#68-2016: Today I went to Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year (of the monkey) and I have realize I never did a review on Kathay (though I have come some 3 times over the past year). Though many are the ethnic food stores popping up like mushrooms after as storm, Kathay still has the most prominent and extensive collection of ethnic ingredients. Why should I travel all this way to Chinatown to get spices for my meals? Because this market has fresh roots, spices, veggies, fruits, blends, teas, pots sodas and plenty more. Do you need cilantro? Here you can get a good size bunch for a decent price. Looking for ginger roots to mix in your infusion? Fresh and fairly priced. How about some fresh curcuma roots? They got them. What is more, the store is subdivided by country (Japan, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh... to name a few). They have quite the collection of South American products as well. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable. NOT the friendliest but still very efficient. So, when hunting for hard to find ingredients, don't give up all hope till you have tried here. read more

This is THE asian market in Milan. When in need of sushi rice, pandan leaves, kimchi or anything asian - south american and eastern european too - you'll find it here. They not only sell canned and preserved products, but also fresh produce, fruits, veggies and mushrooms. The biggest sections are of course dedicated to the chinese and japanese cuisines, with sauces, pastas, seaweeds, teas and frozen goods (mochi! and natto!). They also sell rice cookers and other exotic kitchenware. The prices vary, but it's never over-expensive. For luxury goods like matcha, however, you won't find a good one here, for that I still count on shippings from Japan. They have a ceramics section with many beautiful cups and plates on display, and every once in a while they put some them on sale, so that's another good side of Kathay. read more

This foreign foods market in the heart of Chinatown is definitely the go-to place if you need any ingredients for your homemade sushi, curry, dumplings, etc. They also have bottled drinks (like coconut water, guava and other exotic fruits' juices), fresh fruits and vegetables and even rice steamers, teapots and ceramic products (also chopsticks, rice bowls and sushi kits). I like the fact that the place is super clean and not stinky, like many other asian/foreign mini markets. Prices are not as high as you may think, being all foreign products, all expiry dates are clearly printed - and you won't find expired items in the shelves. Also, they have divided the products in sections according to the type of cuisine, lots of Japanese and Chinese ingredients but also some Peruvian, Thai and few American products like pumpkin pie or sandwich spread. I normally get here all my noodles, udon, thai curries, fish sauce, tamarind paste, condensed milk and all the ingredients for the braised dumplings, even the plastic dough press to make them. Too bad the Mexican ingredients are very few and not the best brands they could get, otherwise it would be a 5-star place for me. read more

This is my go-to Asian food market. There's another one nearby, but this one has cheaper Shin instant noodles and Peak evaporated milk. I also go there to buy rice and Itza Chunky Salsa (Mexican). I think I've gotten Calve Chunky Peanut Butter from there before, but I didn't see it there last time I went; only the creamy style, which is available in many regular grocery stores. I've also gotten different Asian spices/condiments and moon cakes from there before. read more