Thai Recipes Cooking
Classes Thai Cookbooks Food Articles Thai
Ingredients East Bay Markets: Berkeley | Oakland-Chinatown
| Oakland-East | Richmond
| San Pablo These markets were surveyed in
2002 & 2003 This is just a partial list of the many Asian markets in the East Bay of the
San Francisco Bay Area. This is Kasma's shopping area and she has shopped at all of the markets
mentioned below. When shopping, she usually plans on visiting more than one markets in order to get
all of her favorite brands, the very freshest produce, and to track
down fresh ingredients, such as holy basil. One asterisk
(*) indicates a good market; two asterisks (**) indicates an
excellent market. Erawan Thai Market
1463 University Ave.
Berkeley |
A former farvorite, Erawan is now closed. | Thailand Market
1704 University Ave.
Berkeley
(510) 486-0515 | Formerly "Chao Thai" market. Many of
the basics, not always with Kasma's favorite brands. Still, you can pick up a curry paste or needed
tapioca starch (for example) in a pinch. | TUK TUK Thai & Asian
Market
1581 University Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94703
(510) 666-1120 | TUK TUK has
morphed from a large, well-stocked Thai market into one that looks like it's barely holding on. As
of May 2008 the shelves are minimally stocked, though they do have many of the basics (curry paste,
etc.) – not too strong on Kasma's favorite brands. |
Options: S.F. Area Market Listing
| Return to top
Oakland's Chinatown should really be called "Asian-town" – there are
as many Southeast Asian markets as Chinese. Street parking can be a problem here but there is a
small lot on Franklin and 9th street and a larger underground lot in the Asian Cultural Center
building on Franklin in between 9th and 10th streets.
*Khanh Phong Supermarket
429 Ninth St.
Oakland, CA 94067
(510) 839-9094 | A
complete market, with a full produce selection and even some fish. Carry most of Kasma's preferred brands. This is where Kasma begins when shopping in
Chinatown. | New Saigon Supermarket
441 Ninth St.
Oakland, CA
94607
(510) 839-4149 | Mostly dry goods but including some of Kasma's preferred brands at good prices. |
Oakland Market
401 9th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 835-4919 | Good
especially for two items: carbon steel woks (not always in stock) and fresh rice noodles. |
Cho Lon Moi
378 Eighth St.
Oakland, CA 94607
(510)
451-5808 | Vietnamese owners and a fairly good selection, including produce. They usually
have stone mortar and pestle and inexpensive, but sharp, Kiwi knives. | Sam Yick's Oriental Market
362 Eighth St.
Oakland, CA 94607
(510)
832-0662 | Vietnamese owners and a fairly good selection, including produce. |
Old Oakland Farmer's Market
9th Street, below Broadway
Oakland, CA
Friday mornings only | This Friday morning farmer's market deserves
mention as one of the best places to get Asian produce. When in season a very large bunch
of holy basil can be purchased for $1.00. Asian greens of all varieties
from the many Hmong vendors. What you don't find can be purchased in the markets across
Broadway. | Options: S.F. Area Market Listing |
Return to top
International Blvd (formerly East 14th Street), in the lower numbers, has some
outstanding markets. Parking is fairly good. The three bottom market are pretty good with
hard-to-find items such as kaffir lime leaves (not always available). If you are shopping from
scratch for a Thai feast or kitchen, the 4 markets below are a good choice. *Sun Hop Fat 1 Supermarket
501 East 12th Street
Oakland, CA 94606
(510)
763-8888 | A large market, really quite excellent, with a parking lot – most useful!
They carry most of Kasma's preferred brands. | ** Sontepheap Market
1400 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94607
(510)
436-3826
| Cambodian market with most of Kasma's favorite brands and some great
extras. Very fresh young coconut and some excellent food to go - try the Laab when you can. Small
aisles but a great selection. Often have fresh kaffir lime leaves and even
pea eggplants in season (late summer). Two blocks away from the following two markets. |
Lao Market
1619 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94606
(510)
536-5888 | Although this market and its neighbor, May Kong (below), are smaller and do not
have as wide a selection as some of the other markets, they often have extremely fresh Thai produce,
such as galanga, and items other markets don't carry, such as the occasional pea eggplant or wing
bean. One or both often have fresh kaffir lime leaves, making it worth a
trip out there. | May Kong
1613 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 261-7630 | Although this is a smaller market they usually have
fresh kaffir lime leaves and fresh holy basil.
They sometimes sell their own home-made roasted curry paste (nahm prik pao) and pickled
vegetables. Worth a trip. | Options:
S.F. Area Market Listing | Return to top
Ranch 99 Market
3288 Pierce St., Suite 500
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 769-8899 |
A quite large market with a good selection of Thai ingredients, although they are spread out
all over the store. There is a decent fish market. They stock most, if not all, of Kasma's preferred brands – unfortunately not her preferred fish
sauce brands. | ** Heng Fath
(Wong Fat in phonebook)
435
23rd St.
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 234-3895 | An excellent market with almost
everything at great prices. Run by a Thai. Nearly all of Kasma's preferred
brands, including her two favorite fish sauces (Golden Boy & Tra Chang). Stock can
sometimes be a bit older, however. | Options:
S.F. Area Market Listing | Return to top
**
Mekong Market
(Houa Khong Market?)
2049 23rd St.
San Pablo, CA 94806
510-233-9542
| "This market is very well stocked with everything (i.e.they get Holy Basil delivered on
Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays). I would grade this Market with 2-3 asterisks." – from a
student. | **That Luang Market
1610 23rd St.
San Pablo, CA
94806
(510) 232-2625 | Everything, including Kasma's
preferred brands , except fish sauce: they did have Squid brand (acceptable). Good frozen
shrimp. Fresh kaffir lime leaves and other produce. |
Options: S.F. Area Market Listing
| Return to top
Also Available: Markets in the S. F. Bay Area | Online & Mail-order Markets | Markets in the U.S. | Seeds & Plants |
Kasma's preferred brands!
Options: Recipe index | Articles on Thai food and culture | Thai cooking classes |
Thai cookbooks | Ingredient index | Contact Kasma | Return to Top
One asterisk (*) indicates a good
market; two asterisks (**) indicates an excellent market. |