Paolo Bicchieri is the associate editor for the Northern California and Pacific Northwest region writing about restaurant and bar trends, coffee and cafes, and pop-ups.
It seemed like it took no time at all for a Canadian super chain to go from announcing its United States expansion to becoming one of the Seattle area’s hottest shopping centers. The execs at Asian grocer T&T Supermarket told the chain’s huge fanbase (it’s the type of grocery store with a fanbase) that it would open in Bellevue’s the Marketplace at Factoria mall in June 2023. Last December, when the grand opening finally arrived, lines crawled around the block and TikTok videos detailing the event sprung up like scallions in windowsill jars.
Now that the grocer has been open for a few months, it’s worth wondering: Just how wild is T&T Supermarket? Is it worth the hype? And what does it look like on an average Thursday? Eater Seattle went with magnifying glass in hand.
The Wait
The 76,000-square-foot space, which took over a former Walmart, cuts an impressive line across the gray sky. It’s about 10 in the morning and the parking lot is not full of people. Neither is the store. CEO Tina Lee told Eater Seattle in December this store is larger than any of the 36 Canadian T&Ts; it could feel cavernous with ease. But at least there’s a steady stream of activity flowing in and out, even if it’s not crowded on weekdays. There’s a line to get food, especially around lunchtime, when people cluster around the hot food station, the crepe stand, and other hotspots.
The Vibe
Walking in, the huge wine and spirits section directly on the left catches the eye. Big sake drums sit atop an armada of bottles. On the horizon is aisle after aisle. On the right is a solid third of the store dedicated to hot food. The energy here is infectious; it’s like the first time stepping into a Trader Joe’s for those unlucky enough to grow up with no real culture or (for Seattleites) the inaugural trip to Uwajimaya. (The Bellevue T&T is even bigger than the flagship Uwajimaya in the CID.) The vastness of the live sea creatures is a stark reminder of life before the freezer aisle. Eels crowd on each other by the kilo, crabs clawing in the air.
The Menu
It’s a herculean task to cover all the options awaiting those at T&T. Called T&T Kitchen, there are a number of stations throughout the store catering to hungry shoppers’ needs. On the hot food end alone there are myriad items available for to-go or dining in, a fairly spacious dining area available for those looking to stay. The barbecue section offers cuts of hanging duck, pig, and numerous other options with combos starting at $14. There are big buffet-style stations, too, where food comes by the pound. This is right next to the make-your-own congee stand, by the way…