This month we bring you the third part of our series on Ethnic Foods. For those of you who missed the first two parts of this wonderful series, here is a brief introduction as to how this series began - We at Mosaic have wanted to do an article on Ethnic Foods, a write-up on where to find authentic foodstuff from our home countries. Food is an eternal theme, and very often at WBFN we hear each other tipping: “I discovered a terrific store where they sell.....” We wanted our members to lay out their inside knowledge on this universal theme. They did, and so, this series began. This month, Vim Maguire our regular contributor of restaurant reviews gives you her inside tips on where to get good quality products for various cuisines and Vidya gives you some of her tips on Asian groceries at Grandmart. Hope you enjoy reading this and feel motivated to share with other Mosaic readers your information on where to find authentic foodstuff from your native place in the DC Metro area. 

High-quality products at first-class rates in local stores

Super H and H Mart both Korean stores carry a variety of food items both from Asia and South America. I took a group of ladies from the WBFN to Super H last year, and we were given a tour by a young Korean man. Super H stocks an excellent variety of Chinese, Japanese and other conventional Asian products. During the tour we learned a lot about Asian cuisine and products from him. The prices at these stores compared to some other grocery stores are, inexpensive. Both these Korean stores sell sea food, and reasonably priced meat which is mostly beef, pork or chicken. There is an amazingly wide variety of nuts available in these stores. I sometimes buy long beans and baby egg plants from them. Their complete selection of supermarket products is endless.  There is a restaurant in the store where you may enjoy Korean, Japanese or Chinese food.

I buy my Middle Eastern goodies at Halal or the Lebanese butcher in Falls Church. They have all the ingredients for Middle Eastern cooking. Also, they carry good quality Halal meats.

There are very few Srilankan grocery stores around the D.C. metro area. Dhana Bazaar and a few other Indian stores carry a small shelf of Srilankan groceries. I do a lot of international cooking. So, when the farmers’ market is in session, I buy all my vegetables, fruits, wild mushrooms, brioche, eggs and meat from them once a week. They usually carry whatever is in season. I truly am a market person. I do not miss any Saturday at the farmers’ market. It is a bit expensive but it is very very fresh. 

Vim Maguire 

Grandmart—a one-stop shop for all grocery needs

Grandmart is another Asian supermarket chain where you can find a wide variety of inexpensive fruits and vegetables. Their product range is mind-boggling. From bok-choy to banana-flower and from malanga to mangoes one can find any vegetable under the sun in this huge grocery store. Although they carry an extensive variety of Asian products and have a strong Korean flavor, they also carry Latino, African and North American groceries depending on their location. Customers looking for international foodstuff will find plenty of choices at Grand Mart. Fresh Korean pears, guava, baby bananas, pomellos, authentic Asian fruits, variety of greens, herbs, and many other fresh vegetables and fruits are a staple in these stores. Aisles of teas from green to oolong, spices, rice, beans, oils and sauces provide a wide range of wholesome options, as do a number of other soy based products. You can find good quality roasted sesame seed oil and other Chinese sauces too. Fresh tofu is available along with complete dairy and frozen foods. The supermarket has an extensive meat and poultry section and the store butchers prepare cuts of beef, pork and chicken for Asian style cooking.

Vidya