Around the World In 7 Grocery Trips

Have you ever stopped into your neighborhood chain grocers looking for specific ingredients and left PLUM out of luck? The wrong types of peppers, a limited bean selection, a frustratingly small wall of oils and fats? Don’t settle for mystery marinara, refundable rice or frozen facades of international favorites! The Salt Lake Valley is overflowing with locally owned markets that take you around the world from your very own kitchen. If you’re itching to circumnavigate the culinary globe, take our SAGE advice and give these seven spots a visit.

Anaya’s Market

660 N. 1200 West, SLC | 801.364.3114
Mon.–Sun., 9 a.m.–10 p.m.

Check, please! Ditch Americanized Mexican restaurants for real-deal ingredients at local carnercia, panaderia and pasteleria Anaya’s Market. Your carne asada cookout is fully possible with authentic ingredients such as pre-seasoned carne asada, fresh esquites (seasoned corn topped with queso fresco, chili and lime), premade Mexican rice and a wide bean selection. Some antojitos (treats) you can order fresh include fresas con crema (strawberries and cream) and raspados de sabores (flavored shaved ice). Anaya’s Market sets you up for a good time in and out of the store! –Bianca Velasquez

Japan-Sage Market

515 S. Main St., SLC | 801.484.4122
Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Closed Sun.

Japan-Sage Market’s unassuming exterior houses a wealth of East Asian grocery necessities through an intimate shopping experience, from a wide variety of chili oils, green teas and rice noodles to a winding assemblage of prepackaged noodle dishes and frozen goods—and of course, a wall of the popular favorite Ramune drinks. During my Thursday lunch hour visit, a host of patrons stopped in to grab some of the store’s house-made ramen dishes, an obvious must-try if you find yourself in the store’s south Downtown neighborhood. –Audrey Lockie

Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant & Market

1465 S. State St., SLC | 801.975.1111
Tues.–Sat., 11 a.m.–9 p.m. | Closed Sun. and Mon.

Similar to many markets on this list, Mahider doubles as one of Utah’s finest Ethiopian restaurants and one of its only Ethiopian markets, providing assistance whether you’re in need of an array of spices like black cumin and koseret or bird’s eye chili peppers to make a mitmita mix. Also check the grains aisle for teff flour, the key ingredient in Injera, the signature bread of Ethiopian cuisine (though good luck trying to make anything nearly as light and spongey as the Injera from Mahider’s kitchen). –Audrey Lockie

Black Cherry Mediterranean Market

4346 S. 900 East, SLC | 801.904.3989
Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | Sun., 12 p.m.–5 p.m.

Centered around providing authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food items, Black Cherry Mediterranean Market is Millcreek’s hub for items such as halal meat and other kosher items. Black Cherry Market not only provides specialty items such as Khoresh Fesenjan and black honey molasses, but they go the extra mile to help patrons understand how to use these ingredients, what dishes to cook them with and their cultural significance. Visit @blackcherrymarket on Instagram to learn more about what this shop has to offer! –Bianca Velasquez

Jade Market

353 W. 200 South, SLC | 801.521.2106
Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–12 a.m. |  Sun., 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

While enjoying plates from around the world in your own home is an exceptional experience, sometimes enjoying the fruits of your local land can be exactly what you’re craving. Jade Market is SLC’s corner bodega peddling local items such as Chili Beak Caramels, Laziz Kitchen products, Clifford Family Farm eggs, Caffe Ibis coffee and more. In addition to this cornucopia of Utah-based treasures, Jade Market hosts Delicius Venezuelan Food (@deliciusut) who serve empanadas, arempas and other Venezuelan favorites. Stop by for your local-treat needs! –Bianca Velasquez

Pares Polynesian Market

1745 Carriage Sq., SLC | 801.966.0056
Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | Sun., 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Closed Mon.

As Utah’s oldest and largest Poly-Asian market, Pares Polynesian Market has been a prominent specialty grocers spot for locals since 1975. Stocking items such as lau lau leaves and Samoan sausage in conjunction with Shin Ramen and Japanese sardines, Pares Polynesian Market is known for its range in both Asian and Polynesian food items along with houseware items and gifts. When stopping by, make sure to pick up their most beloved baked goods—pineapple half moon pies and manapuas! –Bianca Velasquez

Qaderi Sweetz n Spices

1785 State St., SLC | 801.484.0265
Tues.—Sun., 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m. | Closed Mon.

Among bountiful aisles of chutneys, boxed curries and more, Indo-Pak market Qaderi Sweetz n Spices’ massive aisle of spices and dals shines as a culinary haven—staples like Toor Dal and Kashmiri Chili Powder sit alongside more unique ingredients like personal favorite whole Urad beans and more whole spices than you can shake your pestle at. What’s more, Qaderi has a floor (literally) overflowing with pots and pans if you need to pick up a proper kadai for your dal or a degchi for a complex biryani construction. –Audrey Lockie