Store Review: Chinatown Food Market
Although Kansas City is known for its abundance of meat and potatoes, we also have a hidden gem of an Asian grocery store. Although it smells a little strange and unfamiliar when you first walk in (hey, we’re honest), they have tastes and flavors that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. We brought our camera along for our last visit to give you a peek inside!
The Chinatown Market in Kansas City, Missouri is located in the River District along the edge of the Missouri River. It lays next to our largest Farmer’s Market in the Rivermarket neighborhood and has become a staple in our ethnic cooking supplies.
Many other local grocers are doing good to carry a rice wrapper or pre-made pad thai sauce, but this small market (compared to mega-marts) carries a high volume of Asian fare, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Filipino, Malaysian, and Indian. If you want Asian ingredients and products — you’ll find it here! Aside from carrying a vast array of ethnic specialties, they have the most extensive seafood departments this side of the Mississippi (in the Midwest that is).
Usually we have a rule that if you don’t live near a large body of water, that seafood is usually off the menu. The idea of frozen and cross-country shipped seafood kinda weirds us out. It’s one thing if you live in a large metropolitan area on the ocean, or even within a days drive of the ocean, but out here in Cow Town, unless it’s catfish or crawdads, it probably isn’t fresh. This market is our only exception to that rule. The selection is so vast we’re almost nervous to share this little secret with you, because if there’s a new rush on clams and eel — we could be out of luck.
Along with regular pantry fare you’ll also find fresh produce, eggs, tofu and all sorts of Asian specialties. They have a modest freezer section filled with pre-mdae goods. There’s dumplings, desserts and durian — and anything else that starts with the letter “d.” You’re all set for any noodle or tea you could desire as there’s a ridiculous amount to choose from. There’s dishes and a few home accessories to decorate with, but for the most part, you’re there for the food. Make sure to check it out if you’re in town, it’s a great place to find all 23 ingredients for your next Asian dish you thought you couldn’t track down otherwise!
Location: 202 Grand, Kansas City, Mo 64106
Phone: (816) 472-6363
(images: Sarah Rae Trover)