10 Best Ethnic Supermarkets in NYC
Technically this isn’t a Foodstroll, but it’s information we think everyone should know.
There are thousands of ethnic markets all over NYC, from corner stores and delis, to international grocery chains. You can find pretty much anything if you know where to look, and save money while doing it! Perhaps you’re searching for the hot sauce you tried in Mexico City, or the fish sauce they used in Bangkok. Or maybe you just want to pay a fraction of what other markets charge for fresh lamb or live lobsters. Either way, exotic ingredients, hard to find produce, foreign condiments, and spice blends galore are probably closer than you think.
Below we count down our 10 favorite ethnic markets in NYC.
#10 - Tashkent Supermarket
Tashkent Supermarket, as you may have guessed, is an Uzbek market selling hot and cold foods from across Central Asia and the former USSR. They prepare every kind of salad imaginable, like Russian Vinegret, and a half dozen versions of Olivier Salad. Other prepared foods from across Europe and Central Asia include Chicken Bekti, Chicken Kiev, and Potato Zrazy. They also fresh bake regional Soviet treats, like Blinis, cakes, and Syrniki.
As featured in The Central Asian Experience.
#9 - Sahadi’s
Sahadi’s has been everyone’s favorite Middle Eastern market since it opened on Atlantic Ave in 1948. They carry a wide range of imports, as well as excellent prepared foods to go. Their recently launched Industry City location has all the same great prepared foods and imports, but also comes complete with a full bar and huge outdoor dining space where exceptional made to order Lebanese dishes and cocktails are served.
As featured in An Afternoon in Industry City.
#8 - Titan Foods
Titan Foods is famous among Greeks in NYC, and with anyone in Queens looking for delicious takeout. They have a buffet, bakery, and deli, in addition to amazing prepared foods like marinated Octopus straight from the mainland. Greek cheeses like Feta and Graviera, and pastries like Baklava, Melitinia, and Pasteli are abundant. Other products include Olive Oils, Doulmas, Spanakopita, and Greek beer and wine.
As featured in Athens to Astoria.
#7 - H Mart
H Mart was originally a Korean supermarket, but now it’s a national Asian chain. The outpost in Koreatown focuses exclusively on Korean products. The meat department offers pre sliced cuts, like short rib (Galbisal), brisket (Chadolbagi), and pork belly (Samgyeopsal), and the refrigerated section has not just Kimchee, but all manner of pickled vegetables. The junk food section is enormous and packed with flavors Americans might consider XXTRA Flamin' Hot.
As featured in Krazy Korean Christmas.
#6 - Mi Tierra Supermarket
Mi Tierra is a chain of Latin Supermarkets where isles are categorized by country. They have it all - think hundreds of varieties of hot sauce, fresh cactus, and chorizo from almost every country in Central and South America. The butcher and produce departments are particularly impressive, offering exotic cuts of meat and plenty of dried chilies. Most locations sell the same great stuff, but parking is easiest along Northern Boulevard.
As featured in Jackson Heights Food Crawl.
#5 - Balady Market
Balady is the best Halal supermarket in NYC that we know of. They carry a huge variety of Middle Eastern products, and the bakery and butcher are both excellent. Deserts like Baklava, Halawet el Jibn, and Znoud al-sit are made fresh on premises, and don’t be surprised to see several goats hanging from the ceiling at the butcher.
As featured in Beirut in Bay Ridge.
#4 - Rio Market
Rio Market is the best Brazilian supermarket in NYC. They sell everything from fresh Picanha to imported frozen fish straight from the Amazon River. Their list of traditional Brazilian products, like Pimenta Malagueta, Azeite de Dendê, Pão de Queijo, and Catupiry goes on and on. They also have a fabulous buffet, and a refrigerator full of treats like Brigadeiros and Beijinhos. They even have a travel agency in the back if you want to do more than just shop Brazilian!
As featured in Brazilian Adventure.
#3 - NetCost Market
NetCost is a chain of markets in the greater NYC area selling Russian and other European and Eastern European imports and prepared foods. Their buffet is one of our favorite to-go lunch moves near Coney Island, but the thing that keeps us coming back are the 40+ types of caviar and smoked fish, many of which are priced at small fractions of what you’d pay elsewhere. Our favorite location is the one on Brighton Beach Ave, just two blocks from the ocean.
#2 - La Bella Marketplace
La Bella is the best Italian supermarket in NYC, and expats come from near and far to fulfill their Italian grocery needs. Everything is first rate. The deli makes Fresh Mozzarella and Caciocavallo that it uses in their excellent Pizza, Calzones, and Stromboli. The prepared foods section is an Italian paradise, with Octopus Salad, Veal Pizzaiola, and Eggplant Parmigiana. The bakery churns out Cannoli and Panna Cotta. Our favorite food item is their giant Sicilian Arancini al Ragù, and they even carry cleaning products like Italian soap, shampoo, and laundry detergent!
As featured in Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.
#1 - Fei Long Supermarket
Fei Long is our number one ethnic supermarket in NYC, and something every New Yorker should experience at least once. It’s a massive, wide open retail market that’s hard to put into words. The seafood department has frogs and soft shelled turtles, the frozen section has over one hundred different types of dumplings, buns, and fish balls, and the condiment section alone is bigger than most supermarkets. They even sell Chinese cooking utensils like woks and tea pots. Located in the heart of Brooklyn’s Chinatown, there are several excellent Dim Sum spots nearby, like Pacificana and East Harbor Seafood Palace. The parking lot out back is free if you spend more than $30 inside.
Fei Long means “Flying Dragon” in Cantonese, and there is more than one Fei Long in NYC. The one we’re recommending is on 64th St/8th Ave in the southeast corner of Sunset Park.