Asian grocery stores are wondrous places where you can typically find a wide variety of hidden treasures you might not be able to unearth at your traditional grocery store or supermarket.
Have you grown fond of shopping at your local Asian grocery store? Asian grocery stores are wondrous places where you can typically find a wide variety of hidden treasures you might not be able to unearth at your traditional grocery store or supermarket. What must-have items should you be on the lookout for the next time you visit an Asian grocery store? Let’s find out.
Unusual Fruits
You might be familiar with apples, pears, and tomatoes, that you get at your closest supermarket. But an American-style supermarket might not carry the exotic fruits that an international supermarket would. What are some of the fruits we mean?
- Lychee
- Asian pears
- Jackfruit
- Persimmons
While these fruits may make for appealing appetizers during your next weekend get-together (perhaps to have friends over for mahjong?) you should also keep your main course in mind. For meats and seafood dishes, you might want to find some sauce.
Exciting Sauces
After a while, even your go-to hot sauces and barbecue sauces will start to taste boring. Instead, try livening up your next meal with some of the different sauces you can find at Asian grocery stores. For instance, if you crave the ever-delicious Korean barbecue that you think you can only get from food trucks or restaurants, come on down to your local Asian market. There, you can find marinades for galbi and bulgogi. While you’re in the store, track down some gochujang paste or sesame oil to kick your next soup or salad up a notch.
Unconventional Munchies
Are you in the mood for a snack, but don’t want the same old chips or crackers? Why not try something new and less conventional or ho-hum? You know those chips that come in a tube, and you can’t have just one? Well instead of sour cream and onion or jalapeno, you can find flavors such as seaweed or shrimp that cater to a different set of tastes. Also, take a chance on shrimp chips. These look like fries, but they are simply shrimp-flavored. And don’t worry if you have a shellfish allergy because these chips don’t contain any actual shrimp meat in them.
Quick Meal Ideas
Sure, there are plenty of instant rice packets and boxes of macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes you could get from your local superstore conglomerate, but why would you pass up instant noodles, easy miso soup mix, and boxes of curry? Bring something fresh into your kitchen today. You can also find dumplings that cook quickly, whether you want to boil them or fry them.
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 locations in Maryland and Virginia, this growing market is always expanding and opening new markets to better serve our customers. Open since 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, email us at LottePlaza.com.