While most of us will never have a chance to circumnavigate the globe, there ARE ways to experience the many cultures that exist in this beautiful world!  One way that Eric and I prefer is to visit ethnic groceries and restaurants that specialize in regional cuisines.  On a recent trip to Houston, we did just that.  We made a list, routed it out on Google Maps, and visited all of these locations in one weekend.

South Africa via Peli Peli Kitchen

Self-described as “South African inspired comfort food,” this is the fast-food version of their fine dining Peli Peli restaurants which began in Houston and are expanding throughout Texas.  The owners made headlines in 2016 by appearing on the CNBC reality show Restaurant Startup and more recently have reappeared due to sexual harassment allegations against executive chef Paul Friedman.  We were completely unaware of all this as we stepped into their Spring location.  We were met with SUPER friendly staff, colorful murals, and a simple but inventive menu.  Eric ordered the Peri Peri Chicken and I ordered the Curry Chicken.  The food was fresh, full of flavor, and the counter-serve model allowed us to add as much veggies as we wanted.  Finally, a place to get my cilantro fix!  Our only complaint was the price — $24 for two quick-serve lunch portions (water only and no sides) is a bit steep.

Asia via 99 Ranch Market

There are MANY options in Houston for Asian groceries, but this is certainly one of the best if you’re looking for a large variety in a clean environment.  It’s smaller than the giant Hong Kong Market in Houston’s Chinatown, but it’s SOOOO much cleaner and it focuses equally on other Asian cuisines.  Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese — it’s all here!  The bakery seemed to be the most popular area, but we were most impressed with the meat selection and never-ending aisles of noodles.  I saw my first Pork Uterus and Silky Chicken (which looked like a baby dragon).

Japan via Seiwa Market

This is a small boutique grocery, focusing only on Japanese cuisine.  It is the perfect place to go when you need high quality seafood to make your own sushi or when you want a quick fix of Japanese snacks (such as Matcha flavored candy) and Hello Kitty toys.  This was my first time seeing Onigiri, rice balls, and they had a really nice selection of “to go” lunch boxes.

Africa via Wazobia Market

This storefront is at the very western tip of Westheimer but it’s worth driving to the ends of the earth just for the meat market here.  When we walked in with our white selves, the cashier’s jaw dropped but she quickly recovered and gave us a huge welcoming smile and greeting.  It’s an unpretentious store, focusing on African ingredients that you won’t find at other ethnic groceries.  Pretty much everything in that store was entirely new to me:  plaintain fufu, cassava flours & frozen cassava leaves, burnt goat meat, ground crayfish and shrimp, chin chin (snack mix).  The real eye-opener, however, was the meat market with giant turkey legs and whole goat heads.  There were lines of people waiting to get meat here, and no wonder when we saw the low prices.

Bulgaria via K&V Bulgarian Market

Ok, I’ll admit I actually had to look Bulgaria up on Google Maps.  This is definitely a region AND cuisine that Eric and I have zero experience with.  So imagine how delighted we were to find this tiny store in the northwest corner of Houston in a multi-cultural mecca just east of Willowbrook.  Their products are  Bulgarian, Serbian, Romanian, Macedonian, with some Turkish and Greek crossover.  The woman running the store (who might have been the owner) made our shopping experience extra special, taking the time to explain products, let us sample one of the specialty cheeses, and share her passion for Bulgaria.  She noted my interest in some rose lotions and lip products and explained that this particular rose is a major export of Bulgaria.  We had so much fun visiting, I forgot to take pictures, so these images were borrowed from their Facebook page.

For a good intro on Bulgaria as a tourist destination, especially it’s Rose Valley, click HERE.

Lebanon & Armenia via Phoenicia Specialty Foods

We’ve been shopping at the Phoenicia stores for years.  There are two locations and each has its own unique perks.  The downtown market is much smaller but is a great place to socialize and do some quick shopping while you’re in that area.  The Westheimer location is huge, and is where you want to go if you need a larger selection.  I mention Lebanon and Armenia because the owners originated from those countries, but it’s actually an International grocery with products from all over the world.  They have the largest selection of baklava and Mediterranean pastries I’ve ever seen, their fresh Feta selections are to die for, and they have amazing prices on hard-to-find olive oils and bulk spices!  Eric enjoys watching the fresh pita bread moving down a conveyor belt at the Westheimer location, and I love perusing the snacks from all over the world.

Oaxaca Mexico via Xochi

Xochi is our fave, FAVE, FAVORITE restaurant in Houston!  We’ve been twice and both visits were exceptional.  Houstonian foodies are already aware of this place, but the rest of the world hasn’t taken enough notice (in my humble opinion).  If you want to experience Oaxacan cuisine in the hands of a master, get yourself to Xochi!  The atmosphere is lively, the wait staff are passionate about teaching all things Oaxacan, and everything on a plate is presented with impeccable detail, masterful flavor combinations, and creativity.  But don’t take my word for it, take a look at these photos and you’ll see what I mean!

If you live near Houston or another large city, please take advantage of the cultural wealth that these melting pots have to offer.  Look beyond the tourist traps and seek the neighborhoods where immigrants live — you will gain new experiences, expand your culinary palette, and be reminded of why this country is such an amazing place to live!