Comments on: The growing ethnic market scene

By: Lindsey Nair

Lindsey Nair — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:06:24 +0000

You are not too late, Laura, and that is extremely helpful information. Thank you!

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:15:47 +0000

I hope I’m not too late with this, but I wanted to report that I passed by a Hispanic grocery called La Preferida on Hershberger (across from Crossroads Mall) earlier today. I was headed elsewhere so I didn’t stop in, but thought you’d want to know so you could add them to your list.

By: Elena DeRosa

Elena DeRosa — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:17:27 +0000

I’m still waiting for an Italian Salumeria to open up!!!

By: Lindsey Nair

Lindsey Nair — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:31:47 +0000

Vickie and Kim, my intention is to do an update column about ethnic markets since it has been so long since I’ve done one. I will include all addresses and an idea of what each place has to offer. You are correct, Kim, that you can often find ingredients for better prices at these stores. Stay tuned to the Front Burner column on Wednesdays.

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:22:16 +0000

I’ve been meaning to stop in some of these places since I hear you can get great staples like rice, noodles, and spices much cheaper and in larger quantities. I would love some recommendations!

By: Bjoe

Bjoe — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:36:43 +0000

I’ve had durian… it tastes nothing like custard. The texture is similar, but I’ve heard it described as “eating a peach in an outhouse.”

Global Foods in Blacksburg has moved to Kabrich St. and there is a new small asian market across the street, but I don’t know it’s name. Kabrich is the same street as Heavener Hardware, if you need a point of reference.

By: Vickie

Vickie — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:47:58 +0000

I love Asian markets, but am unfamiliar with any in Roanoke. Hoping to see some addresses here!

By: Lindsey Nair

Lindsey Nair — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 19:09:46 +0000

Thanks, RJ! Oriental Market was my first favorite ethnic market in Roanoke because it is so close to my house. I still shop there in addition to some of the other stores I mentioned. I saw durian fruit last time I was at World Wide Food Market, too.
I just remembered that there’s a good Indian market called Ambika on Brambleton Avenue (on the Bent Mountain side of U.S. 220). I have purchased curry powder and garam masala at far less than I would pay at the grocery store.
I’m surprised more people haven’t commented on this thread. I hope it doesn’t mean folks are not shopping at these ethnic markets, because if so they sure are missing out.

By: RJ

RJ — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:10:08 +0000

I really like the Oriental Market on Williamson Rd. About once a month, I come in from eastern Bedford County to stock up on all kinds of sauces, get big bags of fresh mung bean sprouts, baby Bok Choi, Asian mustard greens, lemon grass (which comes conveniently shredded in a plastic container in a refrigerated case) and an extensive list of rice noodles, as well as wheat soba noodles. They also stock baby octopus (delicious!), which we marinate and grill. Once, I even saw a durian fruit there, but have yet to try that. In some regions in Asia, it is against the law to consume durian in public because of its foul odor (but I understand the fruit tastes like custard). The owners are very pleasant and the prices are reasonable, which has kept me coming back for more than two years. It’s a fun, exotic shopping experience!

By: Lindsey Nair

Lindsey Nair — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:16:33 +0000

I like Oasis as well, Angela. I have also been to Global Foods in Blacksburg, which I think is still open on University Blvd. I’m going to check.
In Roanoke, off the top of my head, I know of:
J&L on Brambleton
Taipei on Peters Creek Rd.
On Williamson Rd.: Oriental Market, Saigon Market, Mediterranean Goods Market, La Estrella Latina, Blue Nile Halal Foods, World Wide Food Market, La Bodeguita Hispana.