with my order and she request me to pay first. I declined. So she took the other customer all the way to the other side of the counter to pay.
It would just make more sense if she focused on helping one customer at a time. The way she does her job make it confusing and inconvenient for every customer.

The Mexican guy there was putting ice every time he was smiling. But he doesn’t speak that much English.
I understand the owner want to save money, but this is not helping the business at all.

Lorenzo Tanada

If you can't find certain Asian cooking ingredients in the regular big chain groceries near you then come here. I was looking for gyōza sauce and could not find it anywhere until I went here. They offer Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian, Filipino, Thai, Indonesian, Indian, and more cuisine selections.