Shopping in Asian markets

[Tiggeroo]

Do you do this? What do you buy? Is there any reason to be concerned about foods packaged in other countries? How do you handle the language barrier?

 

[laurie31]

I never thought about health concerns. I certainly could be wrong (since I"ve never checked into it) but I assumed all grocery stores in the US had to adhere to certain standards. However, I've been buying food from Asian groceries for 20+ years and never had any issues.

The only really gross thing I had happen at a grocery store was at a well-known American chain grocery store, and it was a one-time thing. (a fly was in my steak! Ewwwwww! Inside the shrink wrap! Yes, they apologized like mad dogs.)

Anyway, I like Chinese and Thai foods, and I like sushi too, and it's easier and cheaper to buy some of the ingredients at Asian stores. I buy sushi rice, sauces, such as hosin sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar; bamboo sprouts, tofu, the tiny little pieces of corn, shiitake mushrooms, and nuts. They have great prices on cashews!

As for the language barrier, I've never had a problem handing the clerk my money and getting back the correct change. I don't even recall noticing whether they spoke to me in English or not. Some of the products are a mystery to figure out, but most of them are either labeled in Chinese and English, or it's pretty obvious what it is without reading the label.

Try it out - it's fun to experiment with new ingredients!

 

[*BTMRR*]

I shop at large Asian markets very often and have never had a problem.
And if you're concerned, check labels and you will see that many of the products are actually made in the USA.
I buy dumplings and sauces, spice mixes (curries, rices), snacks, noodles, and lots of fresh produce. I will say I do wash the fresh produce extra thoroughly since I imagine that the source may not be a place where hygiene in the fields is the very best, but I don't know if that's really an issue or not.

I do stick to Asian markets that are large and busy and sell products quickly. Same way with American style grocery stores--I know which ones to avoid because of expired stuff on the shelves, etc.
I have never had an issue with a language barrier.

 

[MomofKatie]

I love shopping at the Super G market in town!! I'd say it is about 65% Asian, 30% Hispanic, with a little Indian and Caribbean thrown in. there is a large fresh produce section, and a HUGE seafood section. There is also a fresh meat section.

I haven't tried to buy any meat or seafood, mainly because there are so many different items that I wouldn't know what to do with. I have purchased lots of produce there-most is great, but every once in a while, I find some fruit to be lower quality than at the US chains.

I love to just browse the aisles and buy interesting items- I usually figure out how to use them when I am home (or find a recipe online that uses that particular ingerdient). DD likes all the fun Asian candy and cookies- and we can find some snacks that are sold at the China and Japan pavilions, like Shrimp flavored chips.

Staples I can find much cheaper than at the US grocery chains include: soy sauce, fish sauce, coconut milk, jasmine rice, noodles, fresh herbs, fresh peppers, prepackaged spices, and Asian sauces (hoisin, black bean, oyster, etc).

 

[PrincessBelle09]

Oh gosh, I loooove Asian markets! I especially love their sodas and super sugary fruit drinks and all of the different kinds of ramen available.

I will say that buying most of the products I love there is a lowering of food health standards for me, but in my experience, they also have really good, inexpensive produce.

 

[tasha99]

I shop at a couple Asian markets frequently for things like korean red pepper paste, various bean pastes, fish sauce, seaweed, wasabi, assorted noodles, etc. If I can't find what I'm looking for, I ask a clerk. It helps that I studied Japanese and Korean (and lived in both countries) years and years ago--I can often suss out what a Chinese food is since the characters are often similar in all three languages. REally though--ask someone. In my experience, they love to help

I wouldn't worry about food safety except that you might have a hard time avoiding msg (I only know how to identify it in Japanese, and ingredients aren't always listed anyway)

 

[allyphoe]

Mango juice (the only brand DD likes is from the Vietnamese grocery - we've tried all the Latin American varieties available closer to us). Udon noodles. Ramen noodles. Rice noodles. Coconut milk (cheaper). Sriracha / chili garlic sauce / soy sauce / hoisin. Sometimes satay sauce or Thai curry paste. Sometimes Indian-style (Madras) curry powder. Rice in the 50-pound bag. Ma po tofu sauce. Sometimes frozen dim sum. Ginger / garlic / herbs (way cheaper). Bean sprouts (cheaper if you want the giant quantities they come in). Wasabi peas. Gummy candy. Egg roll cookies. DD gets costume jewelry.

I personally don't worry about food safety, but that's just me.

I've never had a language barrier. You pick out what you want, put it on the counter, and pay your money.

 

[HOGFAN]

I would go in our but DD said it smells horrible...

 

[Tiggeroo]

What do you make? I bought a bunch of asian noodles, some sobi noodles, chilli garlic sauce, srirachi (which my sons put on averything). They didn't have a very large produce section. There are two aisles that are more americanized with lables in english and Chinese. But there are quite a few aisles that are not in English. It is the only Asian market near hear that I know of. I want to find something good to do with the asian noodles. And our Asian market does smell a bit.