When asking yourself about something to do near me in Austin with a group of friends or family, consider
99 Ranch Market
Why 99 Ranch Market is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
99 Ranch Market stands out as the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, with a strong presence primarily in California and expanding to 11 states including Nevada, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Virginia. Founded in 1984 by Taiwanese immigrant Roger H. Chen, the market has grown from a single store into a trusted destination for Asian groceries, offering authentic flavors that cater greatly to the Asian-American community as well as food enthusiasts seeking diverse and high-quality ingredients. What makes 99 Ranch Market a popular meetup spot for friends and families is its extensive selection of fresh produce, live seafood, premium meats, and a rich variety of Asian snacks, groceries, and ready-to-eat meals such as those found in their bakery and hot deli sections. Customers enjoy the ability to choose from fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs vital to Asian cooking, while also appreciating services like on-site fish cleaning and the convenience of a recently launched mobile app for grocery delivery. The market reflects a balance between traditional grocery shopping experiences and modern conveniences, attracting both casual shoppers and culinary enthusiasts eager to explore Asian cuisine.
Here's what people think of 99 Ranch Market
As of recent, 99 Ranch Market holds a 4.4-star rating based on 2545 reviews.
Reviews for 99 Ranch Market overwhelmingly highlight its comprehensive variety and quality of products, especially fresh seafood and produce, which many users regard as essential to authentic Asian cooking. Positive reviews emphasize the premium cuts of meat and the availability of hard-to-find imported goods, praising the store’s well-stocked and diverse inventory. Customers also appreciate the ready-to-eat options from the bakery and deli, supporting 99 Ranch Market as not just a grocery destination but a place for convenient, delicious meals. On the other hand, some reviews point out issues with the mobile app's user experience; recent updates have been criticized for being less intuitive, with concerns about navigation, listing sold-out items improperly, and removal of deal sections that made shopping promotions easier to find. There have also been isolated complaints about product freshness, such as issues with live seafood quality, though these are less common. Overall, the reviews present 99 Ranch Market as a highly regarded supermarket chain praised for its product quality and variety, while highlighting opportunities for improvement in digital service and customer experience interfaces.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Meredith Sisnett
Spent one Saturday at this shopping mall and felt like I was exploring another town! There were so many wonderful things to see and eat! I honestly felt like a little kid touching and taking pics of the selection of food and products.
Johnny Alcorta
Amazing options, low prices. We tried their bakery items, I ate my jalapeño and sausage bread before I could take a picture. Will be back to try the Duck.
Brooke Freeman
As many other Asians will tell you, 99 Ranch is one of the best Asian grocers around. It is packed with nearly any item you could possibly hope to need and more. I adore the massive variety of fresh produce that can be so difficult to come by elsewhere. The freshly prepared food offered at 99 Ranch also all smells and looks delicious. I can only attest to the quality of the crispy pork & taro cake, however. The pork was savory, oily, and decadent in the manner that only pork belly can deliver—with shatteringly crisp skin. The taro cake was yummy, but would definitely had been top-notch if it would have been hot. Overall, an undoubtedly fantastic grocery store that any Asian food aficionado would delight in experiencing!
Abbey
Big thumbs up for 99 Ranch Market! They have everything I need for Asian cuisine, from greasy meat and veggies to frozen food and all the sauces. The store is clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. While they specialize in Chinese ingredients, they also offer a great selection of Korean and Japanese options, making it a one-stop sho for all your Asian cooking needs.
SJ Cleetus
This has been our go-to place for buying seafood. The quality can vary quite a bit depending on the day and time of visit, sometimes the fish is fresh and of great quality, while other times it falls short. That said, it’s one of the few places around that consistently stocks fish varieties popular in Asian/South Indian cooking, which keeps us coming back. Overall, a dependable option if you’re mindful of when you shop.
How to reach 99 Ranch Market
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Why 99 Ranch Market may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Rallying at 99 Ranch Market with your friends offers a unique, vibrant experience that goes far beyond just grocery shopping. This is the perfect destination for a group meetup because it combines the excitement of exploring diverse Asian cuisines with an interactive and engaging environment. When you gather your friends here, you’re inviting them to discover exotic ingredients, fresh and high-quality produce, and specialty items that are hard to find elsewhere. It's a place that sparks curiosity and culinary creativity, making it an ideal venue for adventurous food lovers seeking new tastes and inspiration. The buzz of the market, with its colorful displays of fruits, vegetables, seafood, and snacks from countries like Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and China, creates an atmosphere that’s lively and full of energy, perfect for socializing. Whether your group enjoys cooking together or wants to try authentic prepared foods, 99 Ranch Market offers ample opportunities for meaningful connection around a shared love of food and culture.
In addition to the broad variety of food, 99 Ranch Market supports group activities like communal cooking events, discovering specialty teas and beverages, or learning about traditional Asian ingredients and their uses. Friends can bond over selecting ingredients for a cooking challenge or plan spontaneous picnics with fresh meals from the market’s deli. The store’s wide aisles and spacious layout accommodate groups comfortably, and their extended hours, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, allow for flexible meetups that fit various schedules. Plus, with complimentary services like fish cleaning and preparation offered at certain locations, the market takes care of the details so your group can focus on enjoyment and exploration. Overall, 99 Ranch Market is an excellent social destination that offers a rich, sensory experience and enjoyable group activities that keep everyone engaged and connected.
What Activities Can You Do With Friends at 99 Ranch Market?
99 Ranch Market is far more than an ordinary supermarket; it’s a destination filled with interactive and enjoyable experiences ideal for groups. For starters, food exploration is a top activity because the market carries an extensive selection of Asian groceries from multiple countries including Taiwan, China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. You and your friends can taste test a variety of snacks, bubble teas, sweets, and ready-made meals, offering a fun tasting adventure that feels like a culinary world tour. Another lively activity is ingredient hunting—groups can challenge themselves to find the most unique or rare items such as specialty mushrooms, fresh seafood, exotic spices, or traditional noodles. This not only turns grocery shopping into a treasure hunt but also helps everyone learn about different cultures and cuisines.
For those who love cooking, 99 Ranch Market offers a great opportunity to plan group cooking sessions using fresh market ingredients. You can split into teams, each selecting ingredients for a dish to prepare later in someone’s kitchen, turning the meetup into an interactive cooking competition or collaborative feast. Many stores also provide useful in-store services such as fish cleaning, steaming, and frying, removing some of the effort needed to prepare seafood dishes. For groups who enjoy casual dining, the market often has ready-to-eat sections or food courts where friends can sample authentic Asian dishes instantly, from sushi and dim sum to Korean BBQ. This blend of shopping, tasting, and preparing makes 99 Ranch Market an excellent place for shared culinary adventures that foster bonding and create lasting memories.
Why Is 99 Ranch Market Ideal for Group Meetups?
Several factors make 99 Ranch Market a great choice for group outings. The first is its size and layout. With multiple spacious locations across the U.S., the markets are designed to handle many customers without feeling cramped, offering wide aisles and distinct sections. This allows groups to split up if needed and still convene comfortably. The broad product range ensures there is something for everyone’s tastes and preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, or health-conscious options, so dietary needs within a diverse group are easily accommodated. The 4.4-star average rating out of over 2,500 reviews reflects consistent customer satisfaction related to variety, freshness, and ambience, showing that visitors generally enjoy spending time here.
Second, the cultural richness of the market adds depth to group meetups beyond the typical shopping experience. The store’s wide selection of items from many Asian countries enables friends to share and discuss their own culinary backgrounds or explore new cuisines together. The visual appeal of colorful fruits, fresh seafood, and eye-catching packaging invites curiosity and conversation, making the shopping trip an immersive cultural moment. Additionally, 99 Ranch Market’s ready access to beverages like Asian teas, specialty wines, and craft beers adds to the social experience by letting groups gather around a drink or enjoy sampling unique flavors. Finally, the convenient hours (open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM) mean your group can meet early for breakfast ingredients or late for dinner supplies, fitting into various schedules without pressure.
How Can You Make the Most of a Meetup at 99 Ranch Market?
To maximize the fun at 99 Ranch Market, plan your gathering around a shared food experience or culinary project. A great idea is to pick a theme, such as Korean BBQ night, Dim Sum day, or Japanese home cooking, and use the market’s extensive offerings to gather all required ingredients. Assign roles within the group for ingredient shopping, meal preparation, and cooking, making the experience collaborative and enjoyable. Don’t miss the opportunity to try ready-made foods or market-prepared specialties as snacks during your visit to keep energy high. Bringing along recipe cards or cooking guides can enhance the learning and make ingredient selection easier, especially when dealing with unfamiliar items.
Another way to enjoy 99 Ranch Market with friends is by turning the shopping experience into a game or exploration challenge, such as finding the most unusual fruit or discovering the best sauce. Documenting your findings with photos or tasting notes can add to the fun and serve as a memory of your shared adventure. If some members are new to Asian cuisine, the market staff are usually very knowledgeable and happy to recommend products or explain how to prepare certain ingredients, adding educational value to your meetup. After shopping, your group can extend the outing into cooking at someone’s home or having a communal meal either at the store’s food court or nearby dining spots. This combination of discovery, education, and socialization is what makes regrouping at 99 Ranch Market so rewarding.
What Makes 99 Ranch Market Stand Out Compared to Other Supermarkets?
Unlike typical supermarkets, 99 Ranch Market specializes in Asian groceries and fresh products that are often difficult to find in mainstream stores. This specialty focus positions it as a cultural hub where food enthusiasts can access authentic ingredients directly from Asia without needing to visit multiple specialty shops. The market’s origin as the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States reflects its deep commitment to quality and authenticity. Many customers appreciate the freshness of the seafood, the vast range of noodles and sauces, and the availability of specialty snacks and drinks exclusive to Asian cultures.
Furthermore, 99 Ranch Market’s complimentary services such as fish cleaning, steaming, and frying enhance convenience and encourage shoppers to experiment with preparing seafood dishes that might otherwise be intimidating. The store also embraces digital advancements with its online shopping and app-based grocery delivery, allowing groups to coordinate shopping efforts or order items ahead of time. Customer ratings consistently highlight the market’s friendly staff, clean environment, and vibrant atmosphere as big pluses, reinforcing its reputation as a welcoming place for community gatherings. All these characteristics make 99 Ranch Market much more than a supermarket—it’s an immersive social and cultural destination perfect for groups seeking engaging experiences around food.
This comprehensive overview provides a strong case for why 99 Ranch Market is an exceptional venue for group meetups, blending shopping, socializing, and cultural discovery in a lively and accommodating setting.