Best Asian Groceries
Super 88 Market
Quail eggs. Packets of fried garlic. Pickled young tamarind leaves. Kooky Japanese chocolates. If this is your grocery list, or if your shopping routine is in need of a Far Eastern kick, head to one of the six SUPER 88 MARKETS in the Boston area. Our personal pick is the one in Allston (which is affiliated with a food court so tempting we almost didn't make it to the store). Shelves are stocked with curious takes on old standards, like Ramen noodles in curry, onion, barbecue chicken, and "special" flavors; more than 20 varieties of oils, and a seasoning called "fragrant spice complex for magic spicy stewing." Plus, there's tons of cheap, exotic produce (Japanese eggplants, lychees) and 25-pound bags of rice for $18.99. The place is open till 11 pm, because there's no time like after dinner to pick up a one-liter bottle of organic, low-sodium soy sauce and some frozen scallion pancakes.SUPER 88 MARKET | One Brighton Avenue, Allston | 617.787.2288 | various other locations | super88market.com
