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November 2023 by Rin H
It’s a fun place to visit when you want some Polynesian food or goodies
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September 2023 by LAWOFFICESJUSTIN
THIS IS A REALLY SMALL STORE WITH GARBAGE STUFF, ACUTALLY WE FOUND LOT OF STUFF FROM COSTCO , THIS GUY KUMAR SELLS IN HIS STORE, FOR DOUBLE PRICE! SHOCKING AND SEEMS LIKE HE IS REALLY HARD UP FOR MONEY, THE SAME BOTTLE OF JAMAICAN CURRY POWDER SELLS ON AMAZON FOR LITERALLY $3.00, AND KUMAR SELLS FOR DOUBLE THE PRICE WITH TAXES. THE LAMB IS FULL OF FAT, MEAT IS VERY UNHEALTHY AND LIKE RUBBER, NOT TASTY AT ALL. WHEN WE TALK TO KUMAR, HE STARTS TO GET VERY UPSET, RATHER THAN RESOLVING CUSTOMER SERVICE RESOLUTION.
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September 2023 by Stacy D.
They have what you need for Polynesian food place is packed with all the island ingredients including poi that is good even though it's frozen. Love the frozen ulu too
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May 2023 by Tanya M
Very positive first experience here today. The very tiny store is a little overwhelming upon walking in because there is just so much in a tiny space, but great customer service. Fake flower, Kikui nut, and $ leis + Hawaiian shirts & swim trunks + frozen food from various islands among other canned food staples. Not my favorite brand of poi, Taro Brand, but they have it and are willing to help source other delicious items from the Hawaiian islands that aren't currently in stock. Nice find!
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February 2023 by alejandra corbella
This is a small store with Caribbean, Hawaiian and island items. The owner is helpful and kind.Although they have a variety of items is hard to see everything due to boxes covering most of the store. If you are looking for something in particular ask the staff.They have a small selection of frozen items and produce, however most is in cans.
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November 2022 by Orchid P.
I bought Taro leaves but when I got home and opened it , I found out all the leaves were too old and broken into pieces . They also turned black and very mushy.
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August 2022 by Paula Gonzalez
Best spot for Caribbean ingredients. Great prices, very friendly. Will be a new go-to!
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June 2022 by Angelo I.
We pass by this part of Santa Clara St. in San Jose almost every week. Our church is right there. And for the love of God, I swear, we have never noticed Kumar's Island Market before. We may have a good excuse though; and it's that our eyes always zero in at the store next door --L&F Fish Market, where we previously bought fresh fish and bakalau. And where we've been promising ourselves to go back to to get some fresh oysters. Today is different. From our church across the street, we did notice Kumar's. And there we met Suren. Kumar's Island Market is a small store in an unimposing building at the very end of Santa Clara St. before it turns into Alum Rock Ave. as you cross highway 101. We didn't go in for anything particular. We were just curious. And we walked away with new knowledge where to buy lau lau, cured brisket, uni, whole lechon, oxtail, New Zealand corned beef and so much more. We did buy a couple of things --a few plantain bananas and li hing mui powder. But the best part of our discovery is Suren himself. We ended up talking and talking about everything Filipino/ Polynesian. We went inside for nothing and ended up staying for the spirited chat. Suren is originally from Sri Lanka but with his knowledge of anything Filipino, he might as well be Filipino. Like today, we learned from him that uni is called "maratangtang" in Ilocano. Anything Polynesian, he knows. He said some folks call him "Kumar" because of the store name. But that was from the previous owner. We completely lost track of time until a couple of Samoan patrons came in to pick up some local goodies. Both of them bought Kalo (taro), for which I promptly asked if they were going to make poi (a reactive and unsolicited stupid question ). No, they're going to boil them and prepare it with coconut milk (Fa'alipu Kalo). I don't remember if we have a similar dish in the Philippines but I know we used taro for dessert. And certainly using coconut milk as well. These discoveries is what we live for. Especially when we learn something new within the neighborhood. I have lived in San Jose for about 8 years now and we're still discovering new things about it. There's definitely so much more about San Jose than meets the eye. And it's only a matter of time when we get to meet another Suren. Salamat, Suren! Bohoma Istuti! Fa'afetai!
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May 2022 by Rose P.
We shop here often for Hawaiian and Puerto Rican groceries! The owner is always friendly and helpful.
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April 2022 by Michael P.
Loved this store. Did not want a hoeley store and it didnt disappoint. This store was the real deal. Cant wait to come back . Living the aloha life
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March 2022 by Jeremy A.
Place is a original island market I remember when my parents would go there when Charlie was the guypricey but place has everything u won't find anywhere else
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January 2022 by Tee Skywalker
1st time visiting Kumar’s Island Market today and found everything that would make my mom smile especially since her birthday is on Christmas Day? Thank you, she loved her tukumisi along with everything else. I will be back tomorrow to get more goodies, only this time for myself?•Well stocked Pacific Islander goods•Welcoming, friendly & helpful staff•Decent prices•Right off Hwy 101
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July 2021 by S Le
The store is small but have a lot of stuffs. I was here for DG Jamaican Ginger beer. The owner and his help were so nice. I would recommend this place.
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June 2021 by Michaelo R.
I stopped by to buy some Miller's hot links. He was out of stock but told me about a Portuguese hot sausage that was in stock. I asked if it was Linguica and he told me that it was not, more like a Polish sausage. Okay, so I decided to try it. The Miller's hot links would be stocked in a week or so. I tried the hot Portuguese sausage and it TASTED EXACTLY LIKE LINGUICA! No worry since I like Linguica. I visited again today to get the Miller's hot links which were in stock. The packaging indicated Hot Links Chorizo when I got it home. WTF? I visited the Miller's website and there the regular beef hotlinks are listed right next to the Chorizo hot links. I like chorizo but I wanted regular beef hot links. I returned to the store and Kumar tried to convince me the products were the same, that no Chorizo was in the links even though it is listed right on the front of the pack. He played it off like it was different packaging for Guam. He kept insisting the products were the same, just different packaging. Then he finally admitted the "Guam" version was slightly plumper. He refunded my money after we went back and forth for a few rounds. In my two dealings with Kumar, I found him to be very annoying and irritating in his manner. I believe him to be of Asian Indian descent and he has that irritating attitude that some shopkeepers have. He kept telling me "let me educate you" about the sausages. I called him on the Hot Portuguese Sausage he had sold me while insisting it was more like a Polish Sausage. Said it was not a true Linguica since it contained no wine! WTF??? Kumar has no clue, not even the slightest. I WILL NOT RETURN! NEVER! Oh, the tiny store is a firetrap! Be warned!
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May 2021 by Leeann Bloomfield
Service is always good and I always find the stuff I need at a great price.
