Boo Han Market

I’ve been coming here for over 20 years. This was the first Asian market I remember going to, even before Paldo. While it’s a smaller store, it more than makes up for it with friendly staff and all the essential items you need for the home. I usually come here for items that are cheaper than at Paldo or H Mart, and the quality is still very good. Another big bonus is that it’s right next to Bon Bon Bakery, so I often go out of my way to stop here when I’m already planning a bakery run. I actually like that this location is smaller than some of the other markets because it makes for a quick and easy in and out shopping trip. The parking lot is smaller as well, but there’s always space available.

I believe empty shelves in a grocery store are fundamentally unacceptable. Furthermore, the cleanliness of the interior doesn’t compare to H Mart or Paldo Market. If you need to visit a Korean grocery store, I recommend choosing H Mart or Paldo Market instead.

everyone is truly very friendly here ❤️

We’ve been shopping here for 25 years, and the staff has always been friendly and helpful! This store has a lot of options. Even though it’s a Korean grocery store, they have a good variety of Japanese food, too.

Always prefer their meats over anywhere else. You get more for less and it taste good as well. My husband and I have gone here over Hmart for many years.

Support small, local grocers like Boo Han instead of big chains like H-mart

I enjoy a Korean store such as the Boo Han Market. I can find all the ingredients I need for the Korean recipes I enjoy.

Great the customer service was good the people are very friendly.

I liked the variety in this store ... a little of everything that basically every asian person would need and/or want. The store itself was very clean and the workers seemed nice! The best part for me was that it wasn't busy with lots of people!! Will be back!!

I love this place. Posting this is revealing one of my hidden gems. But they deserve the hype. Mid-sized grocery stories with all of your Korean ingredient needs. Some Japanese specialties, and a great variety of frozen sushi and unagi. My favorite tea cookies are priced at 5.99 per packs. Fresh veggies are plenty and affordably priced. Anyhow, big city quality, small town feel.

Lots of quality items & the selection is great! I went here instead of HMart on the recommendation of a friend that's lived in the area most his life. I made some amazing jajangmeyon the other night, and I'm suuuuper glad they stock the extra hot Golden Curry cubes. Will definitely revisit the next time I'm in the area!

Great Korean market with everything you could want! Big plus on the variety of Korean snacks and treats too

Great workers help you when they see you need it or you ask. The produce is fresh and the shelves are full. Meats beef and pork are thin sliced to thick, and there are many flavors on the shelves to add to each for the flavor your looking for. I have been going there since 2006 and have always had a great time shopping as well as working odd jobs. The prices on all items is reasonable. We bought a gallon of Soy Sauce for lower price than other stores. The rice is very reasonable as we buy big bags that last months. Such a good variety to see and choose from. The location in Lakewood is in a good and easy place to get to and into. Their other store in Edmonds is on ol Hwy 99 and too is easy to get to and have same or similar products. Id like to see more stores like this. We are not Asian but enjoy trying to make Asian foods, salads, soups and rice dishes as well as dishes for lunch at work and other.

Hi!! I wish you would also open a store in puyallup!!! I love this store! Amazing food. Good quality. Good price.

If rice in your daily diet then you cannot help, but to compare this place to H-Mart. If Boo Han Market fell in the King County Health Dept's jurisdiction I assure you I am willing to wager with a bookmaker that this place would receive a "okay" health rating. For those foreign to this health rating system it goes by "needs works" rating, "okay" rating, "good" rating and finally "excellent" rating. It is merely my personal option that Boo Han would fall under the "okay" rating category and that they ARE NOT rated as such. Yelp review reader it's up to you, but I'd rather go to H-Mart where it spacious, cleaner and wider selection. You try to tell these people that H-Mart is selling a particular item at this price and Boo Han staff tells you to go shop there in a rude manner.

It's funny how many locals around the area like this supermarket. I've been here about 5 or 6 times so far and never can find more than a handful of items to buy each time. This place is definitely not the kind of supermarket you will go to if you are looking to buy a week's worth of groceries. Their meat section is kind of butcher style and most of the meat is frozen. I bought a few seasoning packets that were on sale and took a tour around their Korean utensils and plates. I can see why this market can be exciting for a non-Korean person, but if you've been to an Hmart before, you can't help but to feel this place is really lacking and kind of dirty.

This is probably one of my favorite korean markets, this market was locally owned by Boo Han himself who first started this business location in 1990.. he then has started to give up ownership to his son Jae who plans to expand this building. Although it is a bit old there a few things here you'll find that are great, such as their kimbab in the back and the fruits.. TIP: some things may have an earlier expiration date and it's tagged. You should try to be cautious about this! I've read on here of many complaints of the customer service being cold but that is the way with ALL markets and markets as busy as this one.. most if not all are Korean speaking and know little to no English, I can't imagine trying to be any nicer in that situation. Either way I would brush that aside for the price of their items which ranges ($-$$) very affordable.

This is usually my go to market in Lakewood but I was so disappointed when I was checking out. The lady at the register was super cold... didn't even say a word to me. I assumed she couldn't speak English and didn't think I could speak Korean so I told her "Thank You" in Korean. She didn't budge. Just gave me a blank stare. Next time I come back and I see her I might have to comment to the owner about how rude she is.

My wife and I have been going to Boo Han Market in Lakewood ever since being stationed at Ft Lewis in 1985. Use to be a pleasant place to shop but over the past few months the personnel have become very snotty and rude. I hope the owner reads this as they should not tolerate them talking to customers the way they do. Seems every time we are there they are yelling at a customer. I was going to say I will not be going there (2hr drive) and go to Paldo just down the street but if they have a great sale in all honesty you have to go. Just don't go if you don't have too!

I love shopping here and now that I've shopped here long enough the staff tends to recognize me... helps I'm not Asian. Regardless, I like the less 'sterile' feel to the store, it feels far more like a true market. I seriously feel like I'm robbing them whenever I buy my vegetables. They're so absolutely cheap and good quality. I've never had a problem with any of the vegetables that I buy. Mushrooms out really great quality and so inexpensive! I do recall buying 6 bunches of green onions for 99c once and had no idea what I was going to do with them all but... 6 bunches! I loved them every day! Their meat department (beef) is small but good quality... the guys behind the counter are super nice and friendly... to me at least. I usually buy the bulgogi beef which is sold in bags and frozen. Usually a great price, too! I can get lost in this store, even if it's not nearly as big as Pal-do World, I definitely like it much better. My only dislike about this place is it isn't closer to my house.

Don't let the ambiance fool you. It's not shiny and newest store but they have the BEST pre-made Korean food in Tacoma. The pre-made food is all-the-way in the back left of the store. It tastes home-made like my momma made it... possibly even better but don't tell my momma... And I can't believe they're cheaper than paldo. Go in the mornings before they run out... I'm conflicted in sharing this because it's like my secret place. P.S. Only negative is that I once got caught buying their kim-chi by my uncle and he asked why I didn't get some home-made ones from my momma. FAIL.

Yeeeooowwww, my little Koreatown!!! This grocery market is a much smaller scale than the neighoring Paldo World but has been around longer and you can tell:) I can find what I need right away and their is always someone around available to help if you have a questions. It feels inviting and well like home. Some call it shabby and even depressing but I don't except my neighborhood Korean market to shine like a brand new supermarket, give me a break people! If you lucky, you can stubble upon a Costco like taste testing on the weekends, normally Sundays:) My daughter and I LOVE when we happen to stumble upon these events. I will continue to visit Boohan for my Korean needs, Paldo World just doesn't do it for me.

Hmm. It looks like a typical nice warm inviting Korean grocery store on the outside but on the inside it's sadly depressing. But, the product selection is what counts and it succeeds in all areas except for seafood. I wish they had fresh seafood. Everything is frozen which is kind of annoying but they have a few cool items like giant clams for $3.99/lb. The ladies who work here are also super nice and cute, we bought a bunch of sushi-looking stuff and one of them was talking to us about her favorite kinds of sushi. They were SOOOO cute! I want one of them to be my grandma!!

I've been going here for years. This store has very affordable pricing. The food they carry is good, but my favorite part is getting the bean paste/rice cake goodies by the register. There's plenty of parking.

I have been shopping here for years. They have everything you will need for the delicious Asian dishes you want to replicate - and at more reasonable prices than your local supermarket. I do miss the fresh tofu that used to be available in open containers. I reckon the Health Dept. put a stop to that. Today I bought 15 pounds of brown rice for ~70 cents/pound. I shop at Boo Han at least 1x per month. Vegetables are locally sourced, fresh and cheap.

Boohan market has been around for quite some time now. Its in a stripmall area located on south tacoma way. Parking is not a issue here. While some of its luster is gone, since it has lost some (many?) customers to the newly opened Pal-do World just down the street, I still make it a point to visit boohan market. You can get everything from slippers to brooms to plates and bowls. Also all the korean food items that you could ever want is located at Boohan. I love going back to the deli to see what items they have back there, they usually have items such as deep fried fish, kim-bop, and kimchi pancake. I used to stop there to pick up a quick item to eat before coming home.

Not one of the cleaner but they sell the b best kimchi brand in Tacoma that no where else sells: I think. Best purchased kimchi ever. Their pigs chokpal is on the cheaper side and you can depend on this place for a good deal when something is on sale, especially ramen. Produce is more low standard and meats are kept frozen and in a display case prepackaged. They are on the cheaper side for groceries because there are always so many deals. This is one of my have to spots.

Don't let their looks fool you. The place is old and worn, but not that bad. #1 reason to go- GREAT PRICES for Asian foods. Also, the few fresh vegetables have good prices- might have the cheapest green onion in Tacoma when in season. The workers speak a little English, but it's enough. Too bad almost no fresh fish- most are frozen. You'll find enough Asian foods here at good prices under one roof in Tacoma. They have the Asian sauces, spices, and condiments I need. This is in my TOP FIVE Asian Groceries/Markets in Pierce County.

This place was outstanding!!! I was looking for some Japanese wine to make some yum yum sauce and couldn't find it with the rest of the sake. The guy I asked for help knew just what I was talking about and led me to the correct aisle. He even helped me with the pronunciation of the product (mirin) I was after and recommended other things I could do with the product. He was helping another lost looking lady find something at the same time. Just a very nice and helpful employee that was very good at his job. I will go back to this store anytime I need ingredients I can't find at the Safeway!

I went in looking for fruit, tomatoes and bok choy, and unfortunately couldn't find the latter two and only had 4 choices of fruit (oranges, bananas, peaches and apples). They have a huge selection of packaged Korean goodies but the fresh produce is quite lacking. Broccoli that I looked through had mushy edges or some flowering portions. Rather disappointed with my grocery experience, though I did walk away with some matcha kit Kats as a consolation prize to myself.

A nice little Korean supermarket alternative to H-Mart, Hanahreum, and Lotte/Assi Plaza. It is conveniently located right off I-5 on South Tacoma Way. The typical Korean supermarkets that I am used to are very large and spacious with plenty of goodies to sample. However, the prices were reasonable considering I have no other alternative to purchase these kinds of comfort foods. Overall, it was a good experience as I was able to finally track down some good old comfort foods. This market will save me many trips to Seattle Chinatown.

Not my steelo. I rarely go here. It's a pity because their pan chan is pretty decent, but I can rarely get past the dingy feeling. The veggies are not fresh, etc, etc. Like many other Korean markets, they carry items beyond food.

Rude and disrespectful employees. The owner and cashier sat their and talk smack about me and father because we came in 20 mins before they closed.

Let's just say to me it's cheaper then H-Mart and a lot of authentic Korean products!

While a bit shabby, they beat Paldo World in pricing most of the time. If you are wanting to just walk around and see Asian stuff, go to Paldo world. If you are actually shopping, Boohan is the place.

When I need some authentic Korean food or items, I shop at Boohan Market. Although it looks unkempt inside, it is relatively clean as it's swept and mopped frequently. It has a variety of foods ranging from meats, veggies, spices, and snacks to beers. I rarely buy the veggies unless i really need them for making a dish, because they seem to be rotting on the shelves. I guess they leave them out for weeks until they hope they sell. Be sure to carefully open and check your fruits and veggies!! The pots, pans, and rice cookers are a bit expensive, but work well. There seem to be a lot if cheap plastic or rubbery shoes that really should be worn at/around home only. I go there mainly for the frozen clams, variety of fish, and the kimchi. Especially the oi kimchi -- that's cucumber kimchi. Yum!

We've been shopping with Boo Han since before they built the current building. Huge selection of Korean and other ethnic foods. Everyone's very helpful, except the one gentleman that's been working there for decades. I asked him a few months ago if they carry Nagoya Cracker Nuts. He came unglued and yelled, "No Japanese stuff here"!!!! Actually, they're made in the Philippines. Jeez, switch to decaf.

This evening, I visited the Boo Han market, and the cash register, an elderly woman was taking my orders. I was there to purchase a Korean melon, and I had very poor customer service with her. If this was the first time, I would have looked passed it, but it was not. This is the third time that I have received bad customer service from the same elderly woman. She would always snicker and overcharge me, making excuses for every time she would overcharge. Every single item I have purchased here was marked for sale, but for some reason, she would charge me extra every time with invalid reasonings to why, like the date. She would give me nasty faces, and raise her voice. Now let me get this clear, the majority of employees are great people. I don't know why, but it only seems to be her that acts like this to me. I have done absolutely nothing. I had no problem with her, I was never rude to her, but it seems she is acting very unprofessional towards me. I don't mean to put her on the spot, but I've seen her with other peoples purchases, Koreans to be exact, and she seems to be very kind towards them, but once I come to they counter, or other non Koreans, she would start to act very rude. That's just an observation I've made, and again, I'm not trying to blow this woman's cover, or hate on this market. I love this market, but I just thought it was very unexpected to have bad service, and getting overcharged, not knowing why. Also, not the first time with this woman. Just want to clear that also.

Excellent store! Great selection of imported foods with fair pricing. Store was clean, and staff was friendly! One of my favorite attributes is the sign in front. I have a deep respect and interest in artwork, and am fascinated with the intricate work in this advertisement. The sign stands out, and is a beautiful attribute to the skyline of this stretch of South Tacoma Way, that I would love to see stay here for generations to come! This is backed up by all the important attributes of a grocery store....price, selection, cleanliness and friendliness! A++ Bravo.

I been going to this store since i moved here in 94.They have the best Kimchi and a decent selection of Japanese food.

boo han, hands down over paldo world ! that's my opinion ! have no idea on all the korean & japanese items, but i can find thai sweet chili sauce, szechuan pepper, kecap manis, and nuoc mam, oh, and coffee candy from vietnam ! and the BEST gadgets & must haves for the kitchen. they have great sales that sell straight from the carton. its cluttered, infinitely browse-worthy, inexpensive & plenty of parking. they don't however have chinese pork buns.....

This review is coming from your average Caucasian who doesn't know anything about Asian food :) Came here for yakisoba noodles because Costco stopped selling them and they are so expensive at the grocery store. I can't believe the variety of noodles they have! Prices seemed decent, and everyone was very friendly. I'll definitely be back!

I love Boo Han! The prices are always great, and the food is always good. The cashier ladies are super sweet and funny! If you there in the morning you can sometimes score fried sweet potatoe and they always make gimbap. I've ordered some fried chicken and other foods from their kitchen, and I was really impressed. the store is very bare bones and if you're looking for something fancy, this isn't the place for you. They have a huge selection of everything and I like it alot better than those huge chain stores. I LOVE BOO HAN :)

Lately, the market is getting better w/ varity of products that I'm looking for. Good price!!! Lots of bargains.....

I moved to TriCites, WA just 3 months ago from Colorado Springs, CO and I haven't been able to find one single Korean grocery store OR Korean restaurant :( I travel once a month to Boo Han Market just to get my Korean grocery fix and eat in Korea-town afterward. The best Korean market by far and worth the 3.5 hour drive! ^_^

No one beats there rice prices and they have local cabbage, not imported from Mexico like the others.