I haven't shopped at Ralphs, Vons or Albertsons for quite a few years now. Actually, I started looking for alternatives ever since the 2003-2004 union strike. The strike made it uncomfortable for me to shop at those mainstream supermarkets, and after it was over, I looked at the prices: The mainstream markets are just plain more expensive. Trader Joe's is the closest market to me, so it's my go-to place to buy grocery necessities.
However, being an Asian Amerian who grew up in North Africa, I constantly need to replenish my refrigerator and cupboard with specialty ingredients: Rice, of course, soy sauce, udon sauce, siracha hot sauce, kim chee, soba, rice noodles, dried shitake mushrooms, cumin seeds, peppers, daikons, Chinese greens, mustard greens, and many more. Sure, the mainstream markets usually carry a few of these items under the "ethnic foods" category, but the selections are usually limited. Fortunately, there are a few markets here on the West side that, as a whole suffice. It takes time to shop several places though, but the selection and price are worth it.
Mitsuwa: 3760 S. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066. I go here for the sashimi grade fish to make sushi with. They have delicious prepared lunches such as rice bowls, sushi rolls, onigiri rice balls as well as a good selection of tofu, udon, Japanese and Chinese sauces. They have a good selection of sake and Japanese beer, tea and snack. Vegetable-wise, I like their cucumbers and mushroom selections. You can always find enoki, oyster, shitake, king trumpet and shimeji mushrooms. There is also a food court outside the market with stores where you can get a hot bowls of ramen, udon, katsu don and tempura. Great place to grab a quick lunch.
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| Sushi selection from Mitsuwa |
Top Valu Market, 4700 Inglewood Blvd, Culver City. I just discovered this wonderful place recently. The grocery selection here is amazing. Although it is a Mexican supermarket, I can find plenty of the ingredients I need to prepare Asian, Mexican, or other food. Top Valu carries a great selection of peppers, both fresh and dried. I love their jalapenos, poblanos, and bell peppers. I love to roast the poblano peppers, peel and slice them and then marinate them with soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic. Also, where can you ever find rapini in any of the traditional markets? Top Valu carries it all the time and I cook pasta with it. They have the freshest cilantros, scallions and radishes at a reasonable price. By reasonable, I mean at least 30% off the mainstream supermarket prices. Top Valu also sells a wide selection of prepared salsa, flan, guacamole, crema, and ceviche. It has a bakery with all kinds of bread. I always go for the 4 for a dollar rolls and use them to make Vietnamese style vegetarian bahn mi.
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| Salsa, guacamole, and ceviche from Top Valu |
Payless International Market, 10817 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034. I go to this small market to get my fix of middle eastern fare. This place has inexpensive groceries, but the freshness is a bit of a hit or miss. However, it always carries a great selection of pita bread, halal meats, bulgar wheat, couscous, garbanzo beans, and delicious fava beans when in season. It is also the only place where I have found small cans of the middle eastern hot sauce, harisa. I use harisa to make tuna sandwiches and stew for couscous all the time.
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| Middle Eastern Payless Produce with Halal meat |
Finally, if I have the energy and I'm not in a hurry, I will venture out of the Westside and make a run to the Galleria in Koreatown (3250 W Olympic Blvd #100 Los Angeles, CA 90006)
to get kimchee, soft rice sticks, pre-marinated galbi and bulgogi, as well as the prepared Korean side dishes called banchan. They also have fantastic Asian melon, vegetable and fruit selections.
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| Korean grocery store at the Galleria. |
If I'm crazier, I'll drive to the 99 Ranch Market 6450 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Van Nuys,CA in Van Nuys to get my fix of Chinese ingredients such as preserved tofu, vegetarian gluten, spices, pickles, and fresh baby bok choy and pea pods.
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| Chinese grocery store, 99 Ranch Market |
As you can tell, grocery shopping for me is a multi store event each week. On top of all the ethnic markets, I still go to Costco to buy household supplies, canned soups and fresh fish. Life of an Asian American stay at home mom.
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