When I’m craving naan and paneer makhani (Indian bread & curry) the first place I think about is the local Indian market. The market that transports me back to my motherland, back to my grandmothers aromatic kitchen. The minute I walk into the market I hear Hindi music playing, music that reminds me of my childhood, and the smell of the veggies and spices bring back memories of my childhood and the summers I would visit my grandparents in India. The summers that I got to be with my family, enjoy delicious food and build beautiful memories. The food at this market are foods I could never find when I would shop at the local grocery store Walking into the Indian market is like walking into my safe place. It is also the place where you find friends. I remember growing up my parents would take me to an Indian market, the owners of the market were an elderly couple who knew everything about every south asian family in the area. They would give us hot samosas and always knew how to make me and my siblings feel at home. They would speak in Hindi and that would be my little bit of homeland in America. It always felt good to speak in Hindi to someone else besides my family. This market is more than a market to me, its a reminder of my culture and everything that is great about where I come from and who I am. When it’s a rainy Sunday and I want comfort food I think of hot steamed, delicious dumplings I ate when I visited Chinatown in Washington DC (the closest I have been to a real china experience) I know exactly where I can go to similar dumplings with all the sauces, the Asian market aa few minutes away from my house. At this beautiful market you can find delicious handmade dumplings, fresh or frozen. I also find a plethora of sauces that go with the most amazing dumplings on my side of town. Sauces that come from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and beyond. I get lost in this market trying to come up with a meal that is perfect for a Chinese explosion and sometimes if I am lucky I get a chance to talk to the owners, who were refugees from Cambodia during the war. Hearing their stories and their grit and grind to overcome just makes me even more inspired and glad I invested in them and their markets than an overstocked grocery store with international products from national businesses.
When I think of these vibrant spots in our communities I know without a doubt that they are the backbone to diversity in our neighborhoods. These are the markets that add so much character and culture to our communities and in peoples lives. They places where you can walk into and feel at home, even if home isn’t India, China, Cambodia or Vietnam. They are the mom and pop’s who came to America with a dream of success. The ones who risked it all to be able to share who they are and where they are from in a new society, in a new world. These are the places where immigrants old and new go when they are homesick and need a little piece of home. Where people who feel connected to a culture can dig deeper and be more authentic in their admiration and search. They are the places that when you walk into you can smell home, you can smell culture and you can taste some of the best foods. I know whole foods has naan, dumplings and empanadas in the freezer section, but do the goodies come with stories of the motherland or relationships that will last a lifetime?
I urge you to be more conscious in your shopping for cultural foods. Be more authentic in where you buy your favorite cultured foods. Help the cultured moms and pops who came to America to share their culture and world with us. Consider walking into a new corner store or cultured market and shopping for something new, or even something you love but never made before. Have a conversation with the owners, the stock boys or girls and listen to what they have to say. You are not just supporting a small business in your neighborhood or community, you are supporting a dream that started in another continent. You are weaving into the beautiful tapestry of our country.
I have attached some of my favorite markets, places I consider my go-to for cultured foods.
Everest Indian Grocery Store: I may be biased but they have the best naan, veggies and spices. They also have a whole section of South Asian snacks that are perfect for the sweet and savory.
Viet My Oriental Food Market: They have fresh seafood, spring-rolls and deserts. IF you are lucky you may be able to grab some homemade coconut sticky rice.
Asian Market: They have my favorite dumplings, ramen flavors and sauces-for anything and everything. I can’t forget the movie and bubble tea.
Mandros Imported Foods: Their cheeses and meats are absolutely amazing. I also am obsessed with their baklava.
Mexican Grocer: Are you craving tacos? This is the place to go. Do you need to make Mexican street corn? Go here for the best Cotija Cheese.
Bravo Supermarket: This is a hidden gem for so many PuertoRican, and Caribbean foods. I love their fresh breads, this is a MUST try.
European Grocery Store: They have a great candy and tea selection from Europe. They also have caviar. Pair caviar with your favorite vodka and you have date night covered.
If you do go to any of these places and loved the experience or bought something new, let know. I’d love to hear about your support to our very diverse and cultured community.
Homemade dumplings made by me at home.
All thanks to the Asian Market for all the items pictured above, including the bamboo dumpling steamer.
Timbrel Chyatee
Timbrel is an entrepreneur that is passionate about culture, empowerment and inspiring the world to live better. She is the founder of The Cultured Workshop a workshop focusing on educating individuals in culture and community. She is also the lead designer and founder of Lush Bazaar a sustainably made, into-fusion fashion label. Timbrel is an avid explorer, writer and connoisseur of teas. Her mission in life is simple, inspire one another to create a world of empowerment and acceptance for all. Follow more from Timbrel at: @Cultured.Workshop | @Timbrel.Chyatee | timbrelchyatee.com | culturedworkshop.com
