A-1 Oriental Market

A-1 Oriental Market in Albuquerque is a long-standing, locally beloved Asian grocery and food destination with nearly three decades serving the northeast side of the city. The market occupies a compact but packed storefront near Montgomery Blvd and San Pedro Dr, where shelves and coolers are stocked with a broad variety of Korean, Japanese, and other Asian ingredients and products.

Inside, visitors find refrigerated kimchi (including cucumber and napa cabbage styles) and a selection of chilled banchan-style side dishes alongside imported sauces, pastes like gochujang, noodles, rice, and specialty snacks. Customers praise the presence of unique or hard-to-find items such as roasted corn tea, enoki mushrooms, and other ingredients that support authentic Korean and pan-Asian cooking.

In addition to grocery aisles, A-1 Oriental Market features a café corner with prepared Korean and broader Asian dishes available for take-out on certain days, with regulars recommending items such as seafood and green onion pancakes, kimbap (Korean sushi rolls), and spicy soups that reflect traditional flavors.

Shoppers describe the store as clean, organized, and welcoming, with friendly staff and a community-oriented atmosphere. While the space feels smaller than large national supermarkets, the depth of inventory in its footprint and the combination of groceries plus ready-made dishes make A-1 a notable destination for local cooks and residents looking for authentic Asian foods.