Front Burner: Exploring ethnic markets
An aisle at Saigon Market on Williamson Road. Photo by Stephanie Klein-Davis | The Roanoke Times.
Late last year, I promised blog readers that I would revisit the subject of ethnic markets in the Roanoke and New River valleys. It had been about five years since I shared a comprehensive list with my readers, so I thought it was time to get out there and do a little scouting and update that list.
The result is what you see in today’s Front Burner column in Extra. Although the column includes a pretty long list of markets, I know for a fact that I’ve missed something. That’s because these markets are the kinds of businesses most people — including myself — discover either by word-of-mouth or by driving by and deciding to stop in. I hope that if you know of a market I’ve missed you’ll give me a little word-of-mouth so I can share it.
Also, while I reviewed five new-to-me markets in today’s paper, I discovered a sixth one after it was too late to get it in the story. I’d like to tell you a little bit about that market below (click “Read More”). To read the column and see the list, please click here. To see a recipe for Thai Curry, click here.
The Grocer
621-A Townside Road SW, Roanoke
981-0888
This ethnic market and convenience store is located next door to Fiji Island restaurant in Roanoke. The sign says it is an Asian market, which is a bit confusing. When I went inside, I saw mostly Mediterranean and Middle Eastern products.
Nevertheless, this is a great little market. It was the first time I’ve ever had an owner approach me and ask if I needed any help finding a particular product. He said if the customer has a recipe, he can help them find the ingredients. He even showed me some of the unusual produce he had, which included tiny cucumbers about as big as a Tootsie Roll. He threw in a handful of them for free so I could try them.
This store has a wide variety of Middle Eastern snack mixes, produce, rice, meal mixes, cookies and other baked goods, ghee, flours, dried beans and lentils. And unlike any other ethnic market I’ve visited in Roanoke, this one sells beer. It’s probably because the store is located near so many apartments, but it would be nice to pick up a six-pack of Tsingtao to go with your spicy dinner.
January 23, 2013 - 10:22 AM
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Still nothing Italian…sigh.
I just noticed that place at Townside for the first time today on the way to work…can’t wait to check it out.
I’ll have to check that place at Townside out, too.
Is Slon still open? I didn’t see it listed.
I really enjoy visiting different ethnic markets. I am very brave with food and always try new things. Anything from chicken feet to canned roasted eel. Fermented and preserved cabbage is good, so is squid jerky. Only things I have tried and didn’t like we’re natto ( it reminds me of how hair smells when it is being blow dried) and sweet and spicy anchovies.. Give me anchovies any other way and I’ll devour them.
When the oriential fresh market was open we would go in on the day new shipments arrived and buy shrimp and green onion rice crepes… And in the summer we’d also get these crunchy little coconut jellos (rau cau dau). Yumyum! Oh how I would love to have a shrimp crepe right now.
Maria, SLON is still open. The only reason I haven’t been there is every time I go, they are closed. Now that I know they are only open Friday through Sunday, I will know when to go so I can check out their offerings. Still, I should have included them on the list. Thanks for the reminder.
Another reader has sent me info about Hong Kong Market at Crossroads Mall. That’s located in the stand-alone section of shops in front of Books-a-Million. I am going to visit that market, too. Updates will come!
Elena, just out of curiosity, what products would you most want to find in an Italian market?
Lindsey, something like this would be perfect…make sure to look at the slide show to get a better feel. http://nymag.com/listings/stores/d_coluccio_and_sons/