Six restaurants are hiding in the back of one Michigan grocery store, and one of them makes fresh Hong Kong-style dim sum to order. That’s not a typo, and it’s not a tiny snack counter either.
Behind the shelves of snacks and the tanks of live seafood, a full food hall serves malatang, ramen, sushi, and bubble tea. The store recently grew into a neighboring space, so there’s even more to wander now.
I like how a simple errand here can turn into dumplings without anyone planning it. I can’t imagine leaving with just a grocery bag and no steamed buns in hand.
Families who once came only for hard-to-find ingredients from home now have a real reason to linger past lunch. A kids play space and arcade even share the food hall.
Your Grocery List Is About To Get Seriously Sidetracked
Most supermarkets end at the frozen aisle and the checkout lanes. At 168 Asian Mart in Madison Heights, the back of the store opens into a full food hall.
The market sits in Oakland County, just north of Detroit, and it calls itself one of the largest Asian grocery stores in Michigan. That claim feels believable once you see how far the aisles stretch.
Shelves carry groceries from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. There’s fresh produce, live seafood, a bakery, kitchenware, and even a traditional Chinese medicine section.
Then comes the twist that gives the place its reputation. Six restaurant counters share one dining area, serving everything from dim sum to bubble tea.
I love that nobody has to choose between errands and eating here. You can load up a cart with rice and greens, then grab a tray of dumplings before heading home.
Madison Heights has become a busy crossroads for metro Detroit’s Asian communities. The market sits right in the middle of that story, and it’s a fun one to follow.
The store opens every morning at 9, though individual food counters may keep their own schedules. Either way, it’s an easy Saturday stop.
A Fujian Love Story That Grew Into A Metro Detroit Landmark
Ricky Dong and Cindy Wang both left China’s Fujian province for America, but not together. They met later in New York City, which feels like the right kind of plot twist.
The couple eventually moved to the Detroit area and opened 168 Asian Mart in 2015. Their goal was simple and deeply personal.
They wanted Asian families in Michigan to find the ingredients needed for the comfort dishes of home. That mission still shows in every aisle stacked with childhood snacks and pantry staples.
Cindy Wang has carried the vision forward since losing her husband in 2022. The market keeps growing, and its roots in family and community remain clear.
The biggest recent change came when the store expanded into the neighboring former Big Lots space. A grand opening for the finished expansion took place on March 20, 2026.
The result is a much roomier store, with wider aisles and a renovated food hall. Longtime shoppers who remember the tight original aisles now have far more room to roam.
Even better, the 168 name may soon travel west. A Grand Rapids location is in the works, which should make plenty of West Michigan cooks very happy.
The Dim Sum Counter That Turns A Quick Stop Into A Long Lunch
Steamed dumplings, fluffy char siu bao, siu mai, and silky rice noodle rolls all come from one busy counter. Cheng’s handles Hong Kong street food, and dim sum is its headline act.
Everything is made to order, which is exactly how dim sum should be. Good things in bamboo steamers are worth a short wait.
The menu also reaches beyond the classics. Shanghai-style chicken, fried dumplings, and soft Shanghai buns are on offer too.
Spring rolls bring the crunch if you want a contrast to all that steam. Mix and match a few plates, and lunch quickly becomes a tasting tour.
I believe dim sum is the perfect grocery-trip meal. Small plates mean you can share, sample, and still have room for a bakery bun later.
The ordering process is straightforward, so first-timers shouldn’t feel lost. Point, order, and find a seat in the dining area while your food is prepared.
Among all six counters, Cheng’s may be the one that turns casual shoppers into regular lunch guests. Dumplings at 168 Asian Mart are hard to walk past, and honestly, why try?
Spicy Malatang Or Silky Ramen? Good Luck Picking Just One
Build-your-own soup sounds like a small idea until you see the ingredient spread. Mala Town serves Chinese malatang, and you get to pick exactly what goes into the pot.
Choices include fresh vegetables, meats, tofu, and noodles. Everything is cooked in a signature spicy broth.
The heat level is adjustable, from mild to extreme. That’s good news for anyone whose spice tolerance stops well before tears.
Right nearby, Oishi Ramen takes a slower, cozier approach. Its broths are slow-simmered for depth, then paired with handmade noodles and tender chashu pork.
Tonkotsu Ramen and Miso Ramen lead the lineup. Both sound like exactly what a Michigan winter afternoon calls for.
Splitting a malatang bowl and a ramen bowl seems like a smart move for pairs. You get the fiery and the comforting in one sitting.
Having two soup counters under one roof might sound like overkill. Then January shows up in Madison Heights, and suddenly it feels like perfect planning.
Grab extra napkins and take your time with the broth. Nothing about either bowl is meant to be rushed, especially after a long morning of shopping.
Save Room, Because Sushi And Sweet Soups Are Waiting
Sushi inside a grocery store usually means a plastic clamshell from the cooler. At Tabe Sushi, itamae prepare fresh rolls and slices right at the counter.
The menu covers classic nigiri, sashimi, and creative specialty rolls. Poke bowls are available too, for anyone who likes their fish over rice.
Fresh fish is sourced daily, according to the food hall. That’s a nice detail when your sushi is made a few steps from a seafood department.
Then there’s dessert, and Yuan Yang takes it seriously. The counter makes Chinese and Asian sweets fresh every day.
Look for tong sui, the traditional sweet soups, along with silky tofu pudding. Bubble tea and fruit drinks round things out for anyone who prefers sipping to spooning.
One standout is the watermelon coconut milk drink with pandan jelly. It’s basically dessert in a cup, and it travels well through the aisles.
I can’t imagine a better way to cap off a dumpling lunch. A cold drink in hand makes browsing the snack aisle feel like a reward.
Sushi first, sweets second, groceries third. That order sounds about right.
Live Seafood Tanks And Pineapple Buns Steal The Spotlight
Stacks of aquariums line the seafood department, holding live fish and shellfish. Depending on the day, you might spot lobster, crabs, tilapia, conch, razor clams, or even geoduck.
There’s a bonus that surprises plenty of first-timers. The store can cook items bought from the meat and seafood counters.
The hot food area adds roast duck, barbecue meats, boxed meals, and stir-fry dishes. It’s a lifesaver for anyone who wants dinner handled tonight.
Over in the bakery, sweet and savory buns fill the cases. Pineapple buns, pork floss bread, chicken curry buns, and cheesecake are among the options.
After 8 p.m., the bakery has offered a buy-two-get-one deal. Promotions can change, so it’s worth confirming before you plan around it.
Produce brings its own fun, with Korean radishes, kabocha squash, lychee, and Taiwanese melons. Snack fans will find rows of Pocky, unusual Oreo flavors, and fruit-shaped ice cream.
Nonfood shelves stretch even further at 168 Asian Mart. Rice cookers, hot pots, tableware, beauty products, and Hello Kitty and Pokémon gifts all have their spots.
The store runs weekly sales, and a rewards program is available at the customer service desk. Frequent shoppers should ask about it.
Kids Get An Arcade, Grown-Ups Get Dumplings, Everyone Wins
Good luck getting younger shoppers excited about the produce section. Kidz Want changes that equation with a kids play space and arcade as part of the food hall lineup.
Parents can finally shop and eat without bribing anyone with candy at checkout. Well, maybe a little candy.
The renovated dining area is clean and organized, with room for families to spread out. It works for quick weekday lunches and slower weekend outings alike.
The prepared foods suit students and busy workers who skip cooking on weeknights. Home cooks get a pantry full of ingredients that can be tough to find elsewhere in Michigan.
Collectors have reasons to wander too. Blind boxes, plushies, and anime keychains share space with the snacks.
I like that the store welcomes curious newcomers and longtime shoppers in the same trip. Someone hunting a childhood snack can stand beside someone trying lychee for the first time.
The vibe is more Asian shopping center than fancy restaurant. That’s the charm, especially when a full afternoon slips by unnoticed.
Plan Your John R Road Trip Around Lunchtime, Then Stay Awhile
Getting there is simple for anyone in metro Detroit. 168 Asian Mart sits at 32393 John R Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071.
The market is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Food hall vendors may set different hours, so a quick check before a late visit can help.
Bakery treats and sale items can make a big haul surprisingly budget-friendly. Bringing a cooler is smart if live seafood or frozen treats are on your list.
Lunchtime is a smart window for a first visit. Eat first, then shop, so hunger doesn’t fill your cart with five kinds of chips.
Some shoppers drive in from across Michigan for ingredients they can’t find closer to home. The food hall simply gives them one more reason to linger.
So is it worth the drive? For a dim sum lunch, a sushi plate, and a cart full of discoveries, I believe the answer leans strongly toward yes.
Just leave room in the trunk and in your schedule. A quick grocery run here rarely stays quick.
