The Great Markets of White Center: Hung Long Sieu Th! (White Center Supermarket)
9828 15th Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98106 (206) 768-8087
Hung Long
Of all the great Asian markets in White Center, Hung Long Sieu Th! is almost certainly my favorite. It is distinguished by being directly across from the White Center State Liquor Store. Some would see this as a convenience and others as a liability. That aside, this is almost certainly the most well-stocked Vietnamese market. This is a market in the truest sense of the word: stocking within its tightly knit quarters, all manner of fish and meat as well as a very nice selection of fruits and vegetables, some familiar, some not. The aisles are packed with sauces, spices and all the accoutrements for fine Asian (or in my case, Mexican) meal. Indeed, many of the patrons shopping at Hung Long are Latin American, although the overwhelming majority are Asian, attesting to the market’s authenticity. Most times, I am the only non-Asian at the check-out line, as Vietnamese is thrown around as the lingua franca.
Fresh Fish
My advice for any gringos wishing to venture to Hung Long is to explore and if confused, just ask, the staff are very friendly and more than willing to assist. Did I mention that the prices are incredibly modest. You could pack a bag of fruit for under $10.00. And the fruit would certainly be much nicer than the industrial brand you find at Safeway and other corporate stores.
Fresh meats and vegggies in a typically clean aisle
The seafood is invariably fresh. No need to trek to Pike Place Market to pick up some fresh crab or halibut. And you can get some nice black bean sauce to dress the dinner meal.
Fresh Crab
If you feel like noshing while shopping, Hung Long has a small Hong Kong style deli where you can pick up ribs, roast duck, hum bows or other tasty stews and barbeques.
Roast Duck
Fried Fish
My favorite quality of Hung Long is its authenticity. When I step into Hung Long, I am immediately transported to the wonderful markets of Chinatown in New York City or Hong Kong. This is the real deal, venture forth gastronomes and lovers of food. An awesome market, Hung Long.
Asian Drinks
Hong Kong Style Deli
Tags: Asian markets, White Center Markets
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May 24th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Great story Ricardo! Thanks for sharing this. This is a whole other side of White Center that many folks never see.
May 24th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Is this the shop in the same parking lot as the liquor store, or is it across 15th over by the roasted corn?
May 24th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I’m still trying to track down local injera, if anyone knows where it is to be had closer than Capitol Hill.
It was rumored that the international grocery store at the corner of Roxbury & 16th might carry it sometimes, but the young man at the counter said not. Lots of other good stuff, though!
May 24th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I love this-what a great idea. So few people dare to venture inside our great local stores-the pictures really help. I hope this brings much needed and deserved business to the community.
Can you do a new store each week?
May 24th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Thank you Kevin and Sarah. Sarah, the goal is to do, at least, one post on a different market per week. Despite similarities, they do have differences representing their cultural background. My hope is to cover every market, including the Halaal markets. It’s a tough assignment but somebody has to do it. ;)
Amy, this is indeed the market catty-corner to the roasted corn stand.
Julie, I don’t know think that Hung Long has injera but there are at least, 3 halaal stores in White Center. Almost certainly, one of them carries injera. For those unfamiliar, injera is like an African version of the Mexican flour tortilla.
Thanks for your attention. Please patronize the markets and give me your feedback. Do not be intimidated by the fact that you may be the only Caucasian in the store. Quite the contrary, take this as a badge of authenticity.
And, enjoy the wonderful and very modestly priced food!
May 25th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I love this market, have been shopping here for years. They’re one of the few places around that sell the tiny chicken wings, and I bought the best Gai Lan there a few days ago. As for the liquor store, I like to park on the street and not in the lot just in case…the parking’s pretty tight in there!
May 26th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I have taken my 10yr old there he likes to fish out the clams he makes a nice appetizer for the family Sunday Dinners steam clams with butter and garlic , YUM!
December 26th, 2011 at 5:45 am
I’ll stick to Safeway…This place has a long history of violations from King County Public Health inspections.
Unsanitary facilities, poor quality, adulterated with improper ingredients, the list goes on per King County Public Health website. Search restaurant inspections.