A guide to San Antonio's international markets
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Shelves stocked with spices at Ali Baba International Food Market. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios
International grocery stores can be found all over San Antonio, but more than a dozen are concentrated around the Silk Road Cultural Heritage District.
The big picture: These markets stock everything from pantry items (dumpling mix) to produce (fresh lemongrass). At many, there's a large variety of lentils, rice and spices, often sold in bulk.
- Some also have a small restaurant or cafe attached. Others serve as a bodega or convenience store, with household goods available for purchase as well.
Here's a sampling of some Silk Road stores and what to find there.
Ali Baba International Food Market
Location: 9307 Wurzbach Road.
What you'll find:
- Sweets like halva and baklava.
- Freshly baked pita bread at the in-house bakery.
- Halal meats, from lamb and beef to chicken.
- Large packs of dates.
- Produce like Indian bitter melon and opo squash.
- Yogurt soda.
- Paneer cheese in bulk.
Kabul International Food Market and Restaurant
Location: 8931 Wurzbach Road.
What you'll find:
- Large jars of chili sauce and ginger paste.
- Plentiful loose-leaf green teas.
- Chatt pata pakora mix.
- Ginseng multivitamins.
- Rugs.
Des Pardes International Market
Location: 4081 Medical Drive.
What you'll find:
- Popped lotus seeds.
- Dried fenugreek leaves.
- Chutneys.
- Thai chilis.
- Indian okra.
- Papaya paste.
- Packs of frozen paratha and naan.
- Ramadan specials.
Himalayan Bazar
Location: 8466 Fredericksburg Road.
What you'll find:
- Large jars of ghee.
- Vermicelli noodles.
- Plantains.
- Chinese long eggplant.
- Fresh curry leaves.
- Pickled turmeric root.
The bottom line: You can shop around the globe without ever leaving San Antonio.