There is nothing like popping in an Asian market. For many in the Tampa area, going to an Asian market was a regular occurrence, but to others it can be a new and unique cultural experience. I mean how often do you see live tilapia in a bucket on the floor of a supermarket aisle? Asian supermarkets are not for the faint of heart.
Besides the live fish, these markets are lined wall to wall with fresh produce, spices, meats, seafood, and everything in between. We know that having so many options can be overwhelming for you, so we broke down each of the Asian Markets in Tampa for you! Check these out and let us know what you think!
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Sanwa Farmer’s Market:
Sanwa Farmer’s Market has a huge selection of multicultural foods and flavors as well as top quality national brands. They have great low prices because they sort of operate like a wholesale club, but they have no membership fees, so it is open to the public! They have great deals on meat and produce. You can read more about them here.
2621 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL
Hours:
Sun 8:00am-5:00pm
Mon-Thur 4:30am-7:00pm
Fri-Sat 4:00am-7:00pm
Lien Hoa Oriental Market
Lien Hoa Oriental Market has a wide variety of options, while focusing mostly on Vietnamese items. While they have plenty of fresh produce, meats, and seafood, they also have a great pre-made selection. You can walk in and walk out with the perfect lunch! Prices are good at Lien Hoa especially on their dragonfruit, and, hey, they even have diamonds in the rough like rolled jackfruit and grass jelly drinks.
3692 West Waters Ave, Tampa, FL
Hours:
Open daily from 7:00am-8:00pm typically
Oceanic Oriental Supermarket
Wild findings can be caught at Oceanic Oriental like Mr. Squid spicy fried squid, bomb Korean short ribs, a whole wall of hot sauces, red bean mooncakes, double yolks eggs, quail eggs, roast duck hanging in a case and all the herbal medicines to make your eye stop twitching. In fact, we are just going to say it, if you have not walked around in here, you need to put it on your calendar. Like now.
1609 N. Tampa Street, Tampa, FL
Hours:
Every day of the friggin week from 9:00am-7:30pm.
A-Green Oriental Market
A Korean grocer right next to Ho Hoy Choy. They have a wonderful selection of noodles and some great hard-to-find items for cooking curry and other Asian staples. They also have some adorable Bento Box accessories. We also had our first grape Sac Sac here and it was weird and unforgettable.
1321 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL
Hours:
Every day from 9:00am to 9:00pm, baby.
MD Oriental Market
Eels in tanks. You asked for it and you got it, Tampa. MD Oriental has far more than eels in tanks, but they have all the crab and fresh seafood you need. Yes, the water is a little cloudy, but stop being such a stick in the mud. Besides the eels, they have a solid produce section with Asian standouts like gingko nuts, lychee, mangosteen, Shingo pear, and Korean melon. Grab a box of cookies and cream Pocky and peruse, friends.
1106 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL
Hours:
Every day from 8:30am to 8:00pm.
Kotobuki Oriental Market
Kotobuki specializes in Japanese grocery items and they even have Japanese VHSs and DVDs for purchase or to rent. Many of the same items appear here as in other stores, but Kotobuki has some nice touches like kimonos and sushi knives.
5537 Sheldon Rd Ste W
Town N Country, FL
Hours
Monday to Saturday 10:00am – 7:00pm
Philippine Grocery
This spot some of your fave Filipino snacks and treats – polvoron, prawn crackers, ChocNut, and they do Balikbayan boxes. If readers are not familiar, the latter comes from the Tagalog word for a returning Filipino from abroad and these boxes help feed relatives back in the Philippines and give expats a lifeline back to their home. Often these boxes can be 50 to 100 pounds carrying the feelings, emotions and proof of love like dresses, Spam, American candies, etc. all inside a giant cardboard box.
13934 W Hillsborough Ave.
Hours
Monday to Thursday 10:00am – 7:00pm
Friday and Saturday 10:00am – 8:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm- 6:00pm
Kim Brothers
One of the best Korean grocers with on-point homemade kimchi in the refrigerators to the right after you walk in. They also have great seasoned small crabs and homemade bulgogi – plus, they even do catering orders.
4021 W Hillsborough Ave
Hours
Tuesday through Saturday 9:00am-8:30pm
Sunday 9:00am -8:00pm
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