Sunday, May 27, 2012

When I need some nori....by Jessica

I love Asia Mart.  It's filled with all sorts of tasty things and I always get to bring home something new to try.

I remember once, years ago, after I'd checked out and my purchases were packed in a box, the owner said "my son will help you out to your car" and she motioned her head towards a not too enthusiastically excited about helping me out to my car pre-teen boy and I said "no, it's ok..I've got it" and she said "Please.  It is good for the boy, he WILL help you to your car" and who was I to say anything else but "OK!".  I liked that, and if I owned a store I'd be making my pre-teen boy do the same.

They are always so sweet and are always incredibly helpful if you need assistance in finding anything.


The woman on the left reminds me SO much of my grandma, in looks and mannerisms as well.  So much so that sometimes after a visit I get in my car and cry a soggy little cry.  Then I pull myself together because I usually have picked up a banh mi or fresh spring roll that needs to be inhaled. 


                         


If you're loving the little packages of nori strips that Trader Joe's carries, then you need to stop, drop and roll your way over to Asia Mart.  You can get 9 packages for $3.79 - I think they are $1 a package at TJ's (they carry them at Costco too...but I'm not sure what the price is, anybody got that info?)

Zack wanted some hot sesame oil and was going to buy some at Big John's for some crazy inflated price - it was almost $4 cheaper at Asia Mart.  Some of my other usuals include: coconut milk (99¢ a can!), bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, rice wine vinegar, shoyu, nori (sprinkle and strip), fresh ginger, fresh lemongrass, shiitake mushrooms, mochi with red bean paste, Sapporo Ichiban, red curry paste, miso, and noodles of every shape and size.

Anyone else have a favorite Asian food store?





10 comments:

Mirjam de Rijk said...

Thank you for this info, I have driven by that store a 1000 times, always wondering how it was, now I have to check it out. I usually get my asian style foods at G&G

Jessica said...

G&G has great ingredients and prices as well...

Becky said...

I love Asia Mart!!! I know what you mean about your grandma... I have an Italian market I go to and the lady reminds me of my grandma, similar sauce too. It melts (and mends) my heart. Oh, and where do you get your banh mi? Do they have them at Asia mart and I just don't know? There are so many things I don't know about in there!

Jessica said...

Becky, yes they have banh mi on the counter at Asia Mart that someone brings in to sell...BUT...they sell out pretty quick and early in the day, so it's rare that they are there.

Jeni Perkins said...

My Korean mother-in-law says she likes the market in Cotati best, just east off 101. I don't know the name of it, but we stop sometimes for fresh kimchee, nori, & big bags of rice :) By the way, she says the best Korean restaurant around here is right next to the Whole Foods on Yulupa.

Anonymous said...

Costco has 12 of those packets for like $9.95 something like that but not more then 10 bucks

Amanda B. said...

I frequent this same Asia Mart as well. They carry some Dutch foods and also a lot of the Indonesian foods that I grew up on :)

Marcella said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marcella said...

Asia Mart is King!!! I need to go there asap. Still giggling about the two types of nori you buy...why am I so immature?! ;)

Unknown said...

Palama Market for Korean, Don Quijote (AKA Daiei AKA Holiday Mart) for Japanese and everything else!

Although if I am ever in California I should go stop by an Asia Mart. Prices probably still alot cheaper than in Hawaii.