Yin Xing Food

So in my search for Chianking vinegar I went to the Yin Xing food story on Clemente. It’s mostly produce with bottles and jars of various substances on the shelves behind the counter. I got into line with about 10 or so Chinese women, and for one of the few times in my life I felt conspicuously and uncomfortably tall (not to mention white, male, and English-​only). The two women behind the counter were friendly and efficient and soon enough I was up to them. I said, «I need black vinegar» (I had given up on finding the particular brand the recipe called for). The younger of the two women went and grabbed two bottles, but then the woman closer to my age grabbed a third bottle and they discussed the matter in Chinese. It took a minute and I could feel — maybe it was my imagination — the women behind me starting to get annoyed. Then she asked, «What for?» I said, «kung pao chicken recipe.» Then they discussed it further and settled on a bottle, with the older one pointing at one of the others saying with a smile, «Best for dumpling!» I was grateful for the agreement as I don’t know what I would have done with a split decision. Oh, and the vinegar worked great!

Good selection of high quality produce. Everything I bought from here was good.
Perhaps the best guava I’ve had in the U.S.
Bought: Japanese yam/​sweet potato, guava, gai lan hearts, korean pears, mandarins, taro root.
The quality of the produce really stood out, no need to search through the pile for good ones.
Stop by here on your way out from a restaurant nearby.
Unlike others, I did not notice hot food, may have been due to when I was there.

Yin Xing is your One Stop corner location that has everything and nothing at the same time. Where else can you buy lottery tickets, get a hot noodle bowl, and shop for groceries in a space of less that 900 square feet? They try to cover the whole enchilada here, which may be their problem. Some of their stuff rocks while other items are almost fresh.
What’s Cool? They sell a wide variety of fresh produce that competes awesomely with the neighboring larger markets. This week the May Wah on the next block had baby avocados for $.99 each while Yin Xing had them priced 4 for $ 1.00! Most, if not all of their prices are equal to slightly cheaper than other produce places on the street.
What’s not Cool? The produce here sits on boxes on the sidewalk and sometimes rolls into the street, is pecked at by birds, only to be put back on the shelf. Like other places, the veggies and fruits are man/​woman handled to the point of OCD! (I mean, after a while, it’s just a silly piece of bok choy that you’re freaking elbowing me for, sheez) That said, I wash everything I buy here at least 3x before eating it.
What’s Cool? The people who work here can be nice. There’s only a tiny, narrow line and 1 – 2 cash registers here. Inevitably, many of the «Old Country» Asians will ignore the line of people waiting to check out and try to drop their money on the counter ahead of everyone else. The person behind the register usually smiles, ignores them, and points to the next person in line!
So Yin Xing is respectfully decent and gives you a first hand experience of what it’s like to actually shop in Asia! Lunch? Rambutans? Phone card? Fresh tofu? You got it!

It’s typical Chinese groceries with hot food service. If you’re there for the hot food, try someplace else. The food did not taste freshly made. I think they make everything in bulk, refrigerate what’s not being served immediately, which is fine I guess but what I had tasted like they may have kept it a few days past it’s expiration date. I threw it away after a few bites. Why risk it??? Clement has a plethora of other food options.

This has to be the absolute worst place ever! I was in there today waiting to order witnessed the old man behind the counter Screaming and yelling at an elderly woman. He was yelling at her because she walked in with her dog but her dog had a service jacket on ie for the disabled or handicapped! I was in absolute disbelief! I felt so bad for the woman who tried to explain to him it was a service dog yet he was so enraged and aggressive he could refused to listen. I will never EVER purchase food from here again! On top of that there are plenty of better restaurants in the area. This place is inconsistent, flavorless and even stale some times. I believe they are serving 3 day old food anyway. This is what happens when you don’t go with your gut and just go somewhere else!!! Trust me not worth it!

DO NOT SHOP here. Was told to leave because of having to bring in my «Service Dog».

Cash only Yin Xing shares it’s space with two other businesses– a Vietnamese deli and a calling card stall. Yin Xing has been around for years and features high quality, mostly non-​organic produce with great prices. I like their baby bok choy and abundant mandarins (when in season.) Talking about seasons, if you shop ‘in-​season’ you will get some incredible deals here on mangos, papaya, mangosteens (still a bit pricey), lychees, and the list goes on. They also have an interesting assortment of century eggs (buyer beware) behind the counter as well as Chinese sausages which the cashier says will definitely «clog your heart.» Great service and convenient. Quite surprised I’m leaving the first review, in 2013 no less. :)