nak's oriental market

all japanese grocery for residents and students there is the sacred heart school and menlo school and athert on resident mostly students and rigor ous study and residents of this area to be good customers

Nak's is a tiny little shop in Menlo Park, but they always seem to have whatever obscure ingredient a new recipe calls for.This is what I imagine shopping to have been like before chains. A nice guy behind the counter helps you find whatever it is you want. Oddly expansive selection of quality items. Small and friendly.

This is a tiny and quirky Asian market in downtown Menlo Park a mile or so fro Stanford. Last time I went in looking for Thai Bird Chilies (they usually have fresh) and found ripe and tasty rambuton fruit. In the big Asian markets, I can't always tell which are the best types of sauces/spices/etc. but at Nak's you can be confident that what is for sale is a good choice vetted by the owner's family.

In a small town like Menlo Park, there aren't too many places like Nak's, which makes it a really fun place to go. If you're looking for cooking ingredients, this is a great place to check out, and it's also a great place for little kids. They've got a bunch of unique candies and beverages that you won't find many other places. Even if you don't buy anything, it' still a fun place to check out.

I’ve been meaning to check out Nak’s...had read that they carry Hawaiian food & more. Such a surprise to find a wee little mom & pop’s asian store in Menlo Park. Nak’s is much closer for me than San Jose’s Japantown & they carry THE fresh made tofu from San Jose Tofu Company. (Da best ever.) There’s fresh fish for sashimi/sushi, fresh sprouts &....wait for it......a lovely selection of Dutch products! I purchased fresh “komatsuna” on my first visit. I had no idea what it was but from what I could understand from Ikie-san (speaking in part English, most in Japanese), it would enhance my udon soup that I was planning to make. Her husband, Seikichi -san, was very helpful - spelling out the name for me in Japanese & explaining some of the other items I was curious about. (Komatsuna turns out to be mustard spinach & was delicious in my udon recipe.) I also picked up the ingredients for cone sushi (inarizushi). I went back a week later to take advantage of the arrival of Hawaiian manapua & laulaus (flown in every other Thursday). Can I get better? Sure, if I convince my Hawaiian cousin to make ‘em for me. These were a satisfying quick fix - bringing back memories of family time in Kailua, HI. I’m envious of folks in Menlo Park that can just pop on in & get what’s needed for their evening’s meal. sigh* I will go to Nak’s over Ranch 99 any day (and today happens to be market day so I’ll be...at Nak’s.) A total gem! Arigatou gozaimasu Seikichi-san & Ikie-san!

I love this place! It is a funky, hole-in-the-wall neighborhood Asian market with a little bit of everything. It is my go-to place when I need ingredients, reasonably priced, for Asian cooking. The proprietor is very friendly and helpful.