Mike L.
Yelp
Despite how much I love Korean markets and constantly bemoan the fact that there are only a handful in SF (prior to the newly opened H-Mart, at least), I have to admit I'm awful at remembering that Woori Market even exists. In my defense, though, whenever I'm thinking of what's out this way, it's usually because I'm trying to think of a restaurant out here to go to, not places to pick up groceries at. And even when I do, Nijiya is always the first thing to come to mind. That said, you can be damn sure my memory kicked into overdrive as soon as I saw the line to get into Nijiya stretch into the Japantown parking lot! On an entirely unrelated note - why aren't there more Japanese markets in SF??
While I'm not entirely sure that Woori is the same market as the one I first visited here over a decade ago, it doesn't really matter - I'm just stoked that a Korean market still occupies the space (FWIW, it looks almost exactly the same as what I remember). On the surface, this place looks kind of modest, but they actually have nearly just as much to offer as most other Korean markets, albeit on a smaller scale. They may lack the same depth of options to choose from, but they still have all of the staples to offer - prepared foods (several types of kim bap, soups, cooked fish, dinner kits, kimchi fried rice, japchae, fried chicken wings, etc.), pre-packaged banchan items, frozen and marinated meats, fresh produce, instant noodles, frozen dumplings, sauces, alcohol, houseware goods, and so much more.
Sadly, since I was here to pick up a few specific items for my receipt, I can't really speak in great detail about most of what Woori has to offer nor was I able to try as many of the prepared items as I wanted to try. In particular, I wish I could've tried one of their soups and the fried chicken wings, but the two kimbaps I did get weren't bad. The one with pollack did nothing for me (it was flavorless), but the beef one was really good and the rice in both was terrific (very tender and sweet). As far as their prices go, based on the ten or so items I bought, they felt a little high compared to other markets, but that's not all that surprising, considering how this is more of a small, neighborhood market for those who live nearby.
Along those lines, for those of you who end up driving here, be aware that parking in the area can be challenging at times. As such, it can be pretty tempting to park in the nearby Safeway lot, but be very careful if you do, as they (Safeway management) can, and will, tow your car. For that reason (the parking situation, not the potential towing threat), it's unlikely Woori would ever become my go to Korean market - that distinction would go to Kukje (or possibly H-Mart, if their lines ever die down). However, if I'm already going to be nearby, I'd be more than happy to stop off to support such a gem!