Good (authentic) asian grocery stores in (near) Chinatown

I used to shop on Argyle Street, but I have moved and Chinatown is closer. Thanks to LTH, I know where to eat; however, I don't know where to go to shop for asian groceries in or near Chinatown. Where are the authentic (not for tourists) stores around chinatown? If I have missed a thread, can someone point me to it. Thanks in advances.

Well, there's Chinatown Market across from the mall. I've been in most(all?) of the Chinatown grocery stores and wouldn't describe any of them as "touristy."

Christopher Gordon wrote:Well, there's Chinatown Market across from the mall. I've been in most(all?) of the Chinatown grocery stores and wouldn't describe any of them as "touristy."

I second the Chinatown Market, and the proposition that most markets in Chinatown are not "touristy" -- I mean, they do attract some visitors, but the offerings do not seem in any way dumbed down.

Hammond

Tourists or not, here are the names and addresses of the three largest markets in the neighbourhood:

Mayflower Foods
2140 S. Archer
312.326.7450

Richwell Market
1835 S. Canal
312.226.9611

Chinatown Market
2121 S. Archer
312.881.0068

Detailed descriptions of these (and other Chinatown) markets can be found in The Slow Food Guide To Chicago.*


E.M.

* ISBN # 1.931498.61.X. G Wiv and I were jointly responsible for the coverage of these markets for The Guide.

Richwell is one of my favorite stops -- relatively clean, fairly wide range of products. Still not like the 99 Ranch Markets in other cities, but an adequate substitute.

99 Ranch Market, I miss you.

i'd rather do the opposite. live(d) near Chinatown, got tired of the nearby Chinese grocery store (mostly due to price gouging), hit up Argyle and now I refuse to buy anything south of Roosevelt. stick to:

Tai Nam
4925 N. Broadway
etc.

(Erik has given many addresses out for various Thai/Vietnamese supermarkets as well)

TonyC wrote:i'd rather do the opposite. live(d) near Chinatown, got tired of the nearby Chinese grocery store (mostly due to price gouging), hit up Argyle and now I refuse to buy anything south of Roosevelt. stick to:

Tai Nam
4925 N. Broadway
etc.

(Erik has given many addresses out for various Thai/Vietnamese supermarkets as well)

While the catalyst to this thread lamented moving away from Argyle, etc. I wholly agree that the stores along Uptown are better.

Erik M. wrote:* ISBN # 1.931498.61.X. G Wiv and I were jointly responsible for the coverage of these markets for The Guide.

Erik,

Kind of you to say, but I did little beyond provide a bit of telephonic encouragement, the wonderfully detailed Chinese Market Slow Food reviews are your work product. Truth be told, Erik was doing me, and Slow Food, a substantial favor as I had committed to do Chinese Markets, along with other sections and reviews. I had completed my various writing tasks, with the exception of Chinese Markets, and found myself in the hospital unable to finish before deadline.

Erik, friend that he is, took over the Chinese Market reviews at the 11th hour and the Slow Food guide is the better for his efforts.

Thanks again Erik.

Enjoy,
Gary

>>Where are the authentic (not for tourists) stores around chinatown?<<

Actually, could someone identify an inauthentic, for-tourists grocery in Chinatown? I would love to hang out there and watch a parade of Iowans, Germans, et al., gleefully enticed into the netherworld of a Chinese grocery, pungent with duck blood, ginseng, uncleaned fish tanks, and so on. I'd study and perhaps film their reactions, as the waves of aroma overpowered their diversion-seeking senses.

Thanks for all the suggestions and guidance everyone. I do miss just dropping by the Argyle Street area for supplies (I used to go to the one located in the strip mall on Broadway where the pizza place is).

Harry V. wrote:>>Where are the authentic (not for tourists) stores around chinatown?<<

Actually, could someone identify an inauthentic, for-tourists grocery in Chinatown? I would love to hang out there and watch a parade of Iowans, Germans, et al., gleefully enticed into the netherworld of a Chinese grocery, pungent with duck blood, ginseng, uncleaned fish tanks, and so on. I'd study and perhaps film their reactions, as the waves of aroma overpowered their diversion-seeking senses.

my sentiments exactly

LTH,

Stopped at Chinatown Market Sunday after the Phoenix for dim sum and, low and behold, they had the most elusive of chickens, the Black Skin Chicken. Never have I seen this chicken fresh in Chicago, once in a while frozen, but not fresh. My understanding is that the black skin chicken is often used in soup designed for herbal remedies.

Black Skin Chicken at Chinatown Market


Chinatown market was full of, as it typically is, interesting items yesterday, including live Geoduck clam.

Geoduck Clam with my friend Jill in background


There were also turtle, frog, eel, and other sea creatures, including this obviously kinky crab in bondage.



Enjoy,
Gary

Chinatown Market
2121 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
312-881-0068

We live closer to Chinatown, but head up to Argyle to "mix-it-up" from time to time (like this past weekend). IMHO both have their "specialties" - Argyle's much better for their variety of fresh herbs for Vietnamese or Thai cooking (the various basils are always beautiful at Hoa Nam) and "canned" curry pastes. Most of the Argyle markets do not carry live seafood, unlike the Chinatown markets. There is one Argyle market that seems to only sell live seafood with a smattering of other goods, however it does not approach the live varieties in Chinatown (ie: rarities such as cabezon, live snowcrab, razor clams, live shrimp, geoduck, eels and more). Argyle has that fresh rice noodle takeout shop, which in itself is a reason to head up there. The Chinatown markets are a touch cheaper in many essentials such as tofu and leafy greens. Seafood prices (both dead and live) are fairly comprable. Some staple bottled sauces (ie: Kimlan "High Class Grade" Soy, Hoisin, authentic oyster sauce and nuoc mam cham) are less expensive at Argyle. Argyle has a larger supply of rice noodles (supplying Chinese and Vietnamese company brands) as well as tofu (Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese company brands). Chinatown markets have a larger selection of "Asian" drinks particularly of the juicebox-container variety. As an aside, though not a "market" issue, Argyle's whole roast ducks are $2 cheaper IIRC.

I really like the meat counter at Chinatown market. Their spare ribs are cut perfectly,ground pork is just right for sir frying (tho not like hand chopped) and the $8 chinese chickens are very good (they will also cut these into pieces perfect for steaming). Also some ingredients like 'pixian' hot bean paste from Szechuan (made with broadbeans) are not readily available on Argyle.

Looking for a good grocery store to hit in Chinatown. First time I'm doing this and just want to look for some basics that are hard to find in your regular grocery stores, e.g. kecap manis.

Parking would be awesome and I'll probably have my toddler with me so i'd probably prefer ease of access over other criteria.

Thanks!

Hi,

Perhaps some of these Chinatown shopping threads will offer some sources, too.

Chinese food shopping with dedicated parking:

Chinatown Market
2121 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
312-881-0068

RICHWELL MARKET (larger grocery with bakery)
1835 B S. Canal Street
312-226-9611

Regards,