Global cuisine isn’t new to Richmond, but accessibility of ingredients is. When it comes to sourcing bitter melon or Chinese broccoli, halal meats, Indian spices or bento accessories for the lunch box, it’s easy to think global and buy local.
Here are five of my favorites.
West End, Asian: Tan A Supermarket
6221 W. Broad St. (804) 285-3569, 9 a.m.-9.p.m., 7 days
Tan A is frequented by gourmets for its selection of produce at rock-bottom prices. Look for four kinds of eggplant or fresh mushrooms, herbs in air-filled bags to prevent bruising, as well as veggies and gourds used in Asian cuisine, such as bitter melon or choy sum tips. Aisles of dried noodles and bottled sauces lead to the meat department, where duck legs for confit are $4.99 a pound.
On the hunt for a rice cooker or sushi mat? The housewares department is chock-a-block with Eastern cookware.
I’m wild about Kewpie mayo, located in the refrigerated section. It’s my secret ingredient in seafood salad or sushi rolls. Stock-up on unusual pickles and dim sum dumplings here, too.
Students, want an equation for cram dining on the cheap? Try this one—dried noodles cooked in broth or water + a poached egg (timed to cook with noodles in same pot) + bottled sauce (such as oyster sauce) = dinner (pickled veggie garnish optional). Yield: one, one-pot meal. Ingredients cost loss than $3 a serving and fit handily in a dorm room fridge.
West End, Bangladeshi-Pakistani-Middle Eastern: Taj Halal Grocery
8101 W. Broad St. (804) 270-2420, 10 a.m.-10.p.m., 7 days
Have you heard about the health benefits of low-fat goat’s meat but don’t know where to find it? Try this no-frills specialty meat market just east of Broad Street. Halal baby lamb or goat is $6.50 a pound. You’ll also find halal beef shank, veal and chicken here.
West End, Indian: Bhavani Cash & Carry
8400 W. Broad St. (804) 217-8400, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., 7 days
The spices, dried beans and heat-and-eat sauce selections are dizzying at this west of Parham Road grocery. Aisles are filled with rainbows of orange and hot pink saris, worn by the Indian expats shopping for ghee and rice flour. The best deal here is whole milk yogurt, $4.99 for five pounds. Some other finds are cases of Thumbs Up soda, a spicy Indian cola, $18.99 for 21 12-oz. glass bottles. Vita Coco coconut water, $15.99 for 12, is pallet-stacked by the register.
Bhavani is an awesome place to introduce children to Indian cuisine. Give them a $5 limit and let them select dinner from the wide selection of frozen flatbreads and samosas, then round out the meal with rice, yogurt, chutney and something green. This market reliably carries fresh pan or curry leaves in the produce department.
Southside, Latin: Big Apple World Food Market Supermercado Hispano
2916 Jefferson Davis Highway (804) 233-6891, 7 days
Ok, this place is whiffy. I’ve never been here without being reminded of the metallic, earthy, smell of the inside of a change jar. But the Apple can’t be beat for organ meat. The house-made chorizo is excellent. For the adventurous cook, the meat department carries chicken feet, necks and gizzards; whole sheep or cow heads; pork tongue, liver and kidneys. Male shoppers grow uncomfortable near the refrigerated packages of huevo de toro, which translates to "bull fries." For the unadventurous, limes are six for a dollar in the produce section, where you can also find a nice selection of raw ingredients for Hispanic cooking. Shop here for cactus leaves, poblano peppers and tamarind.
Carytown, Japanese: Tokyo Market
2820 W. Cary St. (804) 353-2078, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m.
Now that the kinds are back in school, keeping lunchtime interesting can be a challenge. The Japanese art of bento, small portions of varied foods presented attractively, is cultivated here. Tokyo Market’s impressive array of bento cutters and doll-sized squeeze bottles make for child-sized charm. Tofu, dried seaweed and miso pastes provide quick-and-easy thermos soups.
A jewel-box display of whimsical tea sets and chopsticks is located next to practical tea whisks and powders. Huge selection of cellphone charms for teens.
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