The United States is a land of delicious eating from coast to coast, city to city, and more specifically from one neighborhood to the next. The cultural and culinary mix of food options makes it impossible to characterize in one single bite. From Mexican to Chinese and Italian to Thai, Americans enjoy a wide array of cuisines to choose from. In taking advantage of these diverse cuisines and cultures, a typical Sunday afternoon for me includes driving around the city of Austin visiting all the different ethnic markets and the wonderful items they have to offer. Whether you are looking for Latin, Asian, Middle Eastern, or European ingredients, they can all be found if only you know where to go. If you find yourself lost and unaware of these wonderful markets, no worries – enjoy the article and take some notes.
In just the last several years, Austin has transformed itself from a limited to a diverse and multi-ethnic cuisine scene. As more ethnic groups have arrived so have the restaurants as well as the markets that support those restaurants. These ethnic stores can be found all over the city and they embody most areas of the culinary globe. Whether it is Argentine dulce de leche at Phoenicia Bakery or Spanish Bonito del Norte tuna at Grapevine, special ethnic items can be found right here in Austin!
Knowing about these different ingredients provides you not only with more culinary knowledge and diversity, but also more knowledge of the world. Learning about food in different cultures gives one insight into the social fabric, geographic location, and industrial history of the culture. For example, Jamon Serrano (Ham cured in the Sierra Morena Mountains in Spain) was created not as a culinary delicacy at inception, but more out of a culinary necessity to preserve the pig once slaughtered. Although the curing process has become more and more industrialized, the result is still a unique tasting delicacy. Knowing this gives us insight into the Spanish culture, geography, and industrialized advancements made and thus enable us to understand their zealous interest in food, particularly ham.
So, if you have never taken the opportunity to check out the ethnic food market scene, please grab a map of the city, use the store addresses below for a head start, and get out there to enjoy and learn about food and culture! If not, you are truly missing out on an excellent learning experience.
Asian
My Thanh
7601 N. Lamar (512) 454.4804
Hong Kong Market
8557 Research (512) 339.2068
Brazilian
Taste of Brazil
707 E. Braker #202 (512) 835.5556
Italian & Fresh Pasta
Pasta & Co.
3502 Kerbey Lane (512) 453.0633
Mandola’s
47 West Guadalupe Ste 12 (512) 419.9700
Latin/European
La Michoacana
1917 E. 7th (512) 473.8487
Fiesta
3909 N. I-35 (512) 406.3900
Latin/Middle Eastern/European
Phoenicia Bakery
4710 Burnet Rd. (512) 323.6770
Central Market
4001 North Lamar (512) 206.1000
Grapevine Market
7938 Great Northern Blvd. (512) 323.5900
Russian
Sasha’s
5523-B Balcones Dr. (512) 459.1449
