You walk in and the first thing that hits you isn't the smell of incense or the sight of neon dragon signs. It’s the sheer, overwhelming scale of the place. Honestly, Dragon Star St Paul—officially Dragon Star Oriental Foods—feels more like a cavernous warehouse of possibilities than a neighborhood grocery store.
Located at 633 West Minnehaha Avenue, right in the heart of the Frogtown/Thomas-Dale area, it's a staple. For some, it’s a weekly ritual. For others, it’s a confusing maze where you might spend twenty minutes just trying to find the specific brand of fish sauce your grandma likes.
The Dragon Star Experience (Wait, There’s a Second Floor?)
Most people walk in and get distracted by the mochi donuts immediately. I get it. But if you actually want to shop, you’ve gotta understand the layout. It’s basically split into two levels.
The main floor is where the chaos starts. You’ve got the produce—mountains of bok choy, gai lan, and those massive jackfruits that look like prehistoric weapons. It’s also where you’ll find the Soga Mochi Donut and Korean hot dog counters. These aren't just "grocery store snacks." They’re destination eats.
The mochi donuts are made with rice flour, giving them that signature "boing-boing" chewiness. And the Korean corn dogs? You can get them crusted in everything from Ramen bits to Flamin' Hot Cheetos. It's ridiculous. It's great.
- Pro Tip: If you see a line at the deli/donut area, just get in it. It doesn't move fast, but the Takoyaki is worth the wait.
Going Upstairs
A lot of first-timers miss the second floor. Don't be that person. The upper level is where the "heavy lifting" happens. We’re talking:
- Massive aisles of dried noodles (ramen, glass noodles, vermicelli).
- A wall of rice bags that could probably survive a nuclear winter.
- The seafood counter where things are very much still swimming.
- An incredible kitchenware section with carbon steel woks and those beautiful ceramic bowls you see in restaurants.
What People Get Wrong About Dragon Star St Paul
There’s a common misconception that this is "just a Hmong market" or "just a Chinese store." That’s not it at all. While it definitely leans heavily into Vietnamese, Hmong, and Thai ingredients, the variety is surprisingly global.
✨ Don't miss: Williams Sonoma Deer Park IL: What Most People Get Wrong About This Kitchen Icon
I’ve found African staples like fufu flour and palm oil here. There’s a solid selection of Indonesian spices. You can find Hispanic items and even standard American "Staple" goods for the folks who live in the apartments nearby and just need a gallon of milk. It’s a true international hub.
Is it perfect? Nah.
If you read the reviews, people complain about two things: the smell and the service.
Let's be real—it’s a massive market with a huge live seafood section and a butcher shop. It’s gonna have a "scent." If you’re used to the sterile, vanilla-scented aisles of a suburban Whole Foods, this might be a shock. As for the service? The staff is busy. They are stocking a 60,000-square-foot space. They aren't there to chat about your day; they're there to get you through the line.
The Meat and Seafood Situation
If you’re a "nose-to-tail" cook, Dragon Star is your playground. They don't just sell chicken breasts and ground beef.
The butcher department handles stuff you won't find at a chain store. We’re talking tripe, heart, liver, feet, and tongue. They even have goat. Back in 2019, the general manager, Bona Ku, actually brought in automatic meat wrappers just to keep up with the volume. They were wrapping over 300,000 trays of meat in the first few months. That should give you an idea of how much product moves through this building.
🔗 Read more: Finding the most affordable way to live when everything feels too expensive
The seafood is the real star, though.
- Live Blue Crab
- Lobster
- Tilapia and Catfish (swimming in tanks)
- Squid and Frog Legs (usually on ice)
Checking for freshness is a must, obviously. It’s a high-volume spot, but always use your eyes. Look for clear eyes on the fish and a firm texture.
Why It Matters to St. Paul
Dragon Star Oriental Foods isn't just a business; it’s a neighborhood anchor. When its sister store, Double Dragon, had some legal and health code issues back in 2018, it left a massive hole in the North End's food access. It highlighted just how much the community relies on the Ku family's stores for affordable, culturally relevant food.
Even with the rise of "Asian Malls" in places like Eden Prairie (Asia Mall) or the rumored concepts for the Maplewood Mall, Dragon Star in St. Paul remains the gritty, authentic original. It’s where local restaurant owners buy their bulk supplies and where families do their big monthly shopping trips.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you're planning a trip to Dragon Star St Paul, here is the reality of what to expect:
Parking is a vibe. There’s a lot, but it gets cramped. People park weird. Just be patient.
💡 You might also like: Executive desk with drawers: Why your home office setup is probably failing you
Check the dates. While most stuff flies off the shelves, some of the more niche canned goods or snacks in the back corners might sit. A quick glance at the "Best By" date never hurts.
Bring your own bags. Or be prepared to carry out cardboard boxes. It’s that kind of place.
The Banh Mi. If you're there for lunch, the Char Siu Banh Mi is usually under $10 and is legitimately one of the best cheap eats in the Twin Cities. It comes with the works: pate, pickled daikon, carrots, and a healthy dose of cilantro.
Hours of Operation: They are typically open 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day, though some of the internal food stalls (like the mochi donut spot) might have shorter hours, usually starting around 11:00 AM.
Your Next Steps for a Dragon Star Run
Don't go on a Saturday afternoon if you hate crowds. It's a madhouse. Instead, try a Tuesday morning. The aisles are clearer, and the produce is usually freshly stocked.
Start your trip at the back seafood counter if you're buying fresh fish, then work your way through the dry goods upstairs, and finish at the mochi donut stand on your way out. It's the only way to ensure your donuts don't get squashed by a 20-pound bag of Jasmine rice.
Check the labels on the sauces—they have an entire aisle dedicated just to soy sauce and fish sauce variations. Grab a bottle of something you've never heard of. That's the whole point of shopping here.