Asian markets save a TON of cash on food supplies, canning food etc (pics)

[VictorFranko]

With an Asian wife, I have been to almost every Asian market from Ventura to Garden Grove, including the Monterey Park-Alhambra area.
The fruit and vegetables seem to be the stuff the better markets don't buy, hence the lower prices.
As far as durian goes, I make the wife keep 'em in the garage if she brings one home becuase they smell so bad.

If you go to one of these markets, buy a couple of these, known as bitter melon:

Cut in half and scrap out the seeds, then slice thinly. (Slices in the picture are too thick for my taste)

Saute in a frying pan, then add and scramble a couple eggs. (I suggest a little more egg and a little less bitter melon than pictured)

Drizzle with a little of this and dig in!


I discovered this dish while extremely hung over in Saigon one morning.
Great as a hangover cure or just as a healthy meal.

[Sanderhawk]

All I know is if that guy on that show bizzare food says this is awful ( and he eats anything) i`m assuming this is just gross

[Shellshocker66]

So along with the markets has anyone tried Asian farmer markets? We have one that is open every Sunday not far from my house, but due to a personal horror story (I have tons of them from my former work) I've been a little leery to go actually see what they have.

*and no the horror story is not related to something bad in the food

[VictorFranko]

So along with the markets has anyone tried Asian farmer markets? We have one that is open every Sunday not far from my house, but due to a personal horror story (I have tons of them from my former work) I've been a little leery to go actually see what they have.

*and no the horror story is not related to something bad in the food

My local farmer's market is probably 40% Asian growers, never heard of an "Asian farmers market", as in all Asian growers.

[Fjold]

Andrew Zimmer, the guy who hosts "Bizarre Foods" on the travel channel and travelling the world eating sheep's eyes, monkey anus, etc., won't touch Durian.

[Shellshocker66]

My local farmer's market is probably 40% Asian growers, never heard of an "Asian farmers market", as in all Asian growers.

Yes as in all Asian growers/farmers and so on. Every Sunday in Sacramento there is a regular farmers market under the freeway (with lots of Asian sellers),and a couple blocks down, same time/day is an Asian farmers market leaning towards the more exotic such as just butchered pigs and pig blood (which is part of my horror story that involved a car accident after someone had just come from the Asian farmers market) and then normal produce items just like the other farmers market.

[jyo]

Asian markets are a fine source for many items at great prices---I don't agree that most of the stuff is inferior to the big markets---when buying produce, it's always what's right in front of you---check it out before you buy or not. Great prices on many types of canned goods as well.

[Neuvik]

[problemchild]

Asian markets are a fine source for many items at great prices---I don't agree that most of the stuff is inferior to the big markets---when buying produce, it's always what's right in front of you---check it out before you buy or not. Great prices on many types of canned goods as well.

Yep and get there early because the Asians are darn picky about their produce, they weed through it and leave only the bruised stuff. Saturday morning Zion has the killer sales so that's when we go. The Zion market is on carson and bloomfield. Ive been to 99Ranch we usually go there for the Salmon sales. Ive got salmon there for as low as 1.99lb.

[joe84780]

Been going to Asian markets for years. Chinatown in Seattle as a kid, then in Oakland and San Francisco when we moved to Northern California. My father always purchased his seafood from Chinatown markets as it was always either live or very fresh and a lot lower priced than the supermarkets in the burbs where we lived. I loved going to Chinatown as a kid and shopping. There are a lot of markets as well that sell really good Chinese style barbecued pork, dim sum and roast duck. Mmmm!

Produce at the regular grocery stores is a complete rip off. So is a lot of the seafood and meats. My only complaint about Asian markets is the the cleanliness. Seems to be an afterthought. The bigger Asian chain markets like Ranch 99 and such are very clean though. Thanks for the canning report!

[Us3rName]

Duran is bomb. Definitely an acquired taste.

As mentioned before. Cleanliness... I would not buy chicken or beef at Asian markets. I would buy everything else there. Just not meats. Seafood - maybe. Produce. Yes. Random weird snacks. Yes. Funky unknown stuff - tickles my curiosity... Most of the time not good.

[Yugo]

this is cause asian markets dont have to deal with UNIONS!

[Kid Stanislaus]

Yep Koreans are Asian. You got me.

And to my knowledge they alway have been!!

[Kid Stanislaus]

Andrew Zimmer, the guy who hosts "Bizarre Foods" on the travel channel and travelling the world eating sheep's eyes, monkey anus, etc., won't touch Durian.

I don't care HOW foul the Durian smells, I'll eat that before I eat a monkey's butt hole!!

[Got Stuff?]

Mexican markets can be a great value as well. We're lucky here in So Cal, where there is a good selection of Asian and Mexican markets.