Ethnic Grocers in Albany, NY

[truitt]

Am in search of good ethnic grocers in the Alabny NY area. Have searched a bit and it seems Central Avenue around the 1000-1100 blocks seems to be of interest... any assistance appreciated.

[PZ]

What ethnicity? Albany has Italian, Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Jamaican stores, and probably some others.

[truitt]

any and all of the above... am hunting Asian markets similar to Mitsuwa Marketplace, but any ethnic grocers are of interest. Recent transplant from Chicago to Western Mass and going into withdrawal.

Thanks for any help.

[Amy]

Yes, head for Central Ave. For East Asian there's the Asia Market (which is actually on Colvin) that's nice and big and has prepared foods and great produce, Lee's Market which is smaller but also very good, Kim's Oriental which has more Korean food that the others. There's a great Indian store on Central (maybe called India Bazaar) near the intersection of Mountain View Ave. There's Pellegrino Importing also on Central for great Italian. Also Roma Imports up in Latham. The Halal market in Latham, near 155, also has interesting stuff, although some of it's a little aged. Enjoy!

[Tracie]

I am unfamiliar with Mitsuwa Marketplace, but there is a well stocked Asian market on Central Ave. in Colonie called Lee Market. I'm not sure of the exact address, but it is not too far from Osborne Rd. Mainly Chinese, but they also have a lot of other Asian products, in particular a large selection of Japanese candy, if you're into that (which I am!) Good fresh vegetables and fish, too.

[PZ]

Amy's suggestions are all good. You can add to them Indian Spices on Fuller Rd., the Honest Weight Coop for a wide range of items (including a world-class cheese counter), Specialty World foods for frozen game and other high-end restaurant supplies. In Saratoga, Putnam Street Market and Roma's Saratoga are well worth checking out. A million years ago I wrote Provisions. 109 Great Places to Shop for Food in the Capital District; you might find a copy at a used book shop specializing in obsolete items. It will still give you an idea of where you might shop in Albany-Schenectady-Troy-Saratoga.

[truitt]

Thanks for all of the information... looking forward to a shopping adventure and subsequent gyoza making...

[Amy]

I realized this morning that there's another store I should have added. It's a little Russian store called Babushka Deli on N. Lake between Washington and Western. They have lots of Russian specialties, fresh, smoked, frozen and canned. REally nice people running the place, too.