Our city of Metropolis does not have large Chinatowns or Asian grocery markets like the bigger cities but it’s enough for us. Dick and I recently went to get some fish. If you want a good variety of fresh fish and at great prices, I would find out where your local Asian grocery store is.

THE TOUR

I’m assuming that there may be some of you Jane’s and Dick’s out there who have never been to an Asian grocery store. So here’s a brief tour of ours.

Fresh Greens. This includes a wide variety of popular veggies used by Asians like Chinese Brocoli, Snow Pea Leaves, Bok Choy, Nappa, etc. etc. etc.

I buy some Snow Pea Leaves since I was craving sauteed snow pea leaves like I used to eat in Chinatown in Toronto. Those of you in Toronto know that Swatow in Chinatown is the place to go at 2am after you’ve hit the clubs and need to put some food in your stomach or you’re going to be sick from all the alcohol you’ve thrown back. Some fried rice? Fried tofu? Pretty much anything fried will coat the stomach nicely.

PACKAGED MEATS & STUFF

Moving on around, we come up to the refridgerated area where there is packaged meat. There are some “specialties” that you can’t find in an ordinary grocery store.

WARNING!! THIS IS NOT FOR THOSE WITH WEAK STOMACHS.

Chicken Feet

(I’ve only tried this before in Dim Sum restaurants and I am not a fan.)

Pork Stomach.

(This is actually pretty good the way my dad prepares it in congee. I know it looks totally nasty here. I’ve actually never seen it when it’s not already cooked in  my dad’s congee so I’m pretty disgusted right now.)

Pork Kidney.

(Never tasted and I’m not sure I want to.)

Pork Snout.

(DEFINITELY never tasted.)

Oh, I know my Vegetarian Janes and Dicks are going to hurl.

And my Persian Janes and Dicks too. Most Persians I know don’t eat pork.

I think I’m going to yak myself. Ughh.

SEAFOOD

LIVE crab and lobster.

Fresh fish.

We buy a red snapper and a couple of stripe basses. Both of these are great pan seared. Recipe to come.

The stuff in the background are dried stuff like mushrooms, sauces, ramens, noodles, etc. They also have kitchen stuff for cooking Chinese food…pots, pans, woks, rice cookers, plates, bowls, special spatulas, dim sum bamboo things, and cheap plastic stuff from China-strainers, containers, etc.

Dick is waiting for someone to acknowlege that we’re here.

No one else is waiting besides us and the one guy is cleaning a fish and doesn’t even acknowledge us. There’s another guy who’s going back and forth as well and doesn’t even bother looking our way. (I know you see me!!)

Anyway, they clean the fish here for you right on the spot, whatever way you like it. Outside and inside, with or without tail & head, filleted, etc.

RAMEN

I love ramen. It’s a great meal for me when I’m hungry and lazy to cook. So, while Dick is waiting to have our fish cleaned, I meander over to the ramen section.

There are a bazillion different ramens to pick from.

I’m in the mood for something new. I scan the many varieties (korean, spicey, pho, udon, shrimp flavor, pork flavor, beef flavor, seafood flavor, etc, etc.etc.) and notice one that looks like it has potential.

Packaged in blue and comes in bulk with 6 ramens in a pack, I see that there is only ONE PACK left.

This means people must like it so I buy the last one. You all know that special you feel when you’re able to swipe the last one of anything.

Noodle King makes this same noodle in several different flavors, the blue one is the WONTON flavour. Awesome. Can’t wait to try it.

So, there’s plenty more to see in this grocery store but Dick’s rushing me and I didn’t have time to run around the entire store taking pictures. Plus, since I’m Asian, I’m at risk for having the owners think I’m spying on them, taking pictures so that I can then open an Asian Grocery Store of my own.

I assure you, this is not one of my endeavors.

-Jane, Shopper at Asian Grocery Stores.

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