East Asia Supermarket on South 38th (19. March 2007, 15:53 by Derek Young) ~ Durian Goodness
I got out of my ‘office’ today to do a bit of shopping and ended up at the East Asia Supermarket on South 38th. With my previous job in Kent I was perfectly located to go to Ranch 99 in Renton – a great market. So I’m new to the Asian grocery store scene in Tacoma and the East Asia Supermarket was on my list of places to check out.
I had a short list in my head of what I wanted. I found just about everything including bulk mushrooms, some funky dried snacks that I refuse to explain, and inexpensive green tea. I now know where I can get cooked duck, durian, star fruit, and plenty of adventurous canned goods. I also found several Mexican and Central American things that I didn’t realize I needed, but I do… Lizano sauce from Costa Rica. A cilantro paste I couldn’t put down. Great looking plantains for some home made patacones.
I had a great time, found some good deals, and it leaves me wondering, what other ethnic grocery stores have I been missing? Where should we go next?
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Paldo World International – 8370 South Tacoma Way. Now THAT’s an Asian Supermarket. The produce will blow your mind and so will the beer selection.
1 | Posted by DtownDweller | Mar 19, 04:03 PM
The new H-Mart in Fed Wy is giving the Paldo stores a run for Mr. Park’s money.
2 | Posted by Rick Jones | Mar 19, 05:06 PM
Geez you just found this place?! You haven’t lived until now! They bless the store front with huge firecrackers every Asian New Year. The spring rolls are the best on 38th. The store owners have been very active in neighborhood development/maintenance of the area since that shooting in ’94.
3 | Posted by Broadweezy | Mar 19, 05:10 PM
Paldo World is cool, but you can’t beat the prices at the East Asia Supermarket. There was an Indian store at the B&I last time I was there (a year or so ago) that is worth checking out.
A friend of mine also swears by Boo-Han, a Korean grocery store on South Tacoma Way.
That’s a fun market. The kids love the fish tanks. As DtD suggests, there are numerous Korean stores along that stretch of South Tacoma, and my mom shops at one or two. Thanks for the tip on Paldo – I’ll check it out, too. I know people who regularly shop at a Mexican market on McKinley, just south of 38th (near the fire station #11). Never been there, but sounded good – Perhaps someone here can clarify.
(I’m glad topics here often include areas outside downtown. Even if one might take another exit number to get there!)
5 | Posted by Dave L. | Mar 19, 05:28 PM
Dave:
The market you speak of (El Compadre) has a great butcher section that’s worth exploring, and a small tacqueria next door.
6 | Posted by UPSPatrick | Mar 19, 07:14 PM
There’s the Russian market on Center and um, some other street.
Good stuff.
7 | Posted by NEAL | Mar 19, 07:20 PM
Geez you just found this place?!
Not exactly. I knew it was there, but I never shopped there. Ranch 99 in Renton was so close to the office and I could get dim sum for lunch before grocery shopping. I’m still learning what it’s like to be in Tacoma during the work week.
The Hong Kong Market in the 3800 block of Yakima is also good for Asian, Central American and inexpensive, with the added advantage that Vien Dong is across the street.
9 | Posted by Kendall | Mar 20, 02:02 PM
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