Asian Market offers convenient cultural fare

For years, Jason Shen couldn’t find what he needed from local Korean and Vietnamese markets. Frustrated, Shen, a Baton Rougean who was born in China, would drive hours out of his way to markets in New Orleans or Houston to feed his family.

“I would go to the big markets there, pick up whatever I needed then bring a full trunk back to Baton Rouge,” he says. “That’s what I did every two months.”

However, he and his wife, Wendy, noticed that the Asian community on Perkins Road near Bluebonnet was facing the same difficulty—there was no nearby Asian market where locals could get their countries’ foods and ingredients.

“There was a lot I couldn’t find even if I went to the local stores,” he says. “The other stores focus on Korean and Vietnamese people. I’m Chinese, and each culture is different. They don’t eat the same things or maybe they can’t order what I need.”

This July, the Shens opened their own small grocery store in Panache Plaza called Asian Market (Map it!). The store offers a selection of authentic snacks, frozen foods and fresh produce, including chives, bok choy and winter melon.

Since opening, business has steadily grown as Shen sees customers who share his sentiments on convenience and location.

“We opened to focus on what my family needed,” he says. “Then, we extended to other countries and started featuring Japanese and Korean items. The cultures might be different, but we all have some stuff in common. I can also order some stuff if you ask.”

Asian Market is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. For more information, call 768-7268. —Matthew Sigur