Getting groceries generally isn't a life-changing experience. it's basically "the list" — an important thing to have when shopping — and hitting the local mega-mart.
Find a parking space, pick up a basket and march resolutely through the doors, determined not to spend any more than necessary to keep the herd well fed. Again, not a particularly life-changing experience.
There are, however, options: markets that provide interesting and remarkable choices as well as entertainment for those who are prepared to broaden their culinary horizons. Asian markets — there are many to choose from in the ie — are an excellent place to find such an adventure.
Several large chain stores provide the expected groceries and dry goods, but also sushi, prepared foods, bakery items, Asian cooking utensils and a variety of small side businesses. A shopper might drop off dry cleaning, find a perfume and buy a Hula-Hoop — all in a single visit. Granted, none of that is culinary, but it is convenient.
Some markets target specific segments of the Asian community.
The 99 Ranch Market carries a large selection of Chinese products as well as Korean, Filipino and Japanese items.
Marukai aims for the Japanese and Hawaiian communities; it also carries items that appeal to other Asian groups.
The Super H Mart carries Korean products along with other Asian selections. Many
of the smaller markets don't try to serve the mass market, and instead stick to their own communities.
Upon entering one of these large stores, a first-time visitor might be struck with the realization that many of the signs inside are in a foreign language. This shouldn't come as a surprise — it is, after all, an Asian market.
But don't worry, there are usually English subtitles. Even if there aren't, that just adds to the adventure.
The size of the produce department can be striking. Besides the usual fruits and vegetables found at the corner grocery store, there's a plethora of new and exciting things to try: Chinese broccoli, dragon fruit, long beans, lotus root, fuzzy squash, Thai okra and just about every kind of mushroom imaginable.
Want more? There's fresh fish. It's so fresh, some of it is still swimming.
Live Maine lobsters and crabs, black sea bass and catfish glide around in their own tanks just waiting for a hungry shopper
to pick them for dinner.
For those who don't want their seafood that fresh, recently caught fish and shrimp are on ice nearby to keep them as cool
as possible.
For those who are really hungry, some stores will clean and scale the fish and — this is great — cook it right there. Now that's more service than your average store.
Most of the stores also have large meat departments with well-schooled butchers who offer surprises in addition to traditional fare.
Chicken feet, pig ears and snouts, even cow hooves are displayed alongside the flank steaks and ground round. One can find whole oxtail and have it cut for oxtail soup, and all kinds of meats and poultry can be shaved paper-thin for stir-frys.
In the refrigerated area, there's fresh pasta of every shape and kind: soba noodles, vermicelli and pasta, dumplings stuffed with all kinds of delicious goodies — shrimp, chicken, pork, veggies. It's hard to choose, so pick up one of everything.
Some noodles are perfect for stir-frying and others are more suited to soup. There are wheat flour noodles, rice flour noodles, bean threads, yam noodles and those thin rice noodles that burst to four times their size when dropped into hot oil. For pasta freaks, the possibilities are endless.
The usual canned foods include the addition of things like straw mushrooms, baby corn and litchi nuts.
And the sauce aisle is amazing.
Whereas most national retailers might have a few to select from, Asian markets have dozens of different sauces. Not just soy sauce, but also oyster sauces, black bean sauces, super hot chili sauces and
so many more.
There are multitudes of vinegars and rice wines and soup bases. The only thing to watch out for is the MSG levels. For those with allergies, it's a good idea to check the ingredients list before making a purchase.
Most stores carry a large number of dried mushrooms, sea weed and vegetables.
There are bags of shitaki mushrooms
that weigh little or nothing, but when rehydrated will probably feed an army.
This, by the way, is a much more economical way to buy exotic mushrooms.
And Asian markets don't fall short when it comes to the beverage departments either. There are dozens of different
non-alcoholic drinks as well as myriad offerings of sake, beer and wines.
Yes, visiting an Asian market can seem like a quick trip to the Orient, but it's considerably less expensive.
Of course, not every Asian market offers all of the things mentioned. Smaller stores will probably stick to the basics, but it's worth the trip for those who want
to broaden their horizons.
Places to explore
99 Ranch Market
2959 Chino Ave., Chino Hills; 909-517-3288, 1015 Nogales St., Rowland Heights; 626-964-5888 For other locations, visit www.99ranch.com
Marukai
1420 S. Azusa Ave., West Covina; 626-430-0900, www.marukai.com and other locations
Super H Mart
2825 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar; 909-839-0300, www.hmart.com
Getting groceries generally isn't a life-changing experience. it's basically "the list" — an important thing to have when shopping — and hitting the local mega-mart.
Find a parking space, pick up a basket and march resolutely through the doors, determined
not to spend any more than necessary to keep the herd well fed. Again, not a particularly life-changing experience.
There are, however, options: markets that provide interesting and remarkable choices as well as entertainment for those who are prepared to broaden their culinary horizons. Asian markets — there are many to choose from in the ie — are an excellent place to find such an adventure.
Several large chain stores provide the expected groceries and dry goods, but also sushi, prepared foods, bakery items, Asian cooking utensils and a variety of small side businesses. A shopper might drop off dry cleaning, find a perfume and buy a Hula-Hoop — all in a single visit. Granted, none of that is culinary, but it is convenient.
Some markets target specific segments of the Asian community.
The 99 Ranch Market carries a large selection of Chinese products as well as Korean, Filipino and Japanese items.
Marukai aims for the Japanese and Hawaiian communities; it also carries items that appeal to other Asian groups.
The Super H Mart carries Korean products along with other Asian selections. Many
of the smaller markets don't try to serve the mass market, and instead stick to their own communities.
Upon entering one of these large stores, a first-time visitor might be struck with the realization that many of the signs inside are in a foreign language. This shouldn't come as a surprise — it is, after all, an Asian market.
But don't worry, there are usually English subtitles. Even if there aren't, that just adds to the adventure.
The size of the produce department can be striking. Besides the usual fruits and vegetables found at the corner grocery store, there's a plethora of new and exciting things to try: Chinese broccoli, dragon fruit, long beans, lotus root, fuzzy squash, Thai okra and just about every kind of mushroom imaginable.
Want more? There's fresh fish. It's so fresh, some of it is still swimming.
Live Maine lobsters and crabs, black sea bass and catfish glide around in their own tanks just waiting for a hungry shopper
to pick them for dinner.
For those who don't want their seafood that fresh, recently caught fish and shrimp are on ice nearby to keep them as cool
as possible.
For those who are really hungry, some stores will clean and scale the fish and — this is great — cook it right there. Now that's more service than your average store.
Most of the stores also have large meat departments with well-schooled butchers who offer surprises in addition to traditional fare.
Chicken feet, pig ears and snouts, even cow hooves are displayed alongside the flank steaks and ground round. One can find whole oxtail and have it cut for oxtail soup, and all kinds of meats and poultry can be shaved paper-thin for stir-frys.
In the refrigerated area, there's fresh pasta of every shape and kind: soba noodles, vermicelli and pasta, dumplings stuffed with all kinds of delicious goodies — shrimp, chicken, pork, veggies. It's hard to choose, so pick up one of everything.
Some noodles are perfect for stir-frying and others are more suited to soup. There are wheat flour noodles, rice flour noodles, bean threads, yam noodles and those thin rice noodles that burst to four times their size when dropped into hot oil. For pasta freaks, the possibilities are endless.
The usual canned foods include the addition of things like straw mushrooms, baby corn and litchi nuts.
And the sauce aisle is amazing.
Whereas most national retailers might have a few to select from, Asian markets have dozens of different sauces. Not just soy sauce, but also oyster sauces, black bean sauces, super hot chili sauces and
so many more.
There are multitudes of vinegars and rice wines and soup bases. The only thing to watch out for is the MSG levels. For those with allergies, it's a good idea to check the ingredients list before making a purchase.
Most stores carry a large number of dried mushrooms, sea weed and vegetables.
There are bags of shitaki mushrooms
that weigh little or nothing, but when rehydrated will probably feed an army.
This, by the way, is a much more economical way to buy exotic mushrooms.
And Asian markets don't fall short when it comes to the beverage departments either. There are dozens of different
non-alcoholic drinks as well as myriad offerings of sake, beer and wines.
Yes, visiting an Asian market can seem like a quick trip to the Orient, but it's considerably less expensive.
Of course, not every Asian market offers all of the things mentioned. Smaller stores will probably stick to the basics, but it's worth the trip for those who want
to broaden their horizons.
Places to explore
99 Ranch Market
2959 Chino Ave., Chino Hills; 909-517-3288, 1015 Nogales St., Rowland Heights; 626-964-5888 For other locations, visit www.99ranch.com
Marukai
1420 S. Azusa Ave., West Covina; 626-430-0900, www.marukai.com and other locations
Super H Mart
2825 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar; 909-839-0300, www.hmart.com
taste | food
