Food and shopping options are plentiful here but there is no "perfect" place to do all the shopping. There are super stores that remind me of Walmart or Target Superstores called Tesco and Aeon. There are many several smaller neighborhood grocery store options such as Giant (not affiliated with the American brand) and Econsave, supposedly the least expensive (and most smelly in my opinion). There are 24-hour options like 7-11 and FU MARTS which are like 7-11's with a funnier name...And, last but not least, the "farmer's markets" called "wet markets" for reasons I'll explain later.
First, the superstores...I hate to admit it but they are my "go-to" first choice. They have air-conditioning and refrigerated coolers that are...well....actually refrigerated. Even though they tend to lay out the raw unpackaged meat, they do tend to keep a supply of ice underneath all those protein parts. They tend to have many fewer flies than the neighborhood stores. The drawbacks are their hours...most doen't open until 10:00 am-a little late for my "early to bed, early to rise" schedule.
Another drawback to these stores is the freshness and stock. In other words, it's hit or miss as to whether either will have yogurt, skim milk, or bananas on any given day. (Note to self: try to find out what day their trucks arrive.) One plus is that they are "trying" to cater to the large expat population here so both have different foreign options from French butter and Australian cheese, to Jif peanut butter and Smucker's jelly, The problem is that you can't plan a menu around what you want to buy. Rather, you must see what's available on that day. A quick internet search for "recipes" based upon today's ingredients and you're all set.
Second, the neighborhood grocery store options....As Asian friend took me to one a couple of weeks ago to help me navigate to store. She uses this store for fresh produce and fish (not meat) but she did recommend that I come first thing in the morning.
Fast forward a few days, and I decided to venture back in. I chose this particular store because it was a "left turn" on the way home from work and I much prefer those on the motorcycle. I didn't give much thought to the fact that it was 4:30 pm.....Walking in the door, I was met by the gag-inducing smell of ripe Durien fruit (no offense meant to those who find the scent of this fruit pleasing to the nostrils..)
Not to be deterred, I walked a bit further, grabbed a plastic baggie and tried to locate some unblemished, recognizable produce. I ended up with a single head of cabbage. Then, I walked to the bins of fresh fish.Thousands of dull eyes of all shapes and sizes were staring at me. The fish eyes were imploring me to find the ice man. In fact, one fish, covered in flies, suggested to me that perhaps he'd been sitting in the tepid water of melted ice for most of the day. Fish was NOT going to be on the menu for dinner.
Carrying my lone head of cabbage a little further, I walked to the refrigerated section where I found a small container of "Greek Style" yogurt. I checked the date and was satisfied that it had some time remaining before expiration. After paying for my 6 oz of yogurt and bald, white cabbage head I left as quickly as polite behavior would allow.
Next, the quickie marts...Depending upon the neighborhood where each is located determines the availability of alcohol. For example, the 7-11 near our house does not have alcohol but the one near the beach does. It must have to do with tourism. The FU MART near our house has delicious, decadent Magnum ice cream bars worth a late-night ride for their sugar, chocolate fix.
Finally, the "wet markets". I think they get their name because they sell fish and products from the sea (dried fish, seaweed, bottom feeders, top feeders,) that might have been caught it deep water, brackish water, rivers and/or sludge. Another possible reason they might be called "wet markets" is because you have to roll up your pants and wear Crocs to keep your feet and pants out of the muck. On a positive note, the produce is good and apparently the prices are very good. I'm never so sure because we are obviously foreigners so I think we ALWAYS pay foreigner prices which are probably close to the printed prices at the superstores.
In conclusion, we are lucky to have so many shopping options and I can usually find something good to eat. Flexibility and breathing through one's mouth are the keys to a successful shopping experience.
First, the superstores...I hate to admit it but they are my "go-to" first choice. They have air-conditioning and refrigerated coolers that are...well....actually refrigerated. Even though they tend to lay out the raw unpackaged meat, they do tend to keep a supply of ice underneath all those protein parts. They tend to have many fewer flies than the neighborhood stores. The drawbacks are their hours...most doen't open until 10:00 am-a little late for my "early to bed, early to rise" schedule.
Another drawback to these stores is the freshness and stock. In other words, it's hit or miss as to whether either will have yogurt, skim milk, or bananas on any given day. (Note to self: try to find out what day their trucks arrive.) One plus is that they are "trying" to cater to the large expat population here so both have different foreign options from French butter and Australian cheese, to Jif peanut butter and Smucker's jelly, The problem is that you can't plan a menu around what you want to buy. Rather, you must see what's available on that day. A quick internet search for "recipes" based upon today's ingredients and you're all set.
Second, the neighborhood grocery store options....As Asian friend took me to one a couple of weeks ago to help me navigate to store. She uses this store for fresh produce and fish (not meat) but she did recommend that I come first thing in the morning.
Fast forward a few days, and I decided to venture back in. I chose this particular store because it was a "left turn" on the way home from work and I much prefer those on the motorcycle. I didn't give much thought to the fact that it was 4:30 pm.....Walking in the door, I was met by the gag-inducing smell of ripe Durien fruit (no offense meant to those who find the scent of this fruit pleasing to the nostrils..)
Not to be deterred, I walked a bit further, grabbed a plastic baggie and tried to locate some unblemished, recognizable produce. I ended up with a single head of cabbage. Then, I walked to the bins of fresh fish.Thousands of dull eyes of all shapes and sizes were staring at me. The fish eyes were imploring me to find the ice man. In fact, one fish, covered in flies, suggested to me that perhaps he'd been sitting in the tepid water of melted ice for most of the day. Fish was NOT going to be on the menu for dinner.
Carrying my lone head of cabbage a little further, I walked to the refrigerated section where I found a small container of "Greek Style" yogurt. I checked the date and was satisfied that it had some time remaining before expiration. After paying for my 6 oz of yogurt and bald, white cabbage head I left as quickly as polite behavior would allow.
Next, the quickie marts...Depending upon the neighborhood where each is located determines the availability of alcohol. For example, the 7-11 near our house does not have alcohol but the one near the beach does. It must have to do with tourism. The FU MART near our house has delicious, decadent Magnum ice cream bars worth a late-night ride for their sugar, chocolate fix.
Finally, the "wet markets". I think they get their name because they sell fish and products from the sea (dried fish, seaweed, bottom feeders, top feeders,) that might have been caught it deep water, brackish water, rivers and/or sludge. Another possible reason they might be called "wet markets" is because you have to roll up your pants and wear Crocs to keep your feet and pants out of the muck. On a positive note, the produce is good and apparently the prices are very good. I'm never so sure because we are obviously foreigners so I think we ALWAYS pay foreigner prices which are probably close to the printed prices at the superstores.
In conclusion, we are lucky to have so many shopping options and I can usually find something good to eat. Flexibility and breathing through one's mouth are the keys to a successful shopping experience.
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