Asian grocery stores?
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Asian grocery stores?
| Fri, 05-02-2008 - 11:13pm |
I recently read that several staples, obviously rice for example, are frequently far less expensive in Asian markets than in traditional grocery stores.
Has anyone shopped at these stores, and if so, is there a noticeable price difference?
TIA,
Robyn

When I lived in the city everything in Chinatown was much cheaper than the regular grocery store. My problem was it was not my way of thinking to go to Chinatown, so I would forget. But yes, I found produce to be much cheaper, and there are more brands to choose from.
If you don't have a price book on things you normally buy, it would be a good idea to check around asian stores and see what prices are and then compare to where you would regularly shop.
The one caveat is that things might not be as fresh, but check around.
Hi, Rebeccalouise posted about this issue on another board so I thought I'd drop in and give my 2cents! I don't really shop in Asian grocery stores as in Chinese/Japanese/Korean cuisines. They aren't that common where I live. But Middle Eastern and Indian groceries are more common, and many things are cheaper there: rice, chickpeas, lentils, spices, tea, couscous, olive oil, tahini, are some of the things that I have saved money on. But to save money doing it, it has to be things that you eat normally or are willing to make a regular part of your diet. Some of the reason that it can be cheaper is they sell foods in larger quantity packages. For instance I buy basmati rice in 10lb bags which works for me but might not for some households. One store I was shopping at sold it for less per pound that the cheapest long grain white rice at the supermarket I shopped at. Unfortunately it changed hands and the selection isn't so great there now.
If there are Asian stores in your area, it's easy enough to check them out and do some price comparisons.
Hi Robyn,
I've recently started shopping at an Asian super market. I've paid $2.00 less a pound for pork ribs. My family found them meatier than what we are used to and called them the best ribs they have ever had.
My DH and I are shocked at other prices as well, such as what we pay for salmon, vegetables and bulk items.
We are shocked. G/L. HTH.
Yes!! I have several near me. One only takes cash. In addition to rice being less expensive (although cost is rising), it is far less expensive to get other things--one has fresh herbs (which I wash and freeze, then crumble into my cooking), produce, noodles, wasabi, nori (to make sushi), and millions of other things--tea...
Don't limit yourself to the Asian stores--I am lucky enough to have the Indian, Dominican, and Middle Eastern stores near me. Basically, everything you can get in the ethnic and gourmet sections of the grocery store for fifty million dollars can be obtained in large quantities from the local bodega or small market. Just think of where your ingredients originate--I go spice shopping at the Indian grocery and the Spanish grocer, and get the restaurant size or large envelope of, say, garlic or cumin for a dollar or so, where it would be several dollars at BJs or the supermarket.
I have a great time doing this, and I know I'm saving lots of money. This helps me do much less boring cooking, stock up, and have an impressive pantry for next to nothing.
Thanks for all of the specifics - I had no idea so many of the things I use are available at these other stores.