Just when you thought Bergen County had too many Asian markets

Hong Kong-style whole Roast Duck, Roast Pork and Honey Barbecued Spare Ribs at 99 Ranch Market in Hackensack.

A wide variety of Dim Sum are available at another stand in the busy food court.

Editor's note: On visits in December 2019, a cashier at 99 Ranch Market charged me twice for the same item, necessitating a return trip to get a credit; and one of the employees behind the fish counter cleaned, but didn't scale, whole yellowtail snappers I purchased. 

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Korean supermarket chain with the folksy name of "One Arm Full of Groceries" has defined Asian food for decades.

With 6 H Marts in Bergen County alone, Han Ah Reum has had a loyal following among Korean-Americans and non-Koreans alike, despite competition from H&Y and other smaller chains.

But all that changed last week with the opening of 99 Ranch Market in Hackensack's Home Depot Shopping Center (June 2018).

The Chinese supermarket may not have as many good deals as H Mart, but the Hackensack store is simply a better Asian-food experience.

See more photos at The Sasson Report and on Instagram @victoresasson.

One of the stands in the food court of 99 Ranch Market in Hackensack.

Food labels: 'Vibrant, juicy flavors' ... 'pure, sweet basil' ... 'intense, fruity'

The labels of Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Smoked Sockeye Salmon, above, and Organic Quinoa from Peru, below, show the poetic side of Costco Wholesale.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- In cooking with some of the premium food items I buy at Costco Wholesale, I read the labels closely for information on their origin and how they are grown or raised.

Costco reserves the Kirkland Signature label for fresh, wild fish; Organic Quinoa, California Cabernet Sauvignon, Pesto made with 100% Italian basil and other items.

And besides listing salt and sodium content, some of the labels are almost poetic, as you'll see in a detailed post on The Sasson Report:

Check first for excessive salt and sugar,

 then enjoy the poetry of some food labels

An ethnic-food run for Mexican, Peruvian and Syrian specialties

An order of Fish Tacos at Taqueria Los Gueros on Main Avenue in the city of Passaic, above. Below, store-made Spinach & Cheese Pies, Mini Vegetable Pies, Fig & Walnut Roll and more at Fattal's in Paterson.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

This past Saturday, we went on an ethnic-food run to the cities of Passaic and Paterson for Mexican, Peruvian and Syrian specialties.

See The Sasson Report for all the details.

Enjoy.