It’s Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and here’s how to celebrate.
On top of attending AsiaFest May 6, Planoites can celebrate by buying and eating from Asian-owned businesses and Asian markets in town. Here are 10 of the biggest and what to expect:
H Mart Plano
Pan-Asian
3320 K Ave.
H Mart is a nationwide Asian grocery chain. Though groceries are its biggest section, the store also sells everyday essential and upscale products through a booth-like adjoining store. Prominent sections include fresh seafood, a cosmetics area and a food cart.
Daiso Japan
Japanese
101 Spring Creek Parkway #731
Though this “market” doesn’t sell many groceries, Daiso sells just about anything else you can think of. The discount store is full of stationary, stuffed animals, housewares, toys, decor, and much more at discounted prices.
Mitsuwa Marketplace
Japanese
100 Legacy Drive
In close proximity to both 99 Ranch and Jusgo, you’ll find Mitsuwa Marketplace. The chain offers Japanese groceries, cosmetics, appliances and housewares. Surrounding the store is a Japanese bookstore, a revolving sushi bar, boba, salon that specializes in Asian hair-types and Korean, Japanese and ramen restaurants. The mochi bar and bento to-go stations set Mitsuwa apart from its supermarket neighbors.
Jusgo Supermarket
Pan-Asian
240 Legacy Drive #200
Jusgo Supermarket sells fresh and packaged foods from several Asian countries, plus meat and seafood. Inside the market is a Chinese porcelain store, a bakery and a clothing store in stall-like shops. Surrounding the market are Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean and Chinese restaurants. Sweet tooths can check out the rice yogurt (a dessert comfort food in many Asian countries) or boba tea in the area.
Oasis International Market
Middle Eastern/Pakistani/Indian
6150 Independence Parkway
Oasis International Market is a local grocery store centered around Mediterranean and Desi products. All meat offered is Certified Zabiha Halal, and the market has a massive selection of Middle Eastern herbs, spices and other goods. Aside from groceries, Oasis also sells Islamic wear. The store also has a bakery and cafe, where you can find shawarma, hummus, mudammas and other regional dishes and is located near a Pakistani juice bar and the G.E.M Multicultural Center.
99 Ranch Market
Pan-Asian
131 Spring Creek Parkway
99 Ranch Market is a grocery chain carrying imported specialty foods plus meat, seafood, produce and baked goods. Near Sri Ganesha Temple in Plano, 99 Ranch stands at the center of the shopping center, surrounded by Chinese, Afgani, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese restaurants, a Chinese dance school, and 99 Ranch’s typical accompaniments: Daiso Japan discount store and 85°C Bakery Cafe.
BMart Indian
Grocery and Halal Meat
Indian
8201 Ohio Drive Suite 102
In West Plano, a bodega-eque BMart sells halal meat and specific Indian grocery items. While it’s not quite large enough for a full grocery haul, it serves as a quick place for West Planoites to get that missing item on their lists. BMart is located next to restaurant Bawarchi Biryanis.
Taj Grocers Plano
Indian/SE Asian
6921 Independence Parkway #210
Taj Grocers is a South Asian grocery chain with a large selection of produce and a variety of traditional Indian dishes like masala and paneer. There also is a seating area to enjoy the made-before-you dishes before returning to shopping. Nearby is a Desi-owned butcher shop.
Indopak Supermarket
Indian/Pakistani
2060 Spring Creek Parkway #4285
Indopak is a small supermarket and cafe that sells samosas, kabab, curry and a wide selection of produce and halal meats. While the food court-esque area is more frequented than the grocery section, the store makes it easy to grab a few necessities and a bite at the same time.
zTAO Marketplace Coit
Chinese/Pan-Asian
2049 Coit Road #300
On the west side of Plano, zTao Marketplace sells groceries, dinnerware, health and wellness products, and beauty supplies. zTao has an online ordering system, diverse seafood display and plenty of the hot pot fixins.
