Where to shop for Asian grocery around Allen

So, you have had Thai food for a while. It’s one of your family’s favorite Asian cuisine. Cooking thai food at home in a special occasion sounds fun. You are also bored with that instant sauce. You want to have more control over the taste of your own food. Recipets or how-to cook books for Thai food are not difficult to find these days. You can google it and thousands, if not millions, pages will probably show up in seconds. Youtube is another good resource that you definitely can find step-by-step Thai cooking video clip. Doesn’t sounds too tough, right? Only obstacle between you and your great Thai food now is only if you know where to get all the ingredients. Several customers have asked me this particular question before. I think I will put a good list for you here.

1. Walmart/Kroger/Tom Thumb

I put all these US based grocery together as the number one. The reason is that I believe you can find one of these groceries very close to your home. It’s more convenient when you can grab a few ingredients when you do your weekly grocery shopping. Most of these groceries carry a few asian ingredient items in store. You can find fish sauce, oyster sauce or few types of asian veggie in these stores. Walmart might carry less but also cost less. Kroger and Tom Thumb might have more and ,of course, cost a little more. I think I even saw that Kroger carries basil leaf too. But it costs a lot more compare to other stores listed below.

Pro:

Easy to locate the store.

Con:

Carry only few general items

Most items are more expensive compare to other Asian store.

2. Asian World

Asian World is located only 0.5 miles on the west side of US 75 on Legacy Drive. Asian world is a go-to place for Asians looking for their ingredients in Allen/Plano area. Basically, you can find almost everything you could possibly need. The store also offers variety of the brand selection. For example, you may find 5-6 brand from Thailand, China, or Vietnam fish sauce in Asian world. The store is also located in Asian shopping mall that you can stop by several Asian restaurants after grocery shopping. Pho’, Dim Sum, or Yogurt are a few shops out of my mind when mentioned Asian world.

Pro:

Carry almost every necessary ingredient.

Bargain price

Very clean store

Lot of Asian restaurants around store

Con:

Crowd on the weekend

Parking could be difficult to find

3. Ranch99

This Chinese based store is just right at the corner of  US75 and Springcreek PKWY, across the street from Walmart. The store is the newest store in our area and just opened up last year. Similar to Asian World, the store offers variety of brand selection and located in Asian shopping mall. Other than a bakery shop, a yogurt shop and several restaurants in the same shopping mall, RANCH99 also offers food court and bakery inside the store.

Pro:

Newest Asian store in our area

Carry almost every necessary ingredient

Across the street from Walmart

Con:

In my opinion, several items are a little more expensive compare to the near by store

4. H Mart 

H Mart is a Korean based store located right at corner of George Bush Turnpike toll way and Old Denton road. Since this store is from Korea, it’s the best place to find Korean ingredient. You may find several ingredient from South east and East Asian as well there. I believe H Mart is the biggest Asian grocery store in Dallas area. The store also carry a great variety of fresh veggie and fruit.

Pro:

Great restaurants around the store.

Offer best selection for Asian veggie and fruit.

Nice & Clean store

Con:

Quite far from Allen and toll fee to get to the store.

5. Hiep Thai 

Hiep Thai is a Vietnamese based grocery store located at the corner of  Walnut Street and Jupiter road in Garland. Hiep Thai is the last I have it on my list, but it offers a very wide selection in term of brand selection from Thailand. It’s also offer a great price for bulk sale. I could secretly tell you that Hiep Thai is where most of Thai restaurants shop.

Pro:

Deep selection in term of Thai ingredient.

Con: 

Far from Allen.

My recommendation?

I believe Asian world would be the best option for many of you who live in Allen or Plano area. You can find almost all ingredients you might need for cooking Thai food or any east or south east asian food. Asian World is a very clean market and also offers very good bargain in term of pricing. We, at Thai Cafe, are also a good customer of Asian World. Veggie is always fresh there. If you make your first visit there, don’t forget to let me know what you think.