We never need an excuse to shop ’til we drop at our favorite Asian markets. These are the best places to get groceries around Northern Virginia, whether you have a particular dish in mind or are simply open to touring the eats of a different culture without a plane ticket.
And even beyond what you’ll find in the aisles of the store, several of these markets contain food courts where you can indulge in flavorful, ready-to-eat meals right then and there.
99 Ranch Market
The first time I walked into a location of this grocery chain, I couldn’t contain my joyful tears. The Fairfax 99 Ranch is no less heartwarming. Start with breads and cakes at Baker’s Corner as you enter, grab Chinese barbecued meats at Hot Deli to bring home for a feast, then scoop up practically any Asian fruit you desire. The freezer aisle, which always has the latest viral ice creams, will impress especially. 10780 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax
Good Fortune Supermarket
For Vietnamese food, this megastore inside Eden Center is the place to be. Pick up rice paper wrappers to soak and roll yourself at your dinner table for a fun treat to enjoy on Tet, the Vietnamese New Year celebration. There are sure to be yummy rice pastries to share with your family, too. 6751-6799 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church
H Mart
We’ve got locations of this giant Korean food chain all over NoVA, with seven stores in our region. Part of the beauty of H Mart is that, while it has all the Korean food you can desire, from marinated barbecue meats to cooked delicacies like pajeon, locations also cater to their neighborhoods. For example, the Herndon store also has selections of Salvadoran and Indian specialties. Multiple locations
K Market International
The best food court around resides in a side area of this pan-Asian market. Get your fill of everything from Chinese skewers to Korean tteokbokki. Though stands come and go, diners are guaranteed a delightful meal here. I recommend grabbing a drink from inside the main market’s impressively diverse cooler cases. 4239 John Marr Dr., Annandale
Lotte Plaza Market
There are six of these Korean-owned shoppers’ paradises in NoVA, but my favorite is unquestionably the superstore in Chantilly. Before you buy Malaysian roti, Indian meals, and even Central American fruits and vegetables in the freezer aisle, have some sushi or Filipino lechon at one of the restaurants scattered throughout. Multiple locations
Marufuji Japanese Market
After opening at the end of January, it’s clear this new market has become a hit with Northern Virginians. As you stroll down the aisles of the region’s first Japanese-dedicated market, you’ll not only find your favorite Japanese delicacies, but also fresh sushi, cooking demonstrations, samples, and Japanese home goods. 8520 Leesburg Pk., Vienna
Patel Brothers
This giant South Asian market is where I buy my aromatic Dabur Meswak toothpaste as well as any and all Indian snacks I require. As much as I detest queues, I’ll line up for the pani puri bar and fresh breads with the best of them. 43761 Parkhurst Plz., Ashburn
Feature image of H Mart, stock.adobe.com
