No matter where I travel, one of my favorite things to do when visiting a new country is visit a local market (or five). Not only is it a fun (and delicious!) way to experience a culture — you can learn a lot about a place and its people through its ice cream, sweets and chip flavors — but it’s also a great way to try different things and possibly even take a new favorite back with you. Fortunately, thanks to Rochester’s vibrant diversity, I can have the same kind of experience a lot closer to home, courtesy of the city’s incredible mix of international grocery stores.
Whether you’re on a mission for a specific ingredient or just love the thrill of discovering new foods, Rochester’s global markets are chockful of gastronomic treasures. So, bring a tote bag and a sense of culinary adventure. You might just find your new favorite snack, a secret spice blend, or some dinner party inspiration along the way!
The Top 10 International Markets in Rochester, MN, You Won’t Want to Miss
From tropical fruits, instant noodles and Middle Eastern spices to housewares like bamboo steamers, molcajetes and woks, there’s a global market in Rochester that will make you feel like you’ve traveled the world without ever leaving town. So, if you love discovering hard-to-find ingredients and sampling the latest viral TikTok snacks, or if you simply want to scratch that travel itch while skipping a pricey plane ticket, it’s time to make these Rochester international markets and grocery stores part of your regular shopping adventures.
Asian Food Store
1010 7th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Small but mighty, Asian Food Store crams a wide range of Eastern cuisines — including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Thai — into a relatively compact space. Shelves are lined with soy sauces, chili pastes, packs of ramen and rice noodles, while their snack aisle stocks favorites like Pocky sticks and shrimp chips. Meanwhile, an impressive frozen section has bao buns, dumplings and more, all ready and waiting for you to heat up.
Asian Pacific Market
4136 18th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
One of the larger international grocery stores in Rochester, Asian Pacific Market offers a wide range of goods from across Asia, from instant ramen to prepackaged tapioca pearls for DIY boba drinks. When you’re finished looking through the fresh produce, specialty meats, seafood, and every kind of noodle imaginable, head over to the opposite side of the store to browse kitchenware like woks, kettles, steamers, chopsticks and more.
El Super Gallo #1
Location: 1831 24th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Offering authentic Mexican groceries, El Super Gallo #1 is packed with everything you might need to cook your favorite dishes at home, including packaged goods like specialty salsas, dried chilies and other fresh produce, spices, tortillas and much more. A meat counter has traditional cuts that are perfect for your next taco night, while the bakery case features treats like concha bread. Plus, they have a made-to-order food counter where you can score hot tacos, tamales, and menudo, which are great for fueling up before (or after) your shopping spree.
El Gallo Mexican Grocery #2
Location: 2245 Park Ln SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Just like its sibling store, El Gallo Mexican Grocery #2 is all about authentic Mexican flavors and ingredients. A convenient stop for all your fiesta essentials, this mercado on Rochester’s southeast side is filled to the brim with Latin American pantry staples, meats, and produce. Their cozy food counter serves up tortas, sopes and barbacoa just like abuela used to make. Visit the liquor area for a tequila or mezcal to accompany your delicioso Mexican eats.
International Spices & Grocery
Location: 125 E Center St, Rochester, MN 55904
For a truly global grocery shopping experience, don’t miss International Spices & Grocery. Along with a huge array of Middle Eastern and Arabic items, including halal meat, this giant market also offers a mix of Mediterranean and South Asian ingredients. Whether tahini and olive oil or honey and halva, you likely won’t leave empty-handed. Have a sweet tooth? Don’t miss the baklava and imported candies.
Lee Market
Location: 1116 9th St NE, Rochester, MN 55906
Another massive Asian grocery store in Rochester, Lee Market spans several rooms and even more culinary traditions, with ingredients and packaged goods from China, Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and beyond. Best of all, most items are very reasonably priced. The bánh mì sandwiches and bubble teas available at the onsite food counter are an absolute steal. Visit on Fridays for an even larger selection of ready-made noodle bowls and treats.
Mi Mexicana Market
Location: 18 9th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904
One of Rochester’s newest international grocery stores, Mi Mexicana Market is a family-run gem neighboring La Michoacana Purepecha (stop by after your grocery haul for a cup of Mexican ice cream). With wide, brightly lit aisles and spotless floors, exploring all of the authentic items on offer couldn’t be easier. Beyond essentials like meats, imported canned goods, tortillas, fresh salsa and pan dulce, they also stock a small selection of beautiful traditional homewares, including molcajetes, colorful Talavera pottery and tortilla presses. For the freshest produce, stop by on Mondays after the owner’s early-morning run for in-season fruits and vegetables.
Saigon Far East Oriental Market
Location: 3918 18th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Conveniently located not far from downtown or Target North, Saigon Far East Oriental Market is the place to go for fresh herbs and hard-to-find veggies, with one of the largest selections in Rochester. The rest of the store is equally overflowing with other Southeast Asian ingredients, from rows of instant noodles to bags upon bags of rice. Before you check out, be sure to scope out the ice cream case near the door, where you’ll find the viral fruit-shaped ice cream bars of TikTok fame.
Rice N Spice
Location: 810 Broadway Ave S, Rochester, MN 55904
Situated in Soldiers Field Plaza, just outside of downtown Rochester, Rice N Spice is a one-stop shop for Indian and Pakistani groceries. Filled with pouches of curry seasonings, bags of rice and lentils, various flours and essentials like ghee and paneer, as well as a freezer section stocked with samosas and naan, this international market has all the ingredients necessary for a South Asian feast. While you’re there, snag some incense to accompany your spice haul.
Rowan International Grocery Store
Location: 101 N Broadway Ave, Rochester, MN 55906
Nestled in the heart of downtown, Rowan International Grocery Store is the place to go for anyone looking for authentic Middle Eastern and African grocery items. A generous selection of halal meats is available, as are fragrant spices and teas, bags of rice, packs of injera bread and an astonishing assortment of dates. Whole, pitted or pressed, Medjool, Deglet Noor or Ajwa — if you’re a date fanatic, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
What are your international market must-buys? Leave a comment below!
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