If you love grocery shopping (or honestly just wandering around food stores like I do ๐ ), I found a spot in Duluth that you need to know about: Metro Chef Wholesale!
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The best way I can describe it?
It's like an Asian food Costcoโฆ but without needing a membership.
What is Metro Chef?
Metro Chef is a wholesale grocery + restaurant supply store that's open to the public.
So yeah, it's meant for restaurantsโฆ but regular people (like us) can just walk in and shop. The nice thing is they have both bulk items and regular-sized options, so you're not stuck buying something crazy like 20 napa cabbages at once lol.
Honestly, it has pretty much everything you'd find in a regular Asian supermarket - pantry staples, produce, meat, frozen foods - just with the option to buy bigger quantities if you want.
I actually went right before Lunar New Year, and it was perfect for grabbing ingredients for a full holiday meal (and finding some really good deals ๐).
And a lot of items come in multiple size options, so you can choose what makes sense for you. Obviously you'll save more if you buy in larger quantities, but you're not forced into it.
Anyway - no membership, no weird requirements. Just grab a cart and go.
Why It Feels Like an "Asian Costco"
The second you walk in, you'll see:
- Giant bags of rice
- Bulk soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili oil
- Big trays of meat and seafood
- Restaurant-size everything
If you cook Asian food a lot (like I do), this place is actually kinda dangerous lol.
You'll be like "oh this is a good deal" and suddenly you're leaving with a 25 lb bag of rice ๐
What You Can Find
Asian & International Ingredients!
They carry a mix of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese products, plus other international ingredients. You'll find sauces, noodles, frozen items, and pantry staples - pretty much everything you'd expect from a regular Asian supermarket.
Fresh Seafood
They also have a fresh and live seafood section, which makes it feel even more like a full grocery store and not just a bulk warehouse.
If you're cooking seafood dishes at home, this is actually a great place to check out.
Bulk + Regular Sizes
A big thing to know is that it's not all bulk.
A lot of items come in multiple sizes, such as veggies! So you can grab a normal amount or go big and save money. Obviously the larger sizes are more cost-effective, but you're not forced into buying huge quantities.
Restaurant Supply Section
I didn't really get anything from this section but they do have containers, kitchen tools, and other restaurant supplies. I can see myself maybe getting some stuff from here one day if I am hosting a large group of people though!
Who Should Go
This place is honestly perfect for:
- Home cooks (especially Asian cooking ๐)
- Food bloggers
- Small food businesses
- Anyone who loves a good food find
Or honestlyโฆ if you just enjoy grocery shopping as an activity (no judgment here lol)
My Thoughts
I love places like this because it feels like a hidden gem.
It's not super polished or trendy - but:
- Prices are good
- Selection is solid
- And it's just fun to explore
If you're around the Duluth area, I'd definitely check it out.
Final Thoughts
If you've ever wished Costco had more Asian ingredientsโฆ
This is basically your answer!
Got questions or comments? Drop them below!