This Massive Florida Asian Supermarket Is Worth A Road Trip For Live Crab, Peking Duck And Hard-To-Find Produce

Live blue crab, Peking duck, and a produce section so big it needs a map. That trio alone sold me before I even pictured the parking lot.

This Florida supermarket keeps tanks of live seafood running all day. It also has a barbecue counter turning out roast duck, char siu pork, and crispy pork belly.

I like how one grocery run here can cover dinner tonight and a freezer full of dumplings for later. Shoppers drive in from Tampa, Vero Beach, and South Florida just to fill their coolers.

I can’t imagine leaving with only what was on my list. Honestly, who could?

A Grocery Store That Feels Like A Destination

Most people don’t plan a road trip around groceries. Enson Market in Orlando makes a very good case for breaking that habit.

The store is a vast Asian supermarket that anchors the Chinatown Plaza on West Colonial Drive. It carries fish from tanks, Asian produce, imported pantry goods, and an on-site bakery, all under one roof.

The size is the first thing that grabs you. One shopper from South Florida called it the largest Asian market with so many items she had ever seen.

That’s a big statement from someone who lives near plenty of grocery options.

Enson Market also sells regular groceries, so a trip here can replace your usual weekly run. You can grab milk and bread right alongside gai lan and frozen pot stickers.

The store serves cooks shopping for Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines. Curious snackers will find plenty to poke at, too.

Plan for more time than you think you’ll need. Wandering is half the fun here, and a list helps keep the cart honest.

Bring a cooler as well, because the seafood counter might change your plans fast.

Orlando’s Chinatown Plaza As Home Base

Location matters when you’re hauling home live crab. Enson Market sits right in Orlando’s Chinatown Plaza, a busy stretch on the city’s west side.

West Colonial Drive is State Road 50, a major east-west road through Orlando. Drivers coming from Tampa on I-4 can reach it without much fuss.

The same goes for anyone rolling in from the coast.

Shoppers have made the trip from Tampa, Vero Beach, and South Florida. One made a two-hour drive just to stock up.

That tells you something about how far this store’s pull reaches across Florida.

Parking is plentiful, which is a relief when you’re juggling a cart full of bags. Nobody wants to circle the lot with frozen dumplings softening in the trunk.

The plaza setting also means you can make an afternoon of it. Shopping centers like this one tend to pack in several Asian businesses side by side.

It’s worth a stroll before you load the car.

The full address is 5132 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida 32808. Plug it into your phone before you leave home, then let the cravings guide the rest.

Tanks Full Of Live Crab And Fresh Fish

Seafood is the headline act here, and it’s alive. The live seafood department runs a long row of tanks stocked with swimming catches.

Dungeness crab and tilapia often show up in the tanks. Live blue crab and lobster appear too, along with other seasonal shellfish.

Ask what’s in that day, because the lineup can shift.

Keeping tanks like these healthy is serious work. A former supermarket owner admired how much effort it takes to run fish tanks at this scale.

He pointed out that few markets even try it.

The fresh fish case adds even more choices beyond the tanks. Pompano has appeared at a very friendly price per pound, which helps the wallet.

Here’s the best perk for home cooks: the counter can clean your fish inside and out. That saves you a messy job and a lot of paper towels in the kitchen sink.

One Vero Beach shopper wished for a bigger cooler. Learn from that and bring the large one, plus ice packs.

The seafood and meat counters close about an hour before the store does, so don’t arrive late.

Peking Duck Worth Clearing Your Lunch Plans

Glossy roast ducks hanging behind glass will stop most people mid-aisle. Inside Enson Market, the barbecue counter known as Peng’s BBQ handles that delicious distraction.

The counter serves Cantonese-style roasted meats. You’ll find Peking duck, roast duck, crispy pork belly, char siu pork, and roasted pig.

Peking duck draws the most chatter, with shoppers praising it as juicy and well seasoned. The char siu has fans too.

Some home cooks call it essential for homemade fried rice.

Grab-and-go meats make this a smart stop for road-trippers. You can pick up dinner for tonight while shopping for the week ahead.

That’s a win for anyone who doesn’t want to cook after a long drive.

Quality can vary on a busy day, so it helps to look over the meats before ordering. Ask for the cut and portion you want.

A tip for timing: get your duck at the end of your shop. It’ll still be warm when you reach the car.

Whether it makes it home intact is between you and your willpower.

Produce Aisles That Turn Shopping Into A Treasure Hunt

Bitter melon, gai lan, jackfruit, and durian, all in one department. The produce section at Enson Market is huge and full of things most supermarkets skip.

Tropical fruits and Asian vegetables fill the displays. You’ll spot several types of Asian pears too, which make a fun side-by-side taste test at home.

Not sure what something is? Items are labeled, which helps a lot.

One first-timer still leaned on a Filipino friend to explain what each item tasted like. Bringing a knowledgeable buddy is honestly a great strategy.

Freshness matters with any produce, especially items packed in sealed bags. Give fruit a careful look before it lands in your cart.

The store offers a 30-day return policy with a receipt if something goes wrong.

Adventurous cooks will love browsing slowly here. A single trip could fill a week of stir-fries, soups, and smoothies.

Start with one unfamiliar vegetable and one fruit. Look up a simple recipe on the spot.

Before long, gai lan might become a regular guest at your dinner table, and you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

Frozen Dim Sum For A Freezer Glow-Up

Dinner emergencies don’t stand a chance against a well-stocked freezer. Enson Market’s frozen aisles are packed with Chinese buns and pot stickers of all kinds.

Frozen dim sum gets plenty of attention. Brands like Wei-Chuan and Ajinomoto line the cases, so finding a favorite is easy.

Hot pot fans get their own playground here. A former supermarket owner described the frozen dim sum and hot pot items as extraordinary.

He even joked you could practically supply a restaurant from these shelves.

Sushi ingredients show up as well, making a homemade sushi night a lot more doable. Frozen oxtails have been spotted at budget-friendly prices, too.

Here’s a practical tip for longer drives. Shop the frozen section last and pack those bags into a cooler right away.

Florida heat waits for no one, especially in summer.

Think of this aisle as future-you insurance. A bag of dumplings means a hot dinner in minutes on a busy weeknight.

Buy a few kinds, taste-test them at home, and you’ll know exactly what to restock next trip.

Butcher Cuts You Won’t Find At The Chain Store

Flanken-cut short ribs ready for Korean barbecue night? Enson Market’s specialized butcher shop has them, along with plenty of other cuts that rarely show up at regular stores.

Whole ducks are available for cooks who want to roast their own. Pork cuts used in traditional Asian dishes are on hand, too.

Shoppers have praised the fresh meats from several kinds of animals. Budget-minded cooks seeking affordable proteins have left happy as well.

Cooks making braises, soups, or grilled dishes will appreciate the range. Specialty cuts can save you from settling for a substitute that just doesn’t taste right.

Timing is important at this counter. The meat department closes roughly an hour before the store does.

A late-night run won’t help if your recipe needs short ribs.

Plan your menu before you arrive. Know which cuts you need and roughly how much.

That keeps the counter visit quick and focused.

Pair your meat with produce from the next aisle over, and dinner basically plans itself. Pack everything cold in a cooler for the drive, and your weekend cookout just got a serious upgrade.

Snack, Sauce And Tea Walls That Go On Forever

Snack lovers, clear your schedule. The tea, spice, sauce, and snack aisles at Enson Market could easily eat an hour.

A large wall of loose-leaf and bagged teas greets tea drinkers. Trendy snacks from Japan, Korea, and Thailand fill nearby shelves.

The sauce and spice range covers Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and other cuisines. One experienced shopper called it one of the most complete collections he’d ever seen.

Prices are a big part of the appeal. Some shoppers have found the same items online for double or triple the cost.

Checking here first can save real money on specialty pantry staples.

Curious drinks are part of the fun. One shopper tried a baked coconut water that tasted a bit cheesy at first.

She finished it anyway, which counts as a win.

Chinese herbs and noodles also line these aisles. Hungry cooks can build a whole pantry in one pass.

Grab one mystery snack per family member. It’s cheap entertainment for the ride home.

Someone will find a new favorite, and someone will make a funny face.

Pastries, Boba And Little Rewards Along The Way

Fresh pastries make a great bribe for patient shopping companions. Enson Market’s on-site bakery turns out baked goods right inside the store.

The deli area offers fresh-baked pastries alongside its roasted meats. That’s a sweet-and-savory pairing that’s hard to resist.

A smoothie stand adds another treat. Boba comes up often among shoppers too, so a cold drink is easy to find mid-trip.

Kids especially might appreciate this part of the outing. A pastry and a drink can stretch everyone’s patience through one more aisle.

Savers have their own reward. Weekly Hot Deals start on Fridays, covering staples like big bags of rice, cooking oils, and seasonal produce.

A digital rewards program through the store’s mobile app lets frequent shoppers earn points. If you plan to come back, it’s an easy thing to set up.

Here’s my suggested order of operations. Grab a drink first, shop the dry aisles, then hit the bakery near the end.

Cold items and duck come last. Everybody stays happy, and your treats stay fresh for the drive.

Clean Aisles And Room To Breathe

A store this big could easily feel chaotic. Instead, Enson Market earns frequent praise for neat aisles and organized shelves.

The store has improved over the years, and longtime shoppers have noticed. A change in ownership brought more checkout lanes and friendlier service.

Wide aisles make the place accessible and easy to manage with a cart. Some items sit on high shelves, but staff can help bring them down.

A clean restroom sits near the front. That’s a gift for anyone finishing a long drive across Florida.

Like any busy market, experiences can vary from day to day. Checking expiration dates is a smart habit with any imported goods.

The store’s 30-day return policy, with receipt, offers some peace of mind.

The overall mood suits many kinds of shoppers. Serious home cooks will find their specialty ingredients.

Families can turn the visit into a tasting adventure.

Curious beginners will appreciate how labeled products make exploring less intimidating. Music plays through the store, too, adding a little pep to your step.

Even a long list feels lighter when the aisles cooperate.

Smart Moves Before You Hit The Road

Early birds and night owls both win here. Enson Market keeps long daily hours, opening early in the morning and staying open late into the evening.

Hours can change, so check before driving out. Remember that seafood and meat counters close about an hour before the store does.

Bring a big cooler and plenty of ice packs. Live crab and fresh fish need cold storage on the way home, especially in Florida summer heat.

Fridays kick off the weekly deals, which makes the end of the week a smart time for stocking up. Pantry staples like rice and oil are worth watching.

A shopping list helps more than you’d think. Shoppers often confess to coming in for one thing and leaving with a cart full.

Consider yourself warned, kindly.

Parking is plentiful, and the store is easy to reach from I-4 and West Colonial Drive. Visiting during hurricane season, from June through November?

Watch the weather before planning a long trip.

Shop cold items last, check produce carefully, and keep your receipt. Those simple habits make the whole road trip smoother.