BY LEAH KRAUS & ERIC REZSNYAK

Expanding your food horizons beyond Wegmans can be tough when
they offer every food known to man, plus more. But, if you’re looking for hard
to find foods from distant lands, an ethnic market is your best bet. Many of
these shops are tucked around Rochester
and are full of character. They offer ridiculously low prices that most (if
any) chain grocery stores can’t beat. Plus, if you have a question about any of
the items, the owners always know what they’re talking about. Here’s a list of
some of the best Asian, Indian, Italian, European and Caribbean
markets around Rochester.

Asian

Hikari Food and Grocery – 1667 Mount Hope Ave. 585-461-3180.

Hikari has a total Manhattan
vibe: it’s a tiny squeeze but you know you’ll find everything you could ever
want – including an open fish tank with Halibut swimming around in the back. Hikari’s selection of Asian food includes fresh vegetables
and meats, a good sized frozen selection, udon
noodles, kimchee, teas, herbs, and tons of items with Mandarin writing
on them that I wasn’t even sure about, but that I knew were authentic. Prices
are very low and you’ll also find toys for the kids and dishes if you just
happen to be in need of some.

1. Lee’s Oriental, 900 Jefferson Rd,
Suite 1, 272-7020 (between E & W Henrietta rds)

2. Asia Food Market, 1885 Brighton
Henrietta Town Center Road (corner of West
Henrietta), 292-9888

Chang’s 1867 Mount Hope Ave,
426-7660 (right before Westfall Rd,
left side)

3. WestLake,
85 Commerce Dr, 334-0372
(off W Henrietta/Rt 15, between Calkins and
Marketplace)

5. Win Fa 4 Lake Ave, 546-1250 (HighFalls, corner of State, Smith, Lake,
Lyell)

OceanGarden
– 971 S. Clinton, 271-3705

OceanGarden
offers hard to find Asian foods at low prices in a similar capacity to Hikari. Keep in mind, they mostly specialize in Cantonese
and South East Asian options, but their selection includes frozen items,
spices, noodles, sauces, teas, pickled ginger, and bamboo shoots. If you have
any questions, the friendly staff is very helpful. Ample parking is located
right next to the store unless it’s very busy. Keep in mind that the low-key
entrance can be easy to miss – it’s located right next to the Cinema.

Indian

Indian

Namaste – 3047
W. Henrietta Road, 424-2980

India
House store – 999 Clinton Ave S.
244-9210

India House is extemely inviting
with its warm interior. They carry everything from sauces, spices, beans, fresh
vegetables, masala mixes, curry
paste, those popular tandoor chef meals that you buy at
Tops and Wegmans, and a variety of other easy to make meals. Walk towards the
back of the store and you’ll find a large selection of incense and an even
bigger selection of herbs. There’s more, though. Keep walking and you’ll be
welcomed into a room stocked with a variety of random items including yoga
books and clothes – it’s an adventure of a store. India House is located right
across the street from the India House restaurant.

India
Market – 3259 South Winton Road.427-8667

Before even getting to the food, one defining aspect of India
Market is their expansive selection of Bollywood
films that you can either rent or buy. One of the largest collections in the
city, I’m sure. Now, the food. They have a well
stocked frozen selection, as well as easy to make meals which, as I was told by
the owner, are popular with the younger college aged-crowd. They offer curry
mix, beans and spices, garlic powder, sauces, baked goods, plantain chips, and
tons of spice varieties. You’ll find prices lower than those anywhere in town.
India Market has been open for over 15 years and is located in the same plaza
as the Thali of India restaurant. Keep in mind that
fresh vegetables arrive on Thursdays.

Namaste

Right down the street from Namaste
restaurant, this market offers all the ingredients you need to make your own
authentic Indian meal. Light Indian music mixes with the aroma of spices making
you feel like you’re in the country itself. You’ll find basics such as relish,
spices, and pastes but Namaste also stocks grab and go
snacks such as plantain chips, banana chips, and authentic sweet and spicy BhandranMoong. Fresh vegetables
and frozen meals complete the selection as well as their huge selection of Bollywood DVD’s. And if you’re looking for hair dye or
herbal hair wash powder straight from India,
this is the place to go.

Desi Bazaar

Desi Bazaar specializes in Middle
Eastern and Indian groceries. They offer spices, coffee powders and a small
selection of fruit and vegetables as well as fresh Hallal
meats. The assortment of tea is huge and in the frozen section you can find
American favorites such as Buffalo Chicken Wings and Chicken Fries but with a
Middle Eastern twist. They also have Naan – that
delicious bread that always comes with your meal at any Indian restaurant. The
prices are irresistible at Desi Bazaar and If you’re not sure what you’re looking for the staff is
happy to answer any questions.

Desi Bazaar 1713
Crittenden Rd, 292-1189

Namaste3047
W Henrietta Rd, Suite 7, 424-2980

Rice and Spice 40 North Ave No. 1,
Webster, 872-7320

This article appears in May 13-19, 2009.