FM Ethnic Market Tour

Asian and American Market
1015 Main Ave
Fargo

In terms of variety, the Asian and American Market is first-class. They have the most excellent selection of rice in town—over 40 different kinds. They also have the biggest noodle aisle you have ever laid eyes on. The cliché “oodles of noodles” hardly seems to do it justice, but if you want a better idea of what we mean, just see the attached photo. Have a sweet tooth? Try any number of Asian candies and beverages that offer a new, invigorating sense of sweetness compared to American sweets.

They have some of the most creative and clever packaging known to man to boot. Japanese Ramune soda, for example, comes in a glass bottle sealed by a glass marble. The glass basin inside the bottle, with the marble as a stopper, inhibits any greedy gulpers from prematurely consuming their beverage. It’s glutton proof! You’re going to savor the glorious flavor whether you like it or not.

AAM has enough assorted Asian goods to meet anyone’s needs, but if that was not enough, they also have a wide selection of East Indian goods—which they say are very popular sellers. In addition, they sell fresh produce and meats, all kinds of cooking equipment (woks, steamers, etc.) and more.

Our Pick: Japanese Ramune Soda - Lychee flavor

 

 

 

Lotus Blossom
2750 Main Ave
Fargo

Very clean, very organized and very friendly owners. The interior is hip, modern and stylish. Lotus Blossom is the newest member of FM’s ethnic market community, and they are already stirring up quite a buzz. Their meat selection is fresh beyond belief—from the most delectable fish filets to rib eye steaks at $4.75/lb (if you’re a meat coinoisseur, you know that is a hard price to beat). Their produce section gleams with green, crisp gloriousness, and once again, it is well displayed stylistically—just an attractive store in general. Not to mention that its vastness is worthy of note.

While they too offer Ramune soda (we can’t get enough of that stuff) and a number of Asian goods also available at the AAM, each market has its own flavor. The Lotus Blossom maintains its own identity with a unique blend of commodities. They even open up a little Asian deli on the weekends that is full of goodies for your gullet. In the same deli area, you can sample various instant Asian coffees at any time (far tastier than American instant coffee) for cheap while you hang out and chat with the owners and fellow patrons. If you find a flavor you like, you can buy a box and enjoy it at your leisure, although the Lotus Blossom has an allure that is difficult to walk away from.

Our Pick: Instant Ginseng Coffee

 

 

 

 

 

 

FM International Market
1402 Main Ave
Fargo

FM International Market is a bizarre of wonders. Like the name implies, they sell Asian, European, East Indian, African, Middle Eastern and pretty much everything under the sun. This market has a wide aperture for anything ethnic. Why not plan a cultural cuisine party and whip up tastes from the four corners of the Earth for friends and family? FM International Market would be a one-stop shop for such an eating endeavor.

Their plant and flower selection is quite beautiful and diverse. One could easily lavish his or her home with live decorations by simply strolling through this aisle. They have African music, African DVDs, ethnic cooking utensils, an enormous frozen food section with an equally impressive produce section and even Bruce Lee crystal art. You can experience the world in one go.

Our Pick: Bruce Lee crystal art

 

 

 

 

 

Tochi Health Products
1111 2nd Ave N
Fargo

Tochi has a long-standing reputation for vending healthy, clean and organic goods. So much so that they were voted as Best Health Food Store in our Best Bets ‘09 contest. They also happen to be the oldest ethnic grocer in the area (almost 40 years!). Like the FM International Market, Tochi is not confined by any one ethnicity. They too offer Bosnian, Asian, European, etc. The variety is impeccable, and even more significant is their attention to culture. They have Bosnian magazines, crosswords, cook books and even music. You get a free Arab Times and/or Arab American Times every time you shop. You can get Islamic prayer rugs and all kinds of herbs used in Native American and Wiccan rituals (some not intended for human consumption). Not all the herbs sold are for ceremonial use, of course. They still have virtually every herb and spice imaginable for your culinary curiosity (both common and obscure), or for use in brewing your own beverage—they sell both the ingredients and equipment for making wine and beer. It’s diverse, it’s immense, it’s intense… it’s Tochi.

Our Pick: Gabe’s Crazy Mix

 

 

 

 

 

La Unica Mexican Market
2615 12th Ave S
Moorhead

For 16 years, Fargo-Moorhead’s one and only Mexican market has been one of the Valley’s greatest well-kept secrets. They make fresh tortillas and tamales on-site that are fantastico. They also make the pico de gallo of all pico de gallos. Whether you’re looking for salsa, los santos or sombreros, one would never be amiss.

On a side note, you may not know this, but Mexican Coca-Cola is the best kind of Coca-Cola. It is made with only pure sugar (no high fructose corn syrup), and it’s readily available in glass bottles (which we all know tastes better than beverages served in aluminum or plastic). It’s healthier for you and it tastes better. Coca-Cola Mexicana es mejor que todo los todos.

Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. they also serve authentic Mexican breakfast at a more than reasonable price—well worth the visit.

Our Pick: Mexican Coca-Cola, por supuesto

 

 

 

 

Loopy’s Dollar Store
110 11th St S
Moorhead

What Loopy’s may lack in variety, they more than make up for with affordability. It’s to be expected from a dollar store that they sell cheap goods, but who would guess that a dollar store could serve all of your ethnic shopping needs? Loopy’s needs not tote 40 different kinds of rice, because when you’re looking to fix up an ethnic bite for a buck, they take the cake. Mexican goods are a particular realm where they excel. The hot pepper selection is magnificantly arrayed (and all with very low numbers on the price tags)—Chile de Arbol, Chile California, Chili Pasilla, New Mexico Chili Pods—these are just some of the dried peppers available.

The Mexican cuisine is still only a fraction of their overall cultural encapsulation. At Loopy’s you can get instant Thai noodles, you can get regular Thai noodles, you can get Sri Racha sauce or spaghetti sauce. There doesn’t seem to be an ethnic craving they couldn’t quell. It’s really quite impressive… and from a dollar store?

Our Pick: Chili Peppers of All Kinds

 

 

 

 

 

African Market
1230 23rd St S
Fargo

Asian, Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisine seem much easier to find than African cuisine, but we do have a diamond in the rough. Once you’ve snooped around the African Market, you’ll find out what we mean by that. Some of the other markets may dabble with African food, but there really is only one location to get this kind of assortment. If you’ve never seen or tasted a Nigerian yam, it’s more than worth the drive to find out. Its sheer size is a spectacle in itself, and its flavor even more so. Blackeyed peas are always fantastic, and their dried plantain chips are a perfect blend of salty and sweetness. For traditional African cooking, ground cassava (or manioc) is a staple, as well as “bitter herb” (used in a lot of African dishes, especially soups). For a beverage, try a Vimto sparkling fruit drink or a Malta (a non-alcoholic version of Guiness imbued with nutritious vitamins). For an inimitable African tasting experience, nothing can compare to the African Market.

Our Pick: Dried Plantain Chips

 

 

 

 

 

Aladdin’s Cafe
-1609 32nd Ave S
Fargo
-530 6th Ave N
Fargo (Downtown)

Dolmades, gyros, baklava, extra virgin olive oil… If these words are making you salivate, then you know the bliss of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cooking. At Aladdin’s, it’s their specialty. In terms of being an ethnic market, most of their grocery goods are located in the South Fargo store. There you can buy kalamata olives, grape leaves, fresh feta and nearly everything else you would need to get your Greek on (the only thing missing would be Ouzo, which sadly, they do not serve). You can also pick from any number of Middle Eastern goods like couscous, shankleesh, nablus cheese, and a laundry list of others. Once you’ve done that, you can wash it down with an ice cold Orange Blossom Water.

Aladdin’s desserts have incomparable richness and texture. Baklava and almond chocolate blossoms are their specialty desserts, and they are also the most popular. Both stores have indubitably relaxing atmospheres. Pleasant lighting, a low-key feel, and personable employees may account for this. The downtown location has been in business for 15 years now, and the South store almost four. If you’re not feeling like cooking Mediterranean for yourself, let the pros do it and indulge in their restaurant. The gyro combo is a classic pick, or the spanikopita, or dolmades… Whether you want to cook your own or have them cook it for you, you can’t go wrong with these guys.

Our Pick: Baklava