asian – M's Adventures

East Asian Grocery Stores in Rome

April 18, 2021January 20, 2023M's Adventures

*******updated June 20, 2022********* This article is mainly about the Chinese and Korean (and Philippine) grocery stores in Rome (there are many Bangladeshis in Rome and many run the local produce shops). For more, read this blogger’s post on the Asian grocery stores in Rome. Almost all the Asian grocery stores are located near the Termini train station where there are many other Chinese shops selling non-food items. This area also has stores with supplies from parts of Africa and other parts of the world.

I get lots of questions about where to buy cilantro, as it is a big part of Southeast Asian cuisine and Mexican food, so I’ll include a point about that (it tastes like soap to me so I can’t stand it. Someone should start an Instagram just for cilantro…)

Back to the Asian stores. One thing that all these stores sell is a plethora of ramen. Who knew there were so many types?

This a tiny segment of the walls of ramen.

Asia Supermarket, Via Ricasoli 20: The entrance/exit is badly planned, and this shop is bigger than it appears. Fresh vegetables, fresh tofu, cooking utensils, fish sauce, etc.

Xin Ye Gruppo, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 34: Mostly dry goods but it’s bigger than it looks so you can find rice paper, ground cumin, fresh ginger, soldering tools, and bowls, etc.

La Famiglia (Korean store), Via Filippo Turati 102: Located in a courtyard, you must leave the busy street and go into the building’s courtyard. Mostly Korean goods. No fresh vegetables.

When you see the sign, that’s where the entrance is located.

Enter and the Korean store is located in the right hand corner.

The Korean Market, Via Cavour 84: Mainly frozen and dry foods from Korea and Japan. Owners are Korean.

This store has the fanciest address on a main street. All items imported from Korea.

Nuovo Mercato Esquilino, Via Principe Amedeo 184: Famous ethnic market of Rome. It’s more like a suq or wet market.

Bok choy from my local South Asian vendor. Ask and they can usually provide. Plus, most South Asians speak English.

Unknown name, Philippino corner store, Via Calatafirmi 14/a (the street intersects with itself and this shop is on the corner – on google, it appears as Hotel Papagermano): This small shop sells dried foods but also jarred kimchi. This kimchi is the one that I like to eat.

Trionfale market, Via Andrea Doria 41 (this is not near the Termini station and is located north of the Vatican, in Prati): There are several stalls that specialize in Asian vegetables and foods, so you can find what you will need there. If you enter from the Via Andrea Doria main entrance, the staff is on your right (box # 238) almost the minute you enter the market. The stall also has noodles and other items that you might need.

Testaccio Market, Via Aldo Munazio 66b (every taxi driver knows where the market is located, or should). Has parking: Also carries cilantro at times. There is an herb staff (stall #34) that has it. Cilantro is “coriandolo” in Italian.

Many of the markets are beginning to sell exotic fruits and vegetables, and many grocery stores sell a few “international” items. I’ll update this article as I discover more.

Selli, Via dello Statuto 28/30: Is more south Asian but has many items.

Xin Shi, Via Carlo Alberto 10B: I think this store is the best. It has a wide variety including fresh vegetables.

Pacific Trading, Via Principe Eugenio 17-21

Alimentari Orientale, Via Porta Maggiore, 27

Viet – Vietnamese Food in Lima?

April 22, 2018April 29, 2018M's Adventures

IEVtaT4Iv5XnWUWBFWncfGydkrHM9iISYXj8HWwGLJL7aEpCWFFB4L08ZJVCwhVuYWSgKJY0Iff3giJmPifFYkFuysfjcV4Ju-V0O9rmqcjWF_Ymb7JjIrwRWjdUZw-efi5tY6jdOOUJNWx_bXAsxljRY-Ak-TPFA4rGp9XyWu8zvL6-QGX7CYrhXm — Summer rolls with peanut sauce.

Oddly enough, yes, but that’s not the important thing about this restaurant. Viet, located in San Borja, on Avenida Aviacion 2590, is a nice restaurant, whatever the food. It’s got a nice ambiance, it’s easy to find on Aviacion, and the staff are very friendly. The restaurant is open 12:30-11 Tuesday-Saturday and 12:30-4:30 on Sundays.

QvwKB2b10MW6j4ZVm_rdTlYNlPZ_HH9ziADE9-N1eUNX3PZ2y7wysvgbwkrrC_qR9E5k-KDQCRwEpgOuz9B8aa8rw-5zTJOA-zaGTSYgDrKsdatqtbFIvJltag0MFkc0RthaEueP-TtPeo2aA8pG-rKpZ_SqYi2DxE0AmYo_WogomhGPGqKZaZB4pX — Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.

I’d say to those who have been to Vietnam or know Vietnamese food from the U.S., don’t use those standards (for good and bad). The owners are Chinese Peruvians who decided to open a Vietnamese place. Why not? The place has been in existence for three years and the owners are thinking of opening a new location in Miraflores. I hope that they do.

6FZ2zSxfxbx0K-jNLKO3ZsZ5KNKX3j0EBkaeDGTV7jPbCIZx2mhp5L6cMyw7lnWsaJEZmanXGpP0kgsrP0YohmTmSMr4YBeByWZwBq6bFwTTrHlQAw5-hmLs4M8iOZ67cmjrghglfcoRykM4TaTpPV30MESS5OcSD0aGSDO_uNfzyrAjB9Q2AyMaBE — Pho rolls.

The pho (here they have a pho roll — as in the photo — so you can eat pho soup as a handroll) is not aromatic but it’s still a nice clean broth which can work wonders if you have a cold. That’s how I convinced a sick friend to join me. She got the chicken pho and added some Sriracha to make a chicken soup with kick!

fullsizeoutput_16a — Shaking Beef – their version of “lomo saltado” with egg.

I liked the service as the staff cut up food into shareable portions, recommended child-friendly berry ice tea, and made us feel tended to but not bothered. The tables are stocked with hand fans to cool down your soup or your face. There are coolie hats for selfies, and for those who care, I think I counted ten Asian looking people in there. Plus lots of families.

fullsizeoutput_16b — Vietnamese “crepe” but more like a mango sticky rice/bibimbap.

I’ll be back. I’m still missing a few items on the menu. The crepe, done here as an omelet on rice in a Korean earthenware pot, had coconut rice with mango and shrimp. I think this may have been the hit with my Peruvian guests. I liked the desserts including the sushi style mango sticky rice.

cykJBHv4HFvdxNuvX71hjMPH5SH8UvhPk-7XklXPPhSk6mmEvso_AXrIllTTcAlxjAalsZhN4R_rxtuVT1S4rr_Ju86kPo9dJyueGVxkFm61ikLnudV4okChBcpK5qBaIH-LPSfAfydWYdITPFJDH4Fyt9bSgeopAcYtxRNhd7kXFCqTnJLsglPnlX — Spring rolls, cut up for us to share.

L-NAOafykdaij24tpJXyGTw4d4R_OrWqNxr-j9KliENlDXFqGVy7mc4ZJ2IYFns8Q3R5yysfgbhEIjz676a5993HbT8gBACsWAnWjKhTLtO-9Rppdv7L5CWLGq3yOAJJ56j7PrUpFcGa_Ob_7JTqIXPx489xqadbQ3axBggp58n4nXis5PAv8Sb_LF — AHmazing taro (a tuber) chips.

eJdNFxbufhE9LBB6oRzdLk6dj4jtK5euShrbjJu35O2I9fT8pkuaLqYv-US8yWysjHfNXVZ5_aC6hGpMuyxDdUMEsXyp_O1exVx079DUqFDK1QSyoKusEJoEbc0_rWguKhcmXmta0h4ZJ1jUtquF7759thYppMAB5f1rNLypTix8XW8V1ZN4Mi0JPa — A view of the interior.

fullsizeoutput_169 — Mango sticky rice with the coconut sauce on the side.

fullsizeoutput_16e — Not sure of the name but it was cut up fruit with sweet airy cake.

The one dish that I would have liked is papaya salad. I will have to try a Thai place for that, I guess.

HDdCu63mppQSvubcfx-LD1r3PXGkYOhNMWmqCtMqcZztOE0NhLO3RvYxxrqkmOsWVgifmtsalC5F9cr6XY7Ii8wKE0OnbaqapkgnyrsoTVVy7NLae7E02njGY1esw08GM1cqkswmW2hkQKXZx_uHWfBIBbfhsLoT0kJLM7xNtcQuWUCRF1qETtywFf — Banh mi sandwich with taro chips.

79aqCVCgnZiSLUjsdUC-7KlzLuFAzOqHHz6uEGsVE735saJXACDNDChWubPduPqfr3WcEVDaFm3Y8XZjttwg4bfv9BU4AikAVzHYv397IlpWlGZChnsxMLgg9Of9ZX1auZCy-niW2pt05grx3zFifrvEBIipjNPqwHSbZxDkCCCSV4OdG6q2CU_IbY — Beef pho and the condiments (sriracha and hoisin sauce not pictured) and summer rolls in background.

Asian Vegetables in Bogota

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015M's Adventures

The Chinese porcelain cat with the waving paw is the give-away. In the U.S., it’s called “napa cabbage” but in Bogota, it’s called “Chinese cabbage.” Whatever it’s called, it’s almost impossible to find in Bogota, I guess because it’s not a normal part of the diet here.

I went on the hunt. I’m not sure if it’s my imagination but I feel like in the months that I’ve lived in Bogota, more and more grocery stores are offering “Asian” vegetables like napa cabbage, daikon, and leafy greens other than spinach. But, in most of the stores, the Asian vegetables are droopy and expensive (whenever I buy bok choy in the market, it’s never the tiny ones served to me at Gran China but I guess they, as a restaurant, get preference). It’s better to go to Paloquemao. In particular, “Peter’s Fruits and Vegetables – Chinese Products Available” which I call “Peter’s Chinese Vegetable” just because I think it would sound better. There are quite a few stands in the same area of the market selling asparagus, giant daikon, arugula, chives, and leafy greens.The last time I went, I bought two large backpacks worth of vegetables and it cost me 24,000 pesos (about $11). There is a separate lady who sells nothing by chiles. The other “Asian vegetable” which is hard to find even in the U.S., is perilla leaf. Maki Roll on Carrera 11 sells that.

Japanese-Korean seafood pancake with long green onion-chive vegetables.

As an aside, Peter’s also sells sweet potato (yams to Americans and “Peruvian camote” here — a sweet potato with an orange color, used in Peruvian ceviche and North American food) and kale. Some of the vendors even use the English words and if they see a foreigner, they’ll call out “kale” or “sweet potato” to attract customers.

Cucumber Kimchi – It Is Really Easy!

April 19, 2015April 19, 2015M's Adventures

Thanks to Paloquemao market, I’m able to find “Asian vegetables” to make Asian food. This includes kimchi.

Cucumber kimchi in pride of place on the table.

In Dhaka, I organized Korean cooking lessons and it was possible to buy Korean goods at the Korean mart in Dhaka (and I had my special Korean place in Dhaka to supply me). In Bogota there is no Korean supermarket with ready-to-eat small dishes (other than Maki Roll restaurant which has a few items for sale). Also, I haven’t found my kimchi source (Casa de Coreana‘s is the best in Bogota, in my opinion), so I decided that I would have to make it myself.

The recipe is easy to find on the Internet (Maangchi is one of favorite) and I used her easy recipe involving fish sauce. I made it and it was delicious!

Cucumber kimchi made by me. — Cucumber kimchi at six hours old.

Asian and Oriental Grocery Stores in Bogota – Taiwanese Bakery

August 30, 2014September 4, 2014M's Adventures

“Prepare to have your mind blown,” said Mr. X. I stepped into Afternoon Tea, a two-month old Taiwanese bakery and I was indeed bowled over to find such a delicious bakery. Their baked goods, especially the Taiwanese cream bun, were soft and sweet. They also make bubble tea (tapioca balls were pretty good with a bit of chew at the center) with fresh juices. I had passion fruit today but I’ll be back to try the others. Supposedly, soon, they will have the red bean paste buns as well. They are located on Carrera 15, No. 94-51 and they have plans to expand, including providing delivery (domicilio as it’s called here). Their cakes are delicious too. I ordered a cake to take to a birthday and for 45,000 Colombian pesos (about $22), I got a spongy delightful eight-inch white cake decorated with fruit. Their cheesecake is good. Not cloying but it does have fibers from the fresh mango and passion fruit (thanks for the roughage in my diet). They can also make a chocolate cake with alcohol, but I haven’t tried it so I don’t know how it is. ***I was in for a chat when I picked up my cake and I commented that they should post photos on their Facebook page… and they did! I hope that they’ll soon post delicious food photos…

It was a great day for finding Asian (or “oriental” as they call it here) grocery supplies. Earlier, I found the Global Gourmet on Carrera 14, No. 90-12, and nearly collapsed from joy at finding fresh tofu, edamame, fish sauce, wonton wrappers, sesame oil, sesame seeds, peanut oil, woks, chopsticks, mango chutney, seaweed, green curry paste, cookbooks, rice bowls, miso paste, tapioca flour, somen noodles, rice noodles, 10 kilo bags of rice, and so much more. Unfortunately, they do not have fresh vegetables. Not a cheap store but at least they have all sorts of hard to find items. They have been open for nine years so there must be someone buying the goods. The folks in Afternoon Tea didn’t even know about this store.

Then, I found the Asian section at Jumbo, the mega supermarket near Calle 110, No. 9B – 4 (like a Walmart) located in the Santa Ana mall. This mall also has a taxi service in the basement so it’s easy to catch a cab home with one’s groceries.

For kimchi, I bought some at the Casa de Coreana restaurant, Calle 104A, No. 11B-61. It cost 10,000 Colombian pesos ($5) for about a pint. It was acceptable, and according to the lady in the restaurant, the best in town. We’ll see.

Global Gourmet sells more than just food.

Carulla also sells some imported goods like sushi seaweed and rice.

Global Gourmet receives fresh tofu several times per week.

Now, the most difficult part of shopping for Asian food is finding vegetables. I found out from the folks at the Taiwanese bakery that Paloquemao market sells Asian vegetables on Tuesday mornings.

Sriracha, French mustard, and other global foods in Global Gourmet.

I’ll update this as I find more sources. Later, I’ll blog about the Asian restaurants… as I taste test them.

If anybody knows of more sources of Asian food or good Asian restaurants in Bogota, please share this with me by commenting or sending me an email at m@madventures.me. Thanks!

Someone told me that Maki Roll, a restaurant, was also an Asian grocery store. I went to investigate. The restaurant smelled of bulgogi and sesame oil. They had a few items for sale in the glass counter and on the shelf between the kitchen and the cash register. They sell Korean spicy ramen (which makes them the only place to carry this brand so far). They also sell kimchi (not as good as Casa de Coreana’s), individually prepped seaweed, and kochikang, the spicy Korean red paste.

All in all, between these stores, it is possible to almost find everything I’d need to make the basics of Korean food. Tonight, there’s a bag of bulgogi beef happily marinating away.

Tag: asian

East Asian Grocery Stores in Rome

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