Decent Food Mart in Oklahoma City: International Staples and Competitive Pricing on Ethnic Groceries
Decent Food Mart is a small independent grocer specializing in Asian and international ingredients, located on the south side of Oklahoma City. It stocks items that larger chain supermarkets either do not carry or price significantly higher: fresh produce imported weekly, frozen prepared foods, sauces, grains, and spices from multiple regions. The store operates as a single-location shop, not a chain, and draws regulars who cook Southeast Asian, South Asian, and East Asian cuisines at home.
What Decent Food Mart stocks
The store anchors around Asian groceries but extends beyond. You will find fresh vegetables like bok choy, Thai basil, lemongrass, and bitter melon; multiple brands of soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce; rice varieties including jasmine and short-grain; instant noodles and dried mushrooms; frozen dumplings and spring rolls; and spice blends for curry pastes. The produce section rotates seasonally but maintains core items year-round. A small freezer section holds prepared items such as samosas and frozen seafood. The store also carries international sodas, candies, and condiments not typical in chain supermarkets.
Pricing compared to chain alternatives
Decent Food Mart's advantage lies in bulk purchasing power on items Oklahoma City chains mark up heavily. A 2-liter bottle of Thai soda costs roughly $2.50 to $3.00 here versus $4.00 to $5.00 at Whole Foods or Sprouts. Fresh bok choy runs $1.50 to $2.00 per pound, compared to $3.50 to $4.00 at Reasors or Albertsons. Soy sauce brands like Pearl River Bridge typically cost $2.50 to $3.50 per bottle, undercutting mainstream retailers by $1.00 or more. Frozen dumplings range from $3.00 to $6.00 per package depending on type and brand. Standard American pantry items (pasta, canned goods, basic spices) match or slightly exceed chain prices, so the store rewards shoppers hunting for specific ethnic ingredients rather than households doing all-purpose grocery runs.
Who it suits and who it does not
Decent Food Mart suits home cooks preparing authentic or semi-authentic Asian dishes regularly, bulk buyers stocking freezers, and anyone in Oklahoma City living far from ethnic grocery chains. It works well for supplementing a Whole Foods or Reasors trip with hard-to-find items rather than as a primary grocery destination. The store does not compete on breadth; it has no deli, bakery, or pharmacy, and limited selection in produce outside its specialty focus. Shoppers expecting US brands, organic certification labels, or a wide selection of conventional American groceries should plan to visit a full-service chain instead.
Services and what to expect on a first visit
Decent Food Mart operates as a cash-and-carry model with no delivery or special order service. You select items from open shelves and coolers, pay at a single register, and leave. The shop is narrow and densely stocked, requiring patience during peak hours. Parking is available in a shared lot outside. Staff speak multiple languages and can identify ingredients or suggest preparation uses if asked, though the store does not provide recipes or cooking classes. Credit and debit cards are accepted; cash receives no discount.
Hours, location, and logistics
The store is open six days a week, typically Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and closed Sundays. Hours may shift seasonally; call ahead if planning a specific trip. It occupies roughly 2,000 square feet in a strip commercial space on the south side, with street parking and a small adjacent lot. The storefront is modest and easy to miss if you are not looking for it. No online ordering or curbside pickup is available.
Decent Food Mart fills a pricing and sourcing gap that Oklahoma City's major chains leave open for home cooks committed to ethnic cuisine, making it worth a detour if you cook Asian food regularly.
