place to buy durian fruit in Chapel Hill / Durham area

[jeffreys]

Does anyone know where to buy fresh durian in the Triangle area? My son recently tried a durian shake at a Vietnamese restaurant in Virginia and actually liked it. (I find "rotten onions" to be an apt description of the flavor.) He's now in hot pursuit of the real (i.e., fresh) deal. Any suggestions? (Don't worry--he plans to open it and eat it outside).

[jeffreys]

Just wanted to pass on a funny story / warning about durian. We bought frozen durian, put it in a ziplock plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator. Apparently it fermented and yesterday, the plastic bag enclosing the fermented durian exploded inside our refrigerator. Several hours of cleanup ensued. Thankfully, there's no residual odor.

[jeffreys]

Thanks for the tips, Tom, Rockycat and Chazzer! I'll check those places out. Much appreciated.

[Tom from Raleigh]

Durian is really something to experience. I've never smelled anything so revolting in my life. Words fail to describe the odor.

I think they sell durian at the Asian market in Carrboro Plaza. It's a largely Thai store.

[LulusMom]

But it tastes ... good?

[chazzer]

It had a sweat onion type flavor that was enjoyable, it did become too much after awhile and the Durian Burps that followed were really bad.

[LulusMom]

Good explanation. Thanks.

[burgeoningfoodie]

It has been reported as anything from rotten onions to smelly gym socks. Wikipedia I believe has a description from a journal in the early 1900s and if Andrew Zimmern can't do it that is something to worry about.

[chazzer]

Both places will have them frozen, they also sell the flesh removed and frozen in plastic boxes.

[LulusMom]

So if the flesh is removed, is it a lot less stinky? I'd be interested in trying this stuff at some point.

[chazzer]

No it is just as stinky, you just don't need to cut it open and scoop it out yourself as it is stinking everything up. Either way it is an outside fruit.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Definitely not as you can buy it in the frozen section as just the fruit alone in a hard plastic box. If ever there was a food item that was an acquired taste, this would be it. Yes they are at both Li Mings and Grand Asia typically near the seafood areas in giant freezers. Don't confuse this with Jackfruit which externally looks similar (to me).

Speaking of Li Mings and Grand Asia.. I'm overdo for some Baozi and can anyone tell me why the bakery/steambars at these places are always cash only? Is it due to the charge you get if they put a charge through that is less than X dollars?

[Tom from Raleigh]

Li Ming's Global Market in Durham should have durian. I've tried it twice. I recommend cutting the fruit outdoors.

[rockycat]

+1 on the cutting it outside part.
Grand Asia in Cary usually has it too if you need to go farther afield.