Have you been to an Asian grocery store?

[OceanAnnie]

If so, what do you you like to buy there? I stopped by today looking for a few things. I know I looked like a deer caught in headlights. Lots of cool things. Some good prices. I know I'll go back!

I was surprised that some items had very, very high sodium.

What do you buy when you go to an Asian grocery store?

 

[wendy46001]

Normally fresh noodles
DH just buys candy

The one near us also has a large selection of fresh fish which my in-laws partake in
but I just dont have the cooking skills to attempt anything still swimming

 

[JoiseyMom]

We buy produce. Lots of great prices!

 

[Cindy B]

Lots of Asian groceries around here.

I usually buy produce, noodles, sauces and occasionally anything that looks interesting (for a while it was fresh rice cakes).

I haven't been in a while.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Produce, fish, rice (we're rice snobs and the selection is better and better prices), noodles, and sushi-making supplies.

We also do a walk through the candy and snack foods and generally pick up a couple things. I have a Hi-Chew (a chewy candy similar to Starbursts but much better flavor and texture) addiction so I generally end up with a few packs of that.

 

[JessicaR]

I buy Panko, wanton wraps, plum sauce, black sesame seeds, Udon noodles, pickled ginger, chili sauce and anything else I need to make a new recipe I want to try!

I am like you when I go - deer in the headlights. So many things and dont know what most of them are.

 

[pigletgirl]

We have a few. I never can get over the smell. But I still get things I need such as chili sauce and whatnot. They're much cheaper than at the grocery store.

 

[Lehuaann]

Lap Cheong (Chinese sausage), Kamaboko (fish cake), Cha Sui (marinade), Li Hing (cracked seed), Kimchi, fresh watercress, rice noodles, oyster sauce, Botan rice, wonton wraps, pickled mango/ginger/etc...too much to list.

We can find a few of the mainstream items (rice, noodles) at our local grocery.

 

[staley7580]

Generally we just get produce and noodles and such. Oh.. and candy. They have dried mango that is salted with chili peppers on it.. YUM! We took my sister in law in with us when she first moved in with us, and she almost puked in the aisle! She is from a SMALL town in Germany, and they have nothing like that there. The smell from the fresh Kimche lady just did her in. We were DYING!

 

[SueInBoston]

Produce, fish, ramen, udon, sauces, chicken bouillon, chinese sausages (lap cheong), tofu, precut meat for hot pot, fish balls.

THis is my basic grocery list and then I pick up whatever looks good.

 

[java]

I bought a huge Chinese mesh strainer for $2
I love the housewares section I always find something cool.

 

[scrapquitler]

If so, what do you you like to buy there? I stopped by today looking for a few things. I know I looked like a deer caught in headlights. Lots of cool things. Some good prices. I know I'll go back!

I was surprised that some items had very, very high sodium.

What do you buy when you go to an Asian grocery store?

Candies, lots of interesting kinds.

Also, spices. The one I've been to sells like a half pound of whole cloves for about $7. My grocery store sells about 1 oz worth for the same price.

 

[liamsaunt]

Off the top of my head: dark soy sauce, banana leaves, frozen dumplings, fermented black bean sauce, chili sauce, gai lan, mushrooms, chiles, rice paper wrappers, tofu.

 

[liamsaunt]

Off the top of my head: dark soy sauce, fermented black bean sauce, chile sauces, gai lan, banana leaves, pickled things, mushrooms, tofu, frozen dumplings.

 

[jimmalru80]

Udon noodles, Thai basil, fish sauce, lemongrass and bean sprouts come to mind.

 

[JaxJags08]

Pancit canton (dry canton noodles) and Mama Sita's chop suey/canton flavoring packet - yum! I start of by stir frying onions, celery and carrots before adding the packet with water and the cooked noodles. You can also add shrimp or chicken to make a complete meal. My kids love this!

I also buy patis (fish sauce), jasmine rice and soy sauce - the authentic brands are so much better than what I find in my grocery store.

Oh - and Pocky! A little biscuit stick coated in chocolate (or other flavors) - super yummy! They do sell these at my regular grocery store, though.

 

[Talking Hands]

Soba, kimchee, mushrooms, baby bok choy and any other produce that looks good. Curry, candy, sauces and teas, snacks and noodles and much more

 

[mariolatry]

Kimchi
Soy sauce and sesame oil by the gallon
Sushi rice
Ramen
Chili paste
Chili powder
Soybean paste
Tofu
Xylitol gum
ground pork
fish
cuts of pork and beef that I can't get at typical supermarket (for Korean cooking)
produce, but especially spinach and Asian pears

 

[charming23]

I always get soy sauce, produce, fortune cookies, rice, shrimp chips, and tamari.

 

[OceanAnnie]

You guys get some interesting things!

Now, if you would be so kind as to share some recipes for the culinary challenged...


Oh, they had the most humongous shrimp spring rolls, 3 of them with the sauce for less than $2.50. What a deal! I plan to pick up some soon.