Strange Bazaars: Exploring SF's Ethnic Markets

by Chelsea Lin - Citysearch Editor - 76 Reviews - 90 Lists

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Updated: October 29, 2009

Besides a few dusty bottles of fish sauce in the "Asian food" aisle, Safeway is as dull and unexotic as you can get. But visit one of the city's many ethnic markets and you'll be transported to another world by the smell of exotic spices, transfixed by strange fruits, vegetables and meats, and often surprised by the great prices. Whether you're cooking up an authentic Indian dinner and need some garam masala, or just want to check out the weird stuff they eat in Japan, read on. (Photo: Eels, ready for unagi, at Nijiya.)

Global Grocers

  1. 1 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Bombay Bazar
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    548 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    This quiet, fragrant Indian grocery shop on Valencia is overshadowed by next door sister biz Bombay Ice Creamery and their exotic flavors, but anyone familiar with the flavors of the Middle East knows this is the place to come for cheap bags of all those necessary spices--cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric--you'll pay top dollar for at Whole Foods.

  2. 2 Grand Perkins Market
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    346 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 (map)

    This Grand Avenue mini mart with the colorful murals advertises their specialties pretty obviously--signs outside list the host of Ethiopian items they carry, like injera (the spongy, sour crepe-like bread served alongside spicy curries) and honey wine--even though inside it mostly looks like any other slightly sketchy Oakland corner store.

  3. 3 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended La Palma Mexicatessen
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    2884 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    We're pretty sure "mexicatessen" isn't an actual word, so props to this Mission grocer for moving it into the city's lexicon. This place not only stocks all the ingredients you need to make a seriously fresh, seriously authentic Mexican meal (fresh masa, cans of chipotle), but they also have a deli counter where you can pick up amazing homemade tamales, tortas and more (even in party-size portions) in case you're too lazy to take the project on yourself.

  4. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Lucca Delicatessen
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    2120 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)

    Homemade raviolis, mortadella by the pound, creamy fontina cheese--all in one out-of-North-Beach location? Bellissimo! Fans of salty meats and pungent cheeses will appreciate this Mission deli/market that stocks a solid selection of Italian goods, plus fresh pastas that are so good you'll never go back to the dried stuff from Safeway.

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Nijiya Market
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    1737 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (map)

    Japantown has no shortage of restaurant options, but if you're looking for ingredients to cook your own authentic Japanese meal, there is only Nijiya. Straight out of the Tokyo suburbs, this supermarket stocks everything from pre-made bento boxes and sashimi-cut fish to fresh lotus root and awesomely Engrish cookies like the popular Collon Creams.

  6. 6 Roxie Market & Deli
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    500 Kirkham St, San Francisco, CA 94122 (map)

    Anyone who's traveled to the UK knows that there are few things better than a full English breakfast. Get your canned baked beans, black pudding and brown sauce at this Inner Sunset market with a delicious focus on all things British and Irish. Bonus: fresh loaves of soda bread are next to the cash registers--pick one up before you go.

  7. 7 Seakor Polish Delicatessan
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    5957 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)

    Traditional North American palates don't usually have a fondness for pickled fish, head cheese and some of the more acquired Eastern European tastes available at this Richmond district Polish deli, but everyone here loves the sausage--made in-house and served up in links and logs to 'que at home or in a bun to go at lunch.

  8. 8 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Tel Aviv Kosher Market
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    2495 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122 (map)

    East Coasters know their Jewish delis, and thanks to this Outer Sunset staple, so do San Franciscans. The relatively tiny market carries a wide variety of kosher grocery items, while the deli inside offers matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, babaganoush, schnitzel, knishes and all kinds of things you should keep on hand next time your bubbie visits.

  9. 9 Duc Loi
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    2200 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    If ever a grocery store matched its neighborhood, it would be this corner Mission market that seamlessly combines healthy Asian and Mexican ingredients with just the right amount of American junk food, where you can pick up fresh chiles and herbs, a selection from the impressively whole-animal meat counter, and a bottle of Aunt Jemima syrup.

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