One-stop Asian shopping
Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, September 5, 2001
By Janice Podsada
Herald Writer
EDMONDS — Miae Hong’s video store is Grand Central Station on Thursdays. That’s the day new episodes of the Korean soap opera "Helping Angels" become available, and with only 120 copies on the shelf, it’s first come, first served.
The checkout lines are getting longer at Hong’s video and the 14 other stores at the BooHan Plaza III on Highway 99 and 226th Street.
The 1-year-old mall is geared toward serving Snohomish County’s growing Asian population.
Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Fijians can find some of their favorite foods at the BooHan Oriental Market, just around the corner from Hong’s video store.
Korean customers can browse the mall’s bookstore, music and video store films, CDs or books from home, or pick up the latest copy of the Korean-language edition of Reader’s Digest.
"Bubble Tea," the plaza’s newest restaurant and teahouse opens in mid-September.
Travelers can haggle over fares at the Am-Pac Tour and Travel agency, which specializes in travel to Asia. And men can order a custom-fit, hand-tailored suit from Italian Custom Tailor, a Korean business.
There is even a furniture store at the mall, Han Mi, which carries a mix of Asian- and Italian-style furniture.
"Koreans like Italian food and Italian furniture," said Jay Han, 32, whose family owns the BooHan Plaza.
The first BooHan Plaza opened in Tacoma in 1990; a second opened in Federal Way four years later.
The family’s decision to begin construction of the mall two years ago was a natural choice, given the county’s growing Asian population.
At the time, the Hans had a hunch that the Asian community, in particular the Korean community, in the area was large enough to support an all-purpose mall. This year’s Census figures proved them right.
Over 34,748 Asian-Americans call the Snohomish County home, a 130 percent increase since 1990.
And in the last decade the Korean community, has moved north.
Korean families that once lived in North Seattle or Shoreline are settling in Lynnwood, Mill Creek or Everett, Han said.
In 1985, Han’s father opened his first Korean food store in Shoreline, a tiny mom-and-pop grocery no bigger than a check stand.
In the next 15 years, Han’s father had to move twice, each time to a larger store.
When 6,000 square feet wasn’t enough space, it was time to make the big move.
At 18,000 square feet, the BooHan Oriental Market, is the size of a Safeway. And it has a food selection customers won’t find at most grocery stores.
Grass Jelly Drink. Salted Duck Eggs. Miso Paste. Pickled Radishes. Basil Seed Drink. Green bean Popsicles
And gifts from Hello Kitty toasters to traditional Japanese dining tables that sit just eight inches off the floor.
At BooHan shoppers will find a whole aisle devoted to a selection of sea salts; another aisle stocked with different brands of soy sauce
Han, who works seven days a week, is always available to help customers pick the perfect taro root.
"Firm but not too wrinkled," he said tossing one of the cigar-colored tubers into the air.
Those outside the Asian community who shop at the store are split into two groups, the health conscious and the gastronomically adventuresome, Han said.
Jolene Christopher, who manages the International Student house at the University of Washington, ducked into the market for the first time last week. Students living at the house hail form Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia and Korea.
She shops for residents two or three times a week, she said. And a bargain is always appreciated.
"Prices are really good here," she said, sailing from one aisle to the next. "The tofu is a bargain.’
"This is great for exchange students, they’re working really hard. Having familiar foods is a real comfort," Christopher said.
You can call Herald Writer Janice Podsada at 425-339-3029 or send e-mail to podsada@heraldnet.com.
