Gorgeous Taiwanese goods and foods
Maeli Market is a Taiwanese lifestyle supermarket that also happens to make fantastic hot foods. It’s the only of its kind in Toronto, but the concept has been in East Asia for decades: a chic designer store with curated goods and an attached cafe. The shopping experience is a highlight in itself, akin to browsing an art gallery. Maeli Market is unusual in that its wares are packaged foods instead of stationery, apparel, or household items, but the attention to detail is the same.
Design shops sometimes run into the folly of emphasizing style over substance. Happily, there is no such issue here. Their rice dishes, in particular, are a successful elevation of peasant foods.
The groceries
All their products are made in Taiwan or are Taiwanese favourites. Half of them can be found cheaper at other Chinese supermarkets. What you should come here for are unique imports like pineapple cakes (鳳梨酥), muah chee (麻糍; glutinous rice balls with filling), pickles, and teas.
All their wares are precisely arranged like a sculpture. They might even be colour-coordinated.
Their chilled and frozen sections have a fair selection. It’s rather pricey though since they are specialty imports.
They don’t have the full gamut of Taiwanese instant noodles. No manhan feast (滿漢大餐), a renowned brand with real chunks of beef. Nor TTL chicken noodles with rice wine (花雕雞麵). Probably food import restrictions.
Still, they pack a surprisingly large variety of products in a small space and make it seem spacious. There is even a small section for housewares.
