Ann Arbor is well served with big, Asian-focused grocery stores, but it’s mostly lacked the smaller convenience-style stores which the Japanese call “conbini” and Koreans “pyeon uijeon.” Now, downtown Ann Arbor has one.
Tiffany Kim has opened Kanbu Asian Mart on Liberty. It’s a few doors east of Kanbu Sushi Downtown, which Kim took over in December. (Observer, May 2021)
Decorated with photos of K-Pop stars such as the best-selling girl group Black Pink, the mini-grocery features a cross section of Asian products, both for cooking meals and eating on the go.
There are salty and sweet snacks, instant soups, ramen and other types of noodles, sauces for Asian dishes, rice, and a refrigerator case that takes up a wall of the shop, with beverages and other items. It also stocks a few cosmetics.
Although pocket sized compared with other area Asian stores, Kanbu is within easy walking distance of campus and the new student high-rises.
Kanbu expands on the selection at the few places downtown that are quick stops for grocery items, such as CVS on State St. and the area’s 7-Elevens.
Kim said earlier that she was hoping to open sooner this year, but had to wait for shelving units and permits to arrive before the market could welcome customers.
Now, any downtowners with a hankering for a big bowl of instant seafood noodle soup, sweet potato snacks, chocolate dipped Pocky sticks, or strawberry-coated almond munchies has a place to find them.
Kanbu Asian Mart, 249 E. Liberty, (734) 773-3828. Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Closed Mon. kanbu-asian-mart. usiness.site
