It's been a while since I've done a Markets & Grocers post, so I guess it's about time. I get a number of emails asking me how or where to find certain ingredients. And one of the ingredients that I get the most requests for is "Hot Basil" aka "Holy Basil" aka तुलसी aka "Kra Pow" (กะเพรา) also known as Ocimum tenuiflorum. The answer used to be easy, it was either United Food Mart or 97 Supermarket, but both are long gone……. So when FOY "Barry BBQ" asked me about Holy Basil, I was kinda stumped….but only for a minute. I had an idea that he'd be able to find the stuff at Minh Huong, which I first posted about here.A while back Minh Huong moved from University Avenue to it's current location on Euclid.
The produce section is not very large, but the variety of goods is quite stunning…..
There is of course, the afore mentioned Hot Basil……
Along with, on this visit five different type of bamboo shoots, several types of eggplant, and much more…..
And though on this visit I was only after some purple perilla and mint, it was a nice bit of information to file away for later…..
And the quality of the mint and purple perilla weren't very shabby at all.
There's also a nice collection of Fish Sauces, Fish and Shrimp Pastes, and the like:
As well as a nice collection of pickled vegetables….pickled rattan anyone?
And though the fresh seafood section is pretty small….
The frozen seafood section is a nice little browse, with everything from whole Spotted Featherbacks to a couple of varieties of frozen Snakehead….. you know them right…. the ones that can breath air and live out of water for several days…. and have been known to eat little mammals, and has been dubbed "Frankenfish" by the press.
I guess man got the upper hand this time around….
I counted four types of fermented sausage in the dairy case……
As well as prepared food, like Jeow Bong, and fresh noodles…..
And of course, I gave in to impulse and bought something that looked interesting…..
So here's where you help me….. how should I prepare this? Put in the toaster oven….grill it….or ???? I may just go to Sab E Lee and ask Kobe what to do with this…..
You may not recognize some of the stuff at Minh Huong, but it sure ain't boring….. and who knows what your impulse buy will be.
Minh Huong Supermarket
4029 Euclid Avenue
San Diego, CA 92105