Sometimes, you just want to make Chicken Fried Rice at home, but when you go to Piggly Wiggly the ingredients are nowhere to be found. That’s when you think to yourself, “Man, I wish there was an Asian Market in Charleston!” In an effort to help you during situations like this, I have compiled a handy list of ethnic grocery stores in the Charleston area that shows you just how far the Holy City has come in terms of cultural offerings. Believe me, not every grocery store in Charleston offers only Shrimp and Grits.
I had the opportunity to stop by the largest Asian Market in the Charleston area which was simply known as “H&L”. Not to be confused with “H&M” which, let’s be honest is a totally different experience in itself. H&L stands for…don’t ask me what it stands for, I’m sure I would never be able to say it anyways. If you’ve never ventured into an Asian market, I highly recommend it. It’s a place full of wondrous and exotic things that you’ll probably never see anywhere else. I went to the market specifically to find ingredients for a Filipino dish I used to love to eat whenever my parents cooked it. The dish was called “Tocino” and all it was, was marinated sweet cured chicken that went perfectly with steamed white rice and tomato’s seasoned with salt and pepper. My mouth just started to water just describing that. Here’s a picture for your enjoyment:
So good…so so good. If you want to venture out to the Asian market and try something new and exciting, then here are your options:
1) H&L Asian Market – 5300-1 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406 – (843) 745-9365 – You can get most, if not all your Asian grocery needs here.
2) The Krishna Indian Grocery – 2110 Greenridge Rd. Ste. A, North Charleston, SC 29404
3) Lucky Oriental Market – 5341 Dorchestor Rd. Unit 10, North Charleston, SC (843) 760-0999
