In 2013 I was invited to a party. I needed something to bring some food contribution, and with little other choice (what else would I bring to a party? Casserole?) I decided to explore further afield in Los Angeles for better sources of durian.
This episode is brought to you now because Hawaii Supermarket now carries Musang King durian from Malaysia and, (And!) is having a sale on fresh, not frozen, durian from Thailand. If you’re in the L.A. area, go get yourself some goodness.
About San Gabriel
San Gabriel is, admittedly, rather far away from my Grandma’s house. Which is exactly what I wanted. When I was there, my Grandpa was pretty ill and I didn’t find much opportunity to get out of the house. This drives me nuts. I was in desperate need of an adventure. Hence San Gabriel.
San Gabriel is technically an independent city with about 40,000 people, but in the urban sprawl that is LA it’s hard to know where San Gabriel begins and ends. The city is attempting to market itself as a tourist attraction, but the only tourists who seem to believe them are Chinese tourists who don’t want to experiment with American food.
The area is like a Little Multi-Cultural Asia. As I drove closer to Hawaii Supermarket, the signs began to be in Chinese script. Within one block, I spotted a 99 Ranch, a 168 Supermarket, and Valley Supermarket, all enormous Asian chains.
But because I was short on time, I went with the one that’s name was most nonsensical: Hawaii Supermarket.
What does Hawaii have to do with Asian Food?
This was the first question I asked Chris, the nice staff member who answered my questions on the supermarket’s Facebook Page. He lol’d and said a lot of people ask that question, and there’s no specific answer.
If there is a good reason, it’s in the pretty amazing story behind Hawaii Supermarket. Here’s Chris:
“The story of the Yang family originated in Cambodia where the two owners, who are brothers, were born. In the late 1970’s, war and genocide had plagued the country and the family was forced to escape as refugees or stay and risk almost certain death. Most of the family were fortunate enough to flee to Vietnam and were finally given amnesty in France where they would stay for the next decade.
In Paris’ 13th quarter — Chinatown — the two brothers would start several successful restaurant businesses, one of which was called…you guessed it: Hawaii Restaurant.
After 10 successful years in the restaurant business in Paris, the family decided they wanted to pursue the American dream and relocate to the sunny shores of California, settling in LA in 1989. Hoping to bring their restaurant experience and savvy with them to the States, the Yangs reopened Hawaii Restaurant in Monterey Park.
However, after realizing the restaurant business in the States was not as lucrative as in Paris, they decided in 1991 to pursue a different venture and opened Hawaii Supermarket in San Gabriel. Twenty four years and two expansions later, the store has become a landmark for immigrants in the community new and old alike.”
And the name Hawaii?
Here’s Chris again:
People ask all the time and the owners have never really given a definite answer. They have mentioned that Hawaii is a symbol of paradise and their goals or realizing their American dreams are manifested in the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. Other accounts of the story paint Hawaii as the geological and cultural bridge between the East and West — serving as the midway point between the two continents. While the Supermarket is a microcosm of that bridge in the local community of San Gabriel Valley.
It could also be that they just named it that because they thought the name was catchy. Depends on who you ask I guess 😉
The emoticon is his.
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Photo courtesy of Chris: Fresh Durian at Hawaii Supermarket |
When to Find Fresh Durian
The day that I visited, I didn’t find any fresh durian. I wasn’t surprised — it was January.
I approached a young man sorting produce to ask when I could find fresh durian. “Don’t have,” he grunted, his eyes sliding from my face to the floor as he suddenly needed to march away. I couldn’t tell if he didn’t speak English or just didn’t want to. It was a great cultural moment.
So again I asked Chris, the friendly Facebook staff. Here’s what he says on the topic of fresh durian:
I was told by our store manager that we do try to carry fresh durian year round but due to supply issues (especially during the winter months) we are unable to always have it in stock. During the summer peak season, however there is usually more than ample supply and we are able to offer it on a more consistent basis. The price will vary based on the market conditions and availability throughout the year but it usually ranges between $7-13 per pound.
It turns out that they have Fresh Durian right now, and he sent me a picture. The durian looks pretty good — not too yellow, no cracking or mold spots. But I wonder (and this is my advice to you), if the durian looks a tad unripe. If you buy it, you might want to wait a few days to let it soften up.
As of right now (September, 2015), the Fresh Durian is $7.99/lb from P.O.K. Brand. Their website seems to be down, but they do have a Facebook.
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Musang King photo courtesy of Chris |
Musang King From Malaysia
Now this makes me really excited. I knew that Malaysian durian entered grocery stores on the East coast two years ago, but I hadn’t yet seen it for sale in Los Angeles. And here they are.
They’re even whole durians, not the vacuum-sealed box kind.
My opinion is that Musang King withstands the cell-poppage of being frozen much better than Monthong, which tends to get a bizarre, water-meet-rubber texture. Since Musang King is already a dry, dense durian, being frozen and then thawed doesn’t make it as watery.
Having Musang King available could revolutionize how Americans experience their first durian. For example, what if Buzzfeed had given people Musang King to try, instead of Monthong? I think it would have been a different kind of video.
Right now (September 2015) they cost $7.49/lb, about twice the price of a fresh one in Malaysia. And if you can’t stand the price, consider taking a Durian Trip to Malaysia.
The Saturday afternoon I visited Hawaii Supermarket was a madhouse. Parking took all the chess-like skills I learned from the game Traffic Jam as a child. It was packed, inside and outside the store.
Once inside, I realized that I was probably the only Caucasian person there. I squeezed around tiny Asian grannies pushing shopping carts piled high with dried fish parts. The store was huge and chaotic, with so many products that if I hadn’t been focused on just one item I would have gotten lost.
The durians I found right away in an open freezer section near the produce. As I examined them I felt eyebrows being raised in my direction.
The frozen durian was on sale for only $1.79/lb, so I bought three for the party. I didn’t see any fresh durian — but again, this was January.
I almost made it out with just my durians, but the produce section called me to explore further. I looked at my watch — I had a minute.
I ended up with this. Not too shabby for an afternoon’s adventure.
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My check-out from Hawaii Supermarket |
Here’s the price wrap-up as of September, 2015:
- Frozen Monthong From Thailand: US $2.59/lb or $5.70/kg
- Fresh, Not Frozen, Monthong From Thailand: 7.99/lb or $17.61/kg (that’s 637 Thai baht)
- Frozen Musang King From Malaysia: $7.49/lb or $16.51/kg (that’s 72 Malaysian RM)
* I have not and will not receive any payment in the form of cash or durian from Hawaii Supermarket.
How To Go To Hawaii Supermarket
Hawaii Supermarket is located off the I-10 Santa Monica Freeway in East Los Angeles.
Address: 120 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA
Telephone: +(626) 307-0062
The best way to contact them appears to be Facebook.
Jeremie says
I will be traveling to Los Angeles later this month. Do you know somewhere within walking distance of the Los Angeles Convention Center that would sell fresh durian? Would the China Town have some? Thank you!
[email protected] says
Hi Jeremie, have you checked the map on this post, Where to Find Durian in Los Angeles? http://www.yearofthedurian.com/2013/03/where-to-find-durian-in-los-angeles.html
Jeremie says
Hi Lindsay,
Thank you so much for your quick response. I have another question for you.. I live in Montreal and we can get the whole frozen durian for a reasonable price. I recently discovered in China Town a store that has fresh durian that is flown in by plane. They charge 8$ Canadian per pound, so a whole durian cost about 40-50$. This seems very expensive to me… Is this very over priced or it is normal when it’s imported to Canada to be this expensive? I really wanted to try a real fresh one.
[email protected] says
Hi Jeremie,
I’ve actually never had fresh durian in the US or Canada, but I’ve been quoted $6USD/lb, so $8 sounds right!
Why don’t you plan a trip to Hawaii or SE Asia for the durian season? Will be almost the same price by the time you get your fill 😉
Jeremie says
Hey Lindsay,
I am actually looking up that exact thing right now! 😛 looking into flight costs and things, and was looking at the package that you offer on your site for the durian festival. I ended up buying the fresh durian finally, but it didnt smell quite right to me… I wasnt sure it was fully ripe. Finally I waited another day then opened it, and my fears were correct. Not ripe, poor taste :(. A lot of money down the drain for something I didnt enjoy. I will contact you privately through your email address about your durian festival package!
[email protected] says
Too bad about the durian! I’ll look forward to your message.
David B. says
Now if only Uwajimaya or some other store will start selling something other than frozen Monthong in Seattle. Or even Vancouver, BC. I'd take a weekend trip to Vancouver to enjoy fresh durian in a heartbeat.
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi David, I imagine there's someone selling fresh durian in Vancouver — seems like the Canadians import a greater variety of fruits. I'll keep my eyes and ears out for clues! 🙂
suvro says
San Gabriel Valley Supermarket is even bigger than Hawaii Supermarket, and they have a large bin with durians. Don't know if they have all the varieties. I was there earlier this week to buy some Asian market only items (bitter melon, opo, ridge gourds, Red Boat Fish Sauce). Had I seen this posting, I would have checked their bin.
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Suvro,
Thanks for your comment — do you remember how much the durian was selling at Valley Supermarket? It would be cool to compare what's available.