Kimchi by the gallon. Chicken feet, quail, and banana flower.
That’s a real shopping list at one New Mexico grocery store, and it barely scratches the surface.
The shelves also hold Thai green and red chiles, fresh jackfruit, and calamansi drinks. For years, cooks in this city had to drive to Albuquerque for ingredients like these.
Now they can grab them across town.
I like how personal the whole place feels. A family runs it, and the owners actually ask shoppers what they should stock next.
I can’t imagine a better way to build a grocery store.
There’s even a sushi and ramen bar inside. You could stop in for a few groceries and end up staying for lunch.
And just when you think you’ve seen it all, another aisle gives you something new to discover.
Santa Fe Finally Got The Asian Grocery It Was Missing
Before spring 2022, Santa Fe cooks had a tricky problem. Recipes calling for fish sauce or fresh lemongrass often meant a long drive south.
Santa Fe Asian Market changed that when it opened its doors. Myanmar native David Thianhlun launched the store to fill that gap in the city.
The store has become an important destination for Asian groceries in Santa Fe. That makes it a big deal for home cooks, curious snackers, and anyone missing flavors from home.
The store aims to serve two groups at once. Santa Fe has a lively foodie crowd, plus immigrant families who want familiar ingredients nearby.
I believe that mix is what gives the market its heart. One shopper might hunt for mochi supplies while another restocks a favorite soy sauce.
Albuquerque still has bigger Asian markets, of course. But saving an hour on the road for one bottle of oyster sauce feels like a win.
The market has also kept growing since opening day. New products keep appearing, and the fresh produce selection has been expanding too.
Think of it as a small store with a big mission. Santa Fe waited a long time for this one.
Kimchi By The Gallon Is Just The Opening Act
Most grocery stores sell kimchi in a tiny jar. Here, you can buy it by the gallon, which feels like a bold life choice in the best way.
That giant jar sets the tone for the whole fresh section. The coolers and shelves hold items that rarely show up at regular supermarkets.
Chicken feet are on the list, ready for slow-simmered broths and dim sum style dishes. Quail is another find that might make you rethink your weekly dinner plans.
Got a big family or a serious fermented-food habit? That gallon of kimchi suddenly sounds very practical.
It works in fried rice, stews, noodle bowls, and even grilled cheese. A big jar disappears faster than you might expect.
Frozen eel, or unagi, also turns up in this part of the store. It’s a fun pick for anyone wanting to try a home-style eel rice bowl.
My advice is simple. Bring a cooler bag, especially on warm New Mexico days, so your cold finds stay cold on the ride home.
Then plan a meal around something new. You came for kimchi, after all, so why stop there?
Thai Chiles In Chile Country? Yes, Please
New Mexico takes chile very seriously. So spotting Thai green and red chiles in the produce section feels like a friendly flavor handshake.
These little peppers bring a sharp, bright heat to curries and stir-fries. Hatch fans may enjoy the chance to compare notes.
Jackfruit is another eye-catcher in the fresh area. It’s a popular choice for both sweet treats and savory dishes.
Then there’s banana flower, which many shoppers have never cooked before. It shows up in Southeast Asian salads and curries.
Lemongrass, daikon, and cabbage also appear here. Fresh shimeji mushrooms make an easy upgrade for soups and noodle bowls.
Asian eggplants have their own fan club among shoppers too. They’re slender, tender, and great for quick sautés.
Here’s a tip. Produce can change from week to week, so stay flexible with your shopping list.
The market has been expanding its fresh selection over time. A quick look around might lead you to tonight’s dinner idea.
Pick one unfamiliar item and look up a simple recipe. Banana flower curry could become your new favorite brag at the next potluck.
The Sauce Aisle Could Upgrade Your Whole Kitchen
Soy sauce comes in more than one flavor, and this aisle proves it. Bottles line up in different styles, ready to change how your cooking tastes.
Fish sauces and oyster sauces sit nearby. So do bean sauces, plum sauces, and several kinds of vinegar.
That variety matters more than you’d think. A Thai recipe and a Korean recipe often call for very different bottles.
Santa Fe Asian Market also stocks flavorings and rice seasonings. A sprinkle of seasoning can turn plain rice into a quick snack.
Roasted seaweed and green tea round out the pantry staples. Mochiko rice flour is here too, perfect for mochi and chewy baked treats.
Start small if the choices feel overwhelming. One good fish sauce and one quality soy sauce can cover lots of meals.
Read labels while you browse. Some shelf items run high in sodium, so checking helps if you’re watching salt.
Not sure which sauce to grab? The friendly staff can point you in the right direction.
Your kitchen cabinet may never look the same again. Honestly, that’s the fun part.
You Can Eat Sushi And Ramen Before You Shop
Shopping hungry is risky. Luckily, this market is also home to Joy’s Sushi Bar, where you can enjoy sushi and ramen right inside the building.
The prepared food section grew from a simpler start. Early on, the store offered pre-made sushi before expanding into a fuller counter.
Now you can grab a meal and then wander the aisles. Your snack choices might even be a bit smarter on a full stomach.
Maybe, anyway. The candy aisle is still waiting.
The sushi spot also takes carry-out orders by phone. That makes a sushi night at home pretty easy to pull off.
I like how this setup turns a grocery run into a mini outing. Lunch plus shopping feels like a great use of an afternoon.
It’s handy for busy weeknights too. Pick up dinner, grab breakfast supplies, and head home in one stop.
Ramen lovers get a double treat here. Eat a bowl at the counter, then browse the shelves for instant noodles to cook later.
Few grocery stores in New Mexico let you compare fresh and packaged ramen in one trip. Consider it delicious research.
Snack Hunters Should Budget Extra Time Here
Jumbo macarons. Fish-shaped ice cream.
Calamansi drinks in the cooler.
That’s what the fun side of this store looks like. The candy and snack aisles are packed with bright packages and playful flavors.
Fish-shaped ice cream treats are a standout for many shoppers. Ice cream pops in the freezer make a sweet reward after errands.
Calamansi and yuzu drinks bring citrus flavors that taste different from regular lemonade. They’re refreshing on a sunny Santa Fe afternoon.
K-pop fans have a reason to cheer too. The market carries News Korea products, including BTS coffee and drinks.
Picking a favorite snack here is almost impossible. Chips, crackers, and candies come in flavors you won’t find at a gas station.
A fun idea is a snack swap with friends. Everyone picks something new, then you taste-test together.
Kids especially love this kind of treasure hunt. Just set a snack limit before you enter the aisle.
Otherwise, your cart might hold more candy than groceries. No judgment here, though, since adventure counts as nutrition for the soul.
Dumpling Fans, Head Straight To The Freezer
Frozen dumplings might be the ultimate busy-night hero. This freezer section holds a large variety of them.
Shoppers often call the frozen selection one of the store’s strengths. It’s a great place to stock up for future meals.
Dumplings cook fast in boiling water or a hot pan. Add a dipping sauce from the sauce aisle, and dinner is basically done.
Pan-frying gives them crispy bottoms. Steaming keeps them soft and tender.
The noodle shelves pair nicely with this freezer haul. Toss a few dumplings into ramen for an easy upgrade.
Frozen eel shows up here too, along with other frozen foods worth exploring. Browsing slowly pays off.
A smart move is buying two or three different kinds at once. Then you can figure out your favorites without extra trips.
Freezer space at home matters, so measure before you go wild. A packed freezer is a happy freezer, but only if the door still closes.
On lazy Sundays, when the store is closed, you’ll be glad you stocked up. Future you will say thanks.
Ask For Something Special And They Might Stock It
Missing a certain brand of miso or a rare spice? The owners actually want to hear about it.
Santa Fe Asian Market encourages shoppers to suggest items for future stocking. Staff are often willing to place special orders too.
That’s the beauty of a mom-and-pop shop. Big chains rarely listen this closely to one customer.
The store is family run, and its staff earn steady praise for being friendly and helpful. Questions feel welcome here.
The aisles hold more than food. Cookware shows up on the shelves, including cute spoons with kitty faces.
Spices have their own aisle as well. Some shoppers have asked for more Indian ingredients, and the store has been slowly building that selection.
Here’s a practical tip. Write down the exact name of any product you want, or snap a photo of the package.
That makes special orders much easier for everyone. Clear details help the right item land on the shelf.
The market also accepts EBT. That helps more New Mexico families enjoy these ingredients without extra hassle.
Kindness and good food? That’s a pretty great combo.
Plan Your Visit Around These Easy Details
Finding the store is simple once you know where to look. It sits inside the St. Michael’s Village West Shopping Center.
The address is 1644 St Michaels Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87505. That puts it on a busy, easy-to-reach road in town.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. Closing times have been listed differently in some places, so check before heading out late.
Sundays are a no-go, since the store is closed. Plan weekend sushi cravings accordingly.
A morning visit gives you more time to browse calmly. Produce and snack aisles deserve a slow walk.
Bring reusable bags if you have them. Gallon kimchi jars and frozen dumplings add up fast.
Visiting Santa Fe from out of town? This stop pairs nicely with a day of exploring the city.
Grab some snacks for the road, plus a cold calamansi drink. Your car ride just got tastier.
Locals have a handy new routine too. Pick up groceries, grab lunch at the sushi counter, and be home before traffic picks up.