International Marketplace


Note: unless you are in Las Vegas, this store is obviously not very convenient. But then, a lot of people do visit, and it is close to the strip.


Often is the time that I come across something on the internet, or in a recipe that is difficult or seeming impossible to find.

Pig's ears for example. Foie Gras,Whole Salted Anchovies (Acciughe Salate) or Taba ng talangka (crab fat paste).

Or how about Marmite, Cod roe, Coleman's Mustard and all the British items nearly impossible to find outside of the UK.

Then there is ahi poke, teriyake nori and cod liver.

My friend casually mentioned that he had been to International Marketplace the previous day and had picked up some Marmite - in an inverted plastic jar!
Heresy I cried! Did he not know that the very name "marmite" comes from an earthenware or metal pot? With a picture of a marmite on every jar?

My curiousity was piqued, so I decided to run down to Decatur and Tropicana and take a look.





Oh. My. God.


 


 


 



This place has everything.
Everything.
Japanese, Philippino, Hawaiian, Eastern European, British.
Rare Dutch chocolates, fresh fish, lobsters, oysters, durian fruit, German sausage, brazilian chorizo, italian hard salami, greek taramasalata - it just blew me away.

After the first hour, I had to go outside and sit just to calm myself down a little bit. Most of the time my lower jaw was dangling around my kneecaps.

Naturally I bought a $10 membership card for a 5% discount (I WILL RETURN MANY MANY TIMES), and here is what I came away with today:


  • 1 Young coconut, $1.09

    Love that sweet milk.

  • 4lb durian, $4.09

    never tried this before. Super stinky, but tastes something like smoked avocado.

  • Limu poke, $10.99lb

    always a great snack

  • Melon Creamy Soda $1.69 (like Cream Soda, with melon)

    Cream Soda was the recommended hangover cure at college, now with a melon twist!

  • Shirakiku, soft yoghurt drink, 59c (!)

  • King Oscar tinned Cod Liver $3.19

    Can this be as good as monkfish liver?

  • Coleman's Mustard $4.69 170g

    Essential for any Brit.

  • Guarana Antartica $2.99

    Never tried this. Curious again.

  • Giant Spanish Capers(Goya) $3.49

    Never seen these for sale before, several recipes I've tried call for them.

  • Latvian Sprats in Oil $1.49

    What I originally went for, and they are good!

  • Clam Juice, tins, large $2.69 for 48oz (!)

    I make my own clamato for chalada beer. Find a huge 48oz tin at 5c/oz is way better than the little 8oz jars for $2.69

  • Sunmore Cod Roe $6.49

    I love this with fish and chips, battered like the fish.

  • Teriyaki Nori (Hot) $1.99

    Just a great little spicy snack. Use for eel sushi too!



And these prices are good! As good or better than the corresponding national speciality stores (much better than British store ripoffs).

I am a happy boy.