A Massive 50,000-Square-Foot Asian Supermarket Just Opened In San Francisco, California
A new grocery store just unveiled a custom cake shaped like the rotunda of a famous city hall.
The bakery behind it turns out more than 300 breads, desserts, and pastries every day. Portuguese egg tarts are part of the lineup. So are lattes in black sesame and ube.
I love that there’s a little more to the story. This giant store fills a space that sat empty for nearly a decade. Another big grocer tried to move in and gave up after years of delays.
Now the aisles stretch across 50,000 square feet in Northern California. You’ll find 200 kinds of vegetables, 100 kinds of fruit, and tanks of live lobster and crab.
I’m a fan of places that turn a long wait into something worth celebrating. It’s time to see what does a store this big actually hold.
A Long-Empty Building Finally Got Its Happy Ending
Nearly a decade is a long time for a big building to sit quiet. T&T Supermarket finally changed that when it opened its San Francisco store on November 5, 2026.
The space once held a Best Buy, which closed in 2017. After that, the storefront stayed empty for years while the neighborhood waited.
Whole Foods planned to move in at one point. That plan fell apart after years of permitting problems and delays.
T&T took over the lease in March 2025. What happened next surprised plenty of people who follow city news.
The permitting process moved remarkably fast this time. That speed was credited to Mayor Daniel Lurie’s administration and its push to help businesses open sooner.
So a building known for waiting now buzzes with groceries, food counters, and a bakery. That’s a pretty satisfying plot twist for one corner of California.
It also makes this opening feel bigger than a typical new store. The neighborhood didn’t just gain a supermarket.
It gained back a huge space that had gone unused for far too long. Sometimes good things simply take the scenic route.
A Canadian Favorite Makes Its Big Bay Area Move
Canada has loved this chain for a long time. Now California is getting its turn, and the timing feels quick.
The San Francisco location is only the second T&T in the state. San Jose got the first one in June 2026, just a few months earlier.
Both openings are part of the Canadian chain’s broader push into the United States. If you’ve heard friends from Vancouver or Toronto talk about T&T, this explains the excitement.
The San Francisco store measures a whopping 50,000 square feet. That’s plenty of room for groceries, prepared food, a bakery, a cafe, and more.
A store that size can feel like a day trip of its own. Give yourself extra time, especially on your first visit.
Wandering is half the fun here. You may come in for rice and leave knowing three new snacks by name.
The store’s size also means it can carry products from many Asian food traditions under one roof. That variety is a big part of its appeal.
For San Francisco shoppers, the store brings a well-known brand much closer to home. No passport required.
The Produce Section Could Teach You A New Vegetable Every Week
Two hundred kinds of vegetables. One hundred kinds of fruit. Those numbers alone make the produce area at T&T Supermarket worth a slow lap.
Specialty items help this section stand out. You’ll spot things like yam leaf sprouts, fresh jackfruit, and durian.
Durian has a big reputation, and its smell is famous for being strong. Curious shoppers can finally see one up close without hunting across town.
Jackfruit is another eye-catcher thanks to its huge, bumpy shape. It’s the kind of fruit that makes kids stop and point.
A smart plan is to grab one unfamiliar item each trip. Over time, your cooking can branch out in fun and tasty ways.
You can also ask staff for help if you’re unsure what something is. A quick question can save you from guessing at home.
Home cooks who make dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia may find their shopping list gets much easier. Fewer stops means more time in the kitchen.
Bring a reusable bag with some room in it. Produce this interesting has a sneaky way of filling up a cart fast.
Lobsters, Crab, And Catfish Are Waiting In The Tanks
Seafood shopping gets a lot more lively when the lobsters are still moving. The live seafood counter here features tanks filled with lobsters, catfish, and crab.
Next to the tanks, you’ll find cases of fresh shrimp, clams, and scallops. It’s a strong setup for anyone planning a special dinner.
San Francisco already has a deep love for seafood. A counter like this fits right into that tradition.
Kids usually find the tanks fascinating. A quick stop to watch the crabs can buy you a few calm minutes.
If you’re cooking for a holiday or family gathering, this counter could be your first stop. Planning ahead helps when you want something specific.
Shellfish like clams and scallops cook quickly, which makes them great for weeknight meals. A simple stir-fry or soup can come together fast.
Bring a cooler bag if you have a longer drive home. Keeping seafood cold matters, especially on warmer days.
Not sure how to prepare something? Asking at the counter is a smart move. Fresh seafood deserves a little care, and good advice can make dinner shine.
Peking Duck For Lunch Sounds Like A Solid Plan
Grocery shopping on an empty stomach is risky. Luckily, T&T Kitchen sits right inside the store with fast-casual meals ready to go.
The kitchen includes a hot food bar and a barbecue station. Peking Duck is one of the star dishes, and Crispy Papa Chicken is another favorite name to know.
Chinese American comfort food shows up too. Pork meatballs and beef brisket with daikon are part of the lineup.
Brisket with daikon is a cozy pairing. The radish soaks up rich flavor while the beef stays the center of attention.
A sushi counter adds even more choices. It offers elaborate sushi platters and party platters, which can be lifesavers for get-togethers.
Hosting a birthday or game night? A party platter can save you hours of work. Your guests will think you planned way ahead.
The kitchen also makes a quick lunch stop easy for busy workdays. Grab a meal, then pick up groceries afterward.
It’s a handy combo for families with tight schedules. Dinner and shopping can happen in one trip, which is a win.
Order A Black Sesame Latte At A Cafe That’s A U.S. First
Here’s a fun bit of trivia for your next coffee run. The T&T Cafe in San Francisco is the first of its kind inside a U.S. T&T Supermarket.
The cafe makes specialty lattes to order. Flavors include black sesame and ube, which bring something different from the usual vanilla.
Ube is a purple yam popular in Filipino desserts. It gives drinks a bright color and a gently sweet taste.
Black sesame has a nutty, toasty flavor. It’s a great pick for anyone who wants a latte with more personality.
The cafe also serves ice-blended Arctic drinks. They’re basically Canada’s answer to a Frappuccino, so the name makes sense.
A drink here can turn a grocery trip into a small treat. Sipping while you shop just feels a little more relaxed.
It’s also a nice spot to meet a friend before shopping together. Splitting two flavors lets you try more in one visit.
San Francisco gets this first, which gives the store a little extra bragging rights. Not a bad perk for being early in line.
Save Room For Egg Tarts And A City Hall Cake
More than 300 breads, desserts, and pastries come out of the T&T Bakery. Everything is baked fresh daily, so the case changes in tasty ways.
Portuguese egg tarts are one highlight. Their flaky shells and creamy custard make them an easy grab for snack time.
Then there’s the showstopper. The bakery created a custom cake designed to look like the rotunda of San Francisco City Hall.
That cake is a playful nod to the city. It shows the store wants to feel like part of the neighborhood, not just a new building.
With so many options, it helps to set a little game plan. Try one sweet item and one savory bread each visit.
Breakfast can get easier too. A few pastries on the counter make busy mornings feel less rushed.
Bakery boxes also make great gifts for coworkers or neighbors. Few people complain when someone shows up with egg tarts.
Just know that self-control may get tested here. Three hundred choices is a lot to walk past without stopping.
Your Pantry And Skincare Shelf Might Both Get An Upgrade
Frozen soup dumplings in your freezer can rescue any lazy night. T&T Supermarket offers more than 200 T&T Private Label products, and those pork soup dumplings are among them.
Korean kalbi marinade and green onion pancakes are also part of the house brand. They’re simple shortcuts to big flavor at home.
The wider shelves cover ingredients and snacks from China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. That pan-Asian range is a big reason the store feels so complete.
Snack lovers can build a fun sampler basket. Pick a few treats from different countries and turn tasting into a family activity.
Beyond food, there’s a substantial health and beauty section. Many products are imported from Korea and Japan.
Korean and Japanese skincare has a huge fan base. Having it in the same place as dinner groceries is pretty convenient.
Keep a running list on your phone before each trip. With this much variety, it’s easy to forget the one thing you came for.
And yes, the dumplings probably belong on that list too.
Plan Your Trip To Geary Boulevard With These Handy Tips
Finding the store is easy once you know the spot. T&T Supermarket sits at 2675 Geary Boulevard, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94118.
It’s inside the City Center shopping complex. That makes it convenient for people who like to handle several errands in one outing.
Hours are generous too. The store opens at 8 AM and closes at 10 PM most days.
Early mornings can be a smart choice for calmer aisles. Late evenings may work well for anyone heading home after work.
Since the store is brand new, expect lots of curious shoppers for a while. A little patience goes a long way during the first weeks.
Try making a loose plan before you go. Start with the cafe, shop the aisles, then finish at the bakery for a sweet ending.
For California shoppers outside the city, this store could make a fun weekend outing. Pair it with lunch from the hot food bar.
However you visit, give yourself time to explore. A 50,000-square-foot store rewards anyone willing to wander.
