A Road Trip from Memory Lane

I recently took a vacation day from work. For some reason my internal clock is still a bit off, and I just needed a day of R&R(that would be rest and relaxation, not readin' and 'riting). In spite of the recent increase in fuel prices, the Missus & I decided to take a "road trip down memory lane". When we resided in LA, we had a Saturday ritual. Whenever I was in town, we'd start our day with a drive down to the Torrance Saturday Farmer's Market. I know I've posted on this before, in fact, more than once. But this Farmer's Market holds a special place in our heart; if only because we spent a good many Saturday mornings at the market.

On this morning, we made it to the market in record time. There was a significant lack of traffic. I'm  thinking it was combination of the heat, and gas prices. We arrived at about 845am, and the market was just starting to pick up. As always, there was a nice selection of a variety of fruits and vegetables. Because of the heat, all the "bug netting" was up.

With the heat and the bright sunlight, it seemed like it was already noon! We purchased a few items, walked the market, which is one of the largest in SoCal, and headed off to our next "regular stop".

On "memory road", our next stop was Marukai Gardena. And we arrived a bit after the 9am opening, and found primo parking. And though we spent a good amount of time walking the isles(and soaking up the A/C), the main reason we stopped here was to purchase fish. Even though, Marukai has opened in San Diego, one of areas where it is still deficient is with regards to fish. Though that could be said for Nijiya and Mitsuwa as well. Our little ice chest full of super fresh salmon, Karei, and Ahi, we headed on our way.

Marukai Gardena
1740 West Artesia Blvd
Gardena, CA 90248
Summer: Monday - Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. & Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

My previous post can be found here.

Our next usual stop would be East on the 91, North on the 710, and either getting out on Valley, or as today, East on the 10. Today we exited on Garfield, and ended up at the place we used to call the "center of LA's Chinese universe", the intersection of Garfield and Garvey.......this was circa the 90's of course, and much has changed since then. So where did we eat? Sorry folks, but that's future post. After not one, but two meals(hey, with gas prices, who knows when I'll be back....and leftovers are always welcome), we headed off "home". Not our current "Home" in San Diego, but our old stomping grounds, Rowland Heights. The Missus had a craving for her Shaved Ice from Shau Mei, and that's where we encountered a big surprise. While the Missus was enduring severely rude service at Shau Mei, I noticed this sign.

A bit curious, we entered Hong Kong Market, and this is what greeted us.

The produce section had been removed, and now consists of boxes of items being sold......inventory liquidation. The meat and frozen food section was "taped off". You can compare it to my previous post, here.

We were shocked, we hadn't heard that they were closing. Now over the years, I've endured some horrible service at Hong Kong Market, but we shopped here frequently, sometimes 4-5 times a week, when we lived in the area. It was within walking distance. The Missus called Her Dad, who shopped here often when they lived in the area.

I guess time had caught up with this rather run down and seedy market. But we had many memories of the place.

In spite of the horrid service, I'll miss the place. In keeping with the standard service at HK Market, the Missus went over to one of the cashiers who was standing around, and inquired about the closing. The young lady gave the Missus a dirty look, and in a nasty "it's none of your business" tone, told the Missus, "there is NO reason". You gotta love it, a final kick to the crotch!

We were still talking about the closing while I was prepping dinner.  Wondering what was taking its place, and what it meant to all the other businesses in the area. We had already noticed how much lighter traffic was in the area. It was the topic of conversation as we had a "memory lane" beat-the-heat dinner; Poke' 2 ways.

The Ogo from Marukai was lousy, but man that Ahi was super-fresh. It took us back to our old "Saturday Night" meals way back when. Time moves forward, but sometimes it's really nice to taste the past.

I hope everyone managed to keep cool this weekend. Tell me, what are your "eating trips down memory lane"?

Comments

[kat]

I wish we had farmer's markets here. I miss that about home (Hawaii). This poke looks so good.

[janfrederick]

Well, I'm sure the cashier will be able to find another business establishment to be rude at.

By the way, is there a good place for shave ice in San Diego? Where you can get red beans in it?

[Cathy]

JanFrederick-the soup area at 99Ranch (Kitty Corner from the steam trays-same seating area) makes shave ice. Across the street from 99Ranch store (Clairmont Mesa Blvd-same parking lot as Lolita's and Teri Cafe) has a Tea Station which also makes shave ice.

[foodhoe]

wow, I lived in Torrance back in 80-85, don't know if they had a farmers market back then... I've been to that Marukai and it is so much nicer than the Japanese markets we have around here too. That poke looks delicious.

[Sandy]

A couple of months ago, we went to the Bay Area for the weekend. I took my family on my eating trip down memory lane in Berkeley. We went to Blondie's Pizza, Top Dog, and Yogurt Park - standbys from my student days *cough, cough* years ago.

Your poke looks so yummy!

The service (or lack of) at Asian markets and restaurants always baffles me. Indifferent service is one thing, but downright rude or nasty?

[guest]

Hi Kirk, I've heard Hong Kong market is closing due to the high rent. With the reduced traffic and huge supermarket across the street, they simply can't make enough profit to cover the cost.

Keep up the good work. It is always nice to read about LA eateries from a fellow SDer (although most days I still consider LA home).

[Kirk]

Hi Kat - Nothing like the KDD Farmers Market!

Hi Jan - You can follow Cathy's instructions. We find the shave ice here in SD to not be very good.

Hi Cathy - I've got to take you for Taiwanese Shave Ice in the SGV.

Hi FH - Marukai Gardena can be a bit overwhelming....but it is a great place to shop.

Hi Sandy - That must have been fun. Tastes change, but those memories wwill always be there.

Hi G - Thanks! I can imagine business slowing after SF Super Market opened across the street.

[jeff c]

Kirk,I think I've told you most of mine. I'd start with hacienda hts,and get breakfast at imei or the other breakfast place on Hacienda blvd. Go over to fullerton and get pastries at I fu tang, go browse Tawa 99 market to see what stuff was around and then go over back to Hong Kong market and browse there. Go to down town chinatown and check out Wing Hop Fung and go to Empress Pavilion for a lite dim sum brunch. Then head over to Beard Papa in Atlantic blvd and have a lite cream puffs, decide on going to hot pot at little sheep, then head over to sichuan for latenight eating on Garfield. After that go to some of the hong kong style cafes that stay open 24 hrs and have syrupy sweet coffee and try some light snacks. Then if possible head to diamond bakery when they first open and buy some sweet fried butterflies to take home and have before collapsing in bed.

[Kirk]

Hi Jeffrey - Sounds like a really fun, calorie dense food trip.....perfect!