Bay Area

Best Asian Grocery Stores in the Bay Area

Japanese imports, pan-Asian produce, and prepared bento

The Bay Area's Asian markets are regional specialists. San Francisco's Japanese grocers emphasize fresh fish and imported staples, San Jose's Vietnamese and Korean supermarkets carry the full range of Southeast Asian herbs and banchan, and the Indian grocers of the Peninsula handle spices by the kilo. The stores here are the ones locals actually restock at: fresh produce that turns over daily, prepared-food counters worth a trip on their own, and the ingredients that determine whether pho, kimchi jjigae, or biryani tastes right at home.