Fresh International Market Schaumburg

The best fish is sold here! They also have food court, where fresh food is made daily ( except Tuesdays). Prices are good. I also like the bakery. Convenient location in Schaumburg by Target on Meacham.

Store is great. Only thing is the food court area the ramen is ok but the stir fry sucks. Also the lady at the cashier seems to always be confused even though i ordered everything right and ready to pay. Just stands there with a blank expression.

I just stumbled on an absolute gem of Chinese food tucked inside an international market and I’m not saying this lightly. I lived 10 years in China. Shanghai, Beijing, countless tier-2 cities, hole-in-the-wall joints, late-night street food, family kitchens, proper regional spots. I know legit Chinese food. I know when flavors are adjusted for export… and when they’re not. This is the real deal. Actually , this is better than a lot of what I ate there. The shrimp? Perfectly cooked, juicy, coated in a sauce that hits that exact balance of heat, umami, and aroma no grease, no shortcuts. You taste technique. You taste confidence. The vegetable stir-fry? Absolute masterclass. Wok hei is there. Textures are on point. Every bite has intention : bitterness, sweetness, spice, crunch : layered, not chaotic. This is someone cooking from memory, not from a recipe card. Nothing feels “internationalized.” Nothing feels diluted. This is regional, bold, unapologetic Chinese cooking, hiding in plain sight, served in humble aluminum trays that completely undersell what’s inside. Honestly? If this place had a proper storefront in Shanghai or Chengdu, it would be packed. If Michelin sent a guest inspector who actually knows China, they’d raise an eyebrow, take a second bite… then quietly nod. A reminder that the best meals are often found where you least expect them. This isn’t just good Chinese food for here. This is exceptional Chinese food. Period.

I love checking out foods that I normally cannot find in Northern Michigan. This place didn't disappoint one bit! I'm a sucker for beverages I can't normally find, or new ones I've never seen. Kinda pumped though that I found M-150 I haven't had it since an old coworker brought one back from Thailand. I was able to get a bunch of random snacks for our kids to try and got some interesting beverages along with some alcoholic offerings. The produce looked great and the meat area looked way better than most other places. First time seeing duck eggs and preserved eggs and I was too "chicken" to get the preserved eggs. Great experience!

Two things keep me going to Fresh International Market almost every week. Their DIY Hot pot and egg tarts! Oh, my goodness. It gets me salivating every time I think about it! I am obsessed with their mala hotpot and mala stir fry!!! It has been my top #1 for awhile now. On Thursdays, they have a 20% discount for all the diy mala dishes! I am addicted, and it keeps me going every week. After you put your veggies in the white veggie basket and protein in the pink protein basket, you bring it to the cashier to mark and check off a slip of paper. The slip has you checking off what type of mala you want, add rice, the spice level, whether you want cilantro and peanuts, and if you want it for here or to go. I recommend getting rice on the side! IT'S WORTH IT, especially with the stir fry! Then, pass it to the cashier to weigh your item. After your delicious hotpot/stir fry, go to the bakery on the other side to grab some egg tarts! Buy 2, get 1, free on Mondays, I believe. So delicious. The market itself seems pretty clean inside. I can't wait to go back on Thursday!