U & M Produce

Grocery shopping in Chinatown, Honolulu, Hawaii...My friend, Mrs. Wong, wanted to buy Won Bok (Chinese cabbage) to use as an ingredient in her Jai (Monk's Food - a vegetarian dish that's eaten especially at Lunar New Year). She kept saying that she wanted the "small kind". I have no idea why... Easier to cut up?We ended up at U & M Produce because she used to come here with her late husband (RIP Mr. Wong). U & M Produce is located on King Street where we had parked for free on an early Sunday morning.Mrs. Wong found a pre-packaged bag of three Chinese cabbage and was really happy. She paid cash because it was a reasonable price. The cashier was very nice and let me take a photo of the cabbages on the scale. LOL!The store was so crowded - UHG! I didn't want to go inside. I just waited on the sidewalk! I'll go back and browse later...

When you go to certain produce stores in Chinatown, usually each one of them has something unique that others do not have, and U&M fits that bill.This store is located next to the Yat Tung Noodle Factory, across Oahu Market. The store doesn't have the brightest of lighting, but it's pretty well organized and you can tell it wants to showcase the produce. U&M offers a lot of vegetables, produce, and dry and packaged goods that you won't find at other stores. They also prepackaged a lot of its vegetables and even precut some of the big squashes or pineapples so customers don't need to purchase a giant size squash. The owner is a really nice man, and he picks up fresh produce almost everyday that's flown here directly from California. His staff are very hardworking and they're all friendly. You know, I've never asked him for U&M stands for. I just always think "you and me" lol. I'll ask him next time.

Every so often I am asked to get some fresh Chinese veggies to feed about 10 so for the best deals one will shop In Chinatown for fresh produce, rather than buying at your local supermarkets. I used to have a go to store in Kekaulike Market but that has changed. I once was sent on a mission to find Chinese mustard cabbage (GAI CHOY) but my regular store didn't have it. I went to a handful of places until I came across U & M Produce, where low and behold had the veggies I was searching for.While shopping at U & M I immediately noticed prices for many of the produce are cheaper than my go-to place. I stayed a little longer walking around to check their inventory out where they carry a large selection of produce.Since that initial shopping experience I have picked up bittermelon, lotus root, Chinese okra, broccoli and cauliflower, too. I also noticed that they also carry seasonal Chinese veggies from California, as indicated on their handwritten signs in Chinese.On a recent visit I also saw the prized Chinese pea shoots, which is highly sought by the ultimate Chinese foodies at a $$$ price. These are hard to find so expect to pay pretty pennies for these.In addition to the existing parking woes in Chinatown, this place can seem a bit disorganized. They have 2 cashiers and at times you wonder where the line starts as many will barge and make their way to the cashiers, despite you and others are waiting patiently to pay for your things.Also, be prepared to have the cashier scrutinize your money as there have been reports of counterfeit (as low as $5 bills) circulating in Chinatown.This store also accepts EBT cards but primarily is cash only. Cashiers speak minimal English but good enough to get by.2017 #50

U & M Produce is my "alternate Plan B" for fresh vegetables. The store is clean and air-conditioned. They offer Asian condiments, sauces and domestic or imported sausages (lup cheong). The prices are competitive with the other green grocers around but may even be slightly cheaper with some items.Service is fast but sometimes you'll have to "put up with" those old Asian women who squeeze their way in front of the line or push you with their pull carts. Cash only is the rule of thumb with these vendors.

I come here for the lup cheong or "lap xuong" as we Vietnamese call it. I used to stock up on these California Sausage Inc. brand whenever I'm visiting family in Santa Ana. I'm so stoked that I no longer have to beg friends and family to bring me back some. U & M Produce has ample amounts of them located to the left of the cashier area. You'll see it front and center as you enter the shop. Sure, other shops in Chinatown carries them, but theirs aren't as fresh as this place. Theirs are usually stale and brown-looking. Stick to U&M, they seem to get their lup cheong shipments in pretty regularly. Notice how red and bright these sausages are? Just as if I'd bought them straight from its shop in Westminster (where they're made fresh daily).http://bit.ly/1ymfdfkThere's two varieties:- Pork (red label)- Pork & chicken (blue label)I've cooked with both, they both taste similar, so it all comes down to is the preference of meat you want.They're pricey at $8 a pack, but it's well worth it once you bite into these savory tender sausages. There's a nice sweetness to it that you won't find in the other brands at your local asian marts (the same brownish links you sometimes see at Times or Safeway). Once you've tasted these, you'll be hooked.U & M is also my mom's go-to shop for affordable fresh produce. We just paid $10 for 2 massive lotus roots and 3 bag-fulls of gai lan and scallions. Scored!

I went around lunch time. It's crazy busy in there. I bought some curry paste, curry powder, Vietnamese coffee, and parsley. Great variety of foreign goodies.