Dosirak Korean BBQ and Bibimap is located on the second floor. / Photos by Chris Juhn Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Patrons order from electronic touchscreens at Legendary Spice on the second floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Fish on ice at the fresh seafood market. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Butterflies dangle from what appears to be a custom light above the entrance. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Customers wait to check out at the market. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Two patrons shop for groceries. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Bober Tea & Mochi Dough is located on the first floor Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Patrons wait to check out at the market. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Patrons shop in the market . Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Pho Mai Vietnamese Bistro is located on the first floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Patrons shop in the market. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
The fresh seafood section of the market is located on the first floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
The market is located on the first floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Pork options for food can be seen on the ordering touch screen at Legendary Spice on the second floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Hot Pot City sits empty, as it opens in the evening on the second floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Customers stand in line to order from Dosirak Korean BBQ & Bibimbap. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Located on the second floor, Legendary Spice is open for takeout only. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Not yet open, Snowbing Korean Shaved Ice is located on the second floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Not yet open, CrunCheese Korean Hot Dog is located on the second floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Stallion Insurance Group has an office on the second floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Hot Pot City is located on the second floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
A robot made by the company PUDU roams around the front of Hot Pot City. Menus on the back of the robot promote the restaurant. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Hot Pot City is located on the second floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Western Union is located at the Asian Mart on the first floor. Credit: Christopher Mark Juhn 
Filled to capacity, the parking lot created a challenge for many trying to visit during the soft opening.
Celebrating its soft opening, the Asia Mall in Eden Prairie enjoyed its first weekend open to the public. The soft opening was originally slated to run from Nov. 10-19, with a grand opening planned for Nov. 20. But the grand opening has been pushed back, according to a mall representative.
Located in the old Gander Mountain store, the mall currently has about nine restaurants, a hair salon, a grocery market, and an insurance and travel agency.
Many seemed to be ready for the new concept, which aims to promote local Asian businesses. “Our goal is to create a unique experience whereby Minnesotans can shop for fresh Asian groceries, pick up live seafood and dine at the top local Asian restaurants, all in one place,” according to the Asia Mall website.
Checkout lines for the grocery market rest in the center of the mall. But surrounding the mall was a mix of sit-down, counter ordering, and fast-casual dining options. Lines seemed to be at every restaurant.
The technology at the mall stood out. Both children and adults seemed entranced by a robot that moved back and forth in front of a currently closed hot pot restaurant. Screens for orders were seen in some of the restaurants and the lighting seemed to be mostly all LED and designed with the intention for the space.
If you plan to visit the Asia Mall, make sure to check out the Facebook page to ensure you don’t need to register that day. Registration was a requirement on Sunday, Nov 13. Also, make sure to park in the lot as the website claims you will be towed if you park at nearby businesses. For more info on the mall’s grand opening, visit Facebook.com/asiamallmn.