Between Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Yes! Organic Market, and a host of sleek new Giant and Safeway stores opening around town, it might seem like the need for international markets in D.C. is quickly declining. This is not the case. Sure, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s may sell “international and ethic” groceries, but below, DCist writers pick the best places that specialize in various international foods— whether it be Ethiopian injera, homemade Italian pasta, or any other product found in different parts of the world.
Photo by Adam Gerard.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOOD MARKET: The Columbia Heights Food Market, recently opened at 14th and Ogden streets NW, looks like a corner store from the outside but it’s more like an international mini-Yes! Organic Market. It’s got a wide variety of fancy international food like pastas, cookies and chips from around the world, all manner of sauces, mixes and soups (Caribbean, Latin American, European, African) and a big candy selection, plus fresh fruits and veggies. It’s owned by the folks from Black Lion Ethiopian market up the street, and the Food Market has its own Ethiopian corner with piles of injera, bread, dry beans, vegetables and legumes, coffee, a butcher and other snacks from the Horn of Africa. It’s worth spending some time just to browse, because I kept finding interesting stuff in every aisle. Plus, it also has corner store necessities like drinks and snacks. — Andrew Wiseman
Columbia Heights Food Market is located at 3500 14th Street NW.
CAPITOL SUPERMARKET: In the ’60s and ’70s, 11th Street’s Capitol Supermarket used to be a Safeway, but since it was taken over, the space has become one of the eclectic spots to grocery shop in recent years. Not only does it carry a whole host of Latino, Asian, and African products, but it also has a fine selection of freshly imported seafood and fish, if that’s your thing. Not to be outdone by nearby big chain rivals like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, Capitol Supermarket also carries a pretty nice selection of craft beer and wine. Basically, it’s all the things you like about grocery stores, except cheaper. — Matt Cohen
Capitol Supermarket is located at 1231 11th Street NW.
HANA JAPANESE MARKET: In need of a green tea Pocky fix? Looking for some kewpie mayo to make your spicy tuna rolls? Whether you’re trying to relive that semester you spent living in Japan or recreate that dish from your favorite Japanese restaurants, Hana Japanese Market has you covered. Hana stocks all manner of Japanese culinary goodies in a store only slightly larger than a postage stamp. Aside from cooking staples like tamari or soba noodles, the shelves are lined with snacks, fresh veggies, frozen goods, cooking utensils, even Japanese beauty supplies. Whenever I’m looking for an obscure ingredient for an Asian recipe, I head to Hana. While the shop doesn’t hold a candle to the sprawling Asian markets in the suburbs, it’s a lifesaver for anyone looking to source Japanese food in the District proper. — Alicia Mazzara
Hana Japanese Market is located at 2400 17th Street NW.
Photo by Caroline Angelo.
A LITTERI: Best known for its Italian subs, A Litteri should also get credit for its extensive wine, olive oil, vinegar and pasta offerings. With the opening of Union Market, A Litteri is now smack dab in the middle of a booming development yet it keeps its old world charm. —Sarah Anne Hughes
A Litteri is located at 517 Morse Street NE.
THE ITALIAN STORE: I mean, the name kind of says it all. From various different types of pasta sauces, to pizza dough, homemade pasta, seafood, and a variety of savory cheeses and meats, Arlington’s The Italian Store is your best bet for whenever you’ve got a hankering for anything tomato-based. — Matt Cohen
The Italian Store is located at 3123 Lee Highway, Arlington, Va.
SUPER H MART: As someone who spent a decent part of her youth wandering the aisles of Asian grocery stores, H Mart is the mother lode. I know a lot of folks were excited when Trader Joe’s opened on U Street; I, however, will be utterly ecstatic if H Mart ever decides to set up shop in the District. This Korean supermarket chain has several locations in the D.C. suburbs, but the biggest and best is the Super H Mart in Fairfax. The place is a literal feast for the eyes, with rows upon rows of obscure Asian greens, sparkling fresh fish in tanks, glistening trays of every imaginable cut of meat, and an entire cooler case dedicated to varieties of tofu you didn’t even know existed until that very moment. And let’s not even get started on the rice and kimchi selections… On top of that, you’ll find your usual grocery store staples, a section dedicated to Asian cookware, an in-house bakery, and a food court where you can snag a quick bite. And while the selection of Korean and Japanese food products is excellent, there’s really no reason not to shop there for your regular grocery needs if you live nearby. The meat, seafood, and produce section has literally everything you could want (and more), as well as amazing quality for low prices. —Alicia Mazzara
The Super H Mart is located at 10780 Fairfax Boulevard in Fairfax, Va. H Mart also has stores in Wheaton, Falls Church, Annandale, Centerville, and Gaithersburg.
Photo by John Winder.
HABESHA ETHIOPIAN MARKET AND CARRY OUT: There’s plenty of excellent Ethiopian restaurants in the U Street Corridor to satisfy your ethnic palate, but if you’ve ever been curious about trying your hand at cooking up your own Ethiopian dish, Habesha is the place to go to get ingredients. Selling everything from Injera (a kind of Ethiopian bread), to various spices and meats, it’s a go-to for any and all Ethiopian cooking needs. Bonus: they also do carry out meals and it’s delicious. — Matt Cohen
Habesha is located at 1919 9th Street NW.
THE CARIBBEAN MARKET: Located in an unremarkable Takoma Park building, The Caribbean Market is jam-packed with everything you need to cook authentic cuisine, from whole goat heads to fufu flower to every type of curry. The market also features a carryout counter that sells very delicious oxtail stew. Accessible by the 64 Metro bus, The Caribbean Market is a great place to spend an afternoon exploring ingredients you may not be familiar with. —Sarah Anne Hughes
The Caribbean Market is located at 7505 New Hampshire Avenue NW.
YEKTA KABOBI RESTAURANT & MARKET: Why is it that the best international markets in the city aren’t actually in the city? Probably something to do with gentrification, rising cost of living, etc. etc., I guess, but that’s another conversation for another time. In the meantime, I’ll dutifully trek to the suburbs of Maryland to find different Middle Eastern meats to cook on a skewer. The combination kabob restaurant and market features a variety of rare, but oh-so-delicious meats, as well as a variety of flatbreads and other treats. I keep pulling away, suburban Maryland, but you keep finding ways to bring me back. — Matt Cohen
Yekta is located at 1488 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md.
LE PETIT CORNER STORE: Next time you venture into Georgetown, be sure to check out the living room-sized Le Petit Corner Store, which specializes in Turkish specialties like rose jam, grape leaves, bags of dried fava beans, Turkish cheese, Turkish coffee, and more. — Matt Cohen
Le Petit Corner Store is located at 1643 34th Street NW.
