A former Sears building from 1928 now holds a market with businesses representing more than 22 cultures. I love that a place built in the age of catalogs now sells arepas and halal meat. Eighteen of its original vendors are still going strong after two decades.
That’s just one stop. Another market sits near the Canadian border, in a town of fewer than 2,000 people. A third keeps banh mi at its deli while lobsters and blue crabs wait in tanks.
Minnesota gets plenty of credit for hotdish and long winters. Its grocery aisles tell a much bigger story, one shelf of spices and noodles at a time. The stops below reach from busy suburbs to quiet small towns.
1. Midtown Global Market
Few buildings in Minneapolis have changed jobs as dramatically as this one. Built for Sears in 1928, it now houses a public market that opened on May 15, 2006.
Today you’ll find more than 45 businesses representing over 22 cultures under one roof. Seventeen of those are food stalls, so pacing yourself is a real skill here.
Grocery shoppers get plenty to work with. There’s a grocery store with local produce, fresh meats, and baked goods, plus an in-house halal butcher shop.
Oasis Market & Deli stocks East African and Middle Eastern ingredients. The Produce Exchange runs farmers market style, with local and global fruits, vegetables, and organic options.
Hungry already? Stalls serve Venezuelan arepas and empanadas, Jamaican dishes, Moroccan food, Indian street food, Native food, sushi, and Mexican tortas and tacos.
Trio Plant-based is the first Black-owned, fully plant-based soul food restaurant in Minneapolis. Mapps Coffee & Tea roasts organic, Fair Trade coffee right on-site.
The calendar keeps things lively too. Weekly cultural programming brings music and dance, and annual events mark Lunar New Year, Holi, Juneteenth, and Diwali.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the businesses are immigrant-owned, which gives the market its true global range.
Address: 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
2. International Spices & Grocery
Rochester draws visitors from around the globe for medical care, so a grocery with world-traveler range fits right in. Downtown on East Center Street, this store leans hard into spices, herbs, and Middle Eastern ingredients.
The name doesn’t oversell anything. Spices are the headline, with an extensive selection that can refresh a tired home pantry fast.
Think of it as the place to replace that dusty jar of cumin. You can also hunt for herbs and blends that big chain stores often skip.
Halal meat is another major draw. That makes it a handy stop for cooks who need it, and an easy entry point for anyone curious.
Beyond the spice shelves, the store stretches into fresh and frozen foods. Dairy, fruit, vegetables, and dry and canned goods round out the aisles.
Produce gets special attention here. If your recipe calls for fresh vegetables alongside imported staples, you can likely finish the whole list in one trip.
Timing matters if you dislike crowds. Tuesday and Friday mornings tend to be the quietest, while weekday afternoons and evenings pick up.
Hours run 9 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday is shorter, from 10 AM to 4 PM, so plan weekend cooking projects early.
Address: 125 E Center St, Rochester, MN 55904
3. LV International Market
Warroad sits on Lake of the Woods, just a short hop from the Canadian border. An Asian grocery in a town of fewer than 2,000 people feels like a happy plot twist.
For shoppers in nearby Roseau and Badger, this market fills a real gap. It’s the closest Asian store for many folks in this corner of Minnesota.
The shelves carry Asian pantry goods and global foods. That means staples you’d otherwise drive hours to find.
The freezer section is a highlight. Frozen foods here are a strong reason to stop, especially if you like to stock up for weeks at a time.
Bring a cooler bag if you’re driving far. Frozen goods hold up better on the trip home, especially in summer.
Fresh produce earns praise too. In a remote town, finding good produce alongside imported goods is a pleasant surprise.
Prices are reasonable, which matters when the alternative is a long road trip. Your gas tank will thank you as much as your taste buds.
Since the store doesn’t deliver, you’ll need to pop in yourself. Luckily, it’s set up for quick visits, so you won’t lose your afternoon.
Want a calm aisle? Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings are usually the quietest times.
Address: 414 Lake St NE, Warroad, MN 56763
4. International Grocery and Halal INC.
Curious eaters, this one’s for you. Along North Riverfront Drive in Mankato, this shop pairs an international grocery with a halal butcher counter.
Mankato is a college town and a farm-country commercial hub. Students and families need groceries too, and this store adds global flavor to the mix.
The halal meat is a key reason to visit. Having a halal butcher in south-central Minnesota makes life easier for many home cooks.
Shelves hold international pantry staples and spices. If a recipe lists something you can’t find at a regular supermarket, start your search here.
It’s also a fun place for browsing. Expect interesting things to try, so give yourself permission to grab one mystery snack or sauce.
Not sure what to buy? Pick one spice you’ve never cooked with, then look up a simple recipe that uses it.
For students, a small bag of spices can stretch a lot of plain rice and beans. That’s a dorm-kitchen upgrade worth making.
The store works best for quick visits. Know your list, or at least your dinner idea, and you can be in and out fast.
Weekday hours run 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday. Saturdays open earlier, at 9 AM, and close at 5 PM.
Address: 405 N Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN 56001
5. Pangea Market
Fresh pita is the main event here, and it rarely survives the drive home untouched. Pangea Market combines an international halal grocery, fresh bakery, and butcher counter in Coon Rapids.
The bakery also makes pastries stuffed with cheese, spinach, and za’atar. Grab a few for the car, and a few more for the people waiting at home.
The market’s bakery is another highlight, offering freshly baked pita and other traditional breads. These fresh breads are a great introduction to the market’s Middle Eastern specialties.
The grocery side is spacious, neat, and well organized. That makes it easy to browse without feeling lost.
Halal meats are a big part of the lineup, including goat. Fresh produce, frozen items, beverages, and kitchen staples fill out the store.
Spices get plenty of shelf space too. And yes, there are sweets, because no grocery run should end without dessert.
Pita tip: buy an extra bag for the freezer. Future you will be grateful on a busy weeknight.
Late cravings? Pangea stays open from 9 AM to 10 PM seven days a week, which beats a lot of grocery stores.
Crowds build on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons and evenings. Wednesday night tends to be the quietest, so that’s prime time for slow browsing.
Address: 8500 Springbrook Dr NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
6. Dragon Star Oriental Foods
Giant catfish, blue crabs, and lobsters swim in tanks at this St. Paul supermarket. Dinner doesn’t get much fresher without a fishing license.
Dragon Star is a sprawling pan-Asian grocery serving Hmong, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Karen communities. The shelves also reach into African, Caribbean, and Hispanic ingredients.
The produce department is big and colorful. Look for bok choy, Napa cabbage, sugar cane, and dragon fruit.
Noodle lovers face a delightful problem here. There’s a huge range of noodles, plus spices, sauces, and frozen and fresh seafood.
The meat section goes beyond the basics. You’ll find goat meat and a range of cuts you won’t see at most chain stores.
Near the entrance, the deli and bakery are hard to skip. Banh mi comes in classic meatloaf, char siu, and bulgogi versions.
Roasted pork belly, sticky rice desserts, and Korean fried chicken share the counter. Korean corn dogs come with a choice of fillings and toppings.
Need a drink for the aisles? The bubble tea shop pours milk teas, fruit teas, and Dalgona coffee.
Kitchen gear gets its own aisles too. Shop for industrial rice cookers, tea sets, and other cookware.
Plan for a longer stop than you think. Between the tanks, the deli, and the snack shelves, time slips away quickly.
Address: 633 W Minnehaha Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
7. United Noodles | Asian Market
A noodle wholesale business from 1972 grew into one of Minnesota’s largest Asian grocery stores. Founded by a Filipino immigrant, United Noodles shifted fully to retail in 2004.
The shelves pull goods from more than 15 countries. China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines are part of the lineup.
Ramen fans, clear some cabinet space. The ramen selection is wide, and the snack aisles include treats like Hello Kitty cookies.
Korean corn dogs are among the frozen foods available for shoppers to prepare at home. Pick up a package to try at home.
You’ll also find rice, sauces, dumplings, fresh produce, meat, and seafood. Most home cooks can fill a recipe list here without a second stop.
The aisles are known for being clean and well organized. That’s a relief when you’re comparing bottles of soy sauce side by side.
Shopping makes people hungry, and the store planned for that. Ono Hawaiian Plates, open since January 2024, serves chicken katsu, garlic noodles, macaroni salad, and Spam musubi.
United Noodles stocks Asian-inspired baked goods from Breadville, a bakery based in St. Paul. Matcha Nutella buns are a known favorite.
Don’t skip the gift shop. It stocks Japanese ceramics, stationery, and character-themed collectibles.
The market also hosts outdoor night markets and flea markets. Those events give this Seward neighborhood store an extra festive feel.
Address: 2015 E 24th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
8. El Burrito Mercado
Back in 1979, a Mexican immigrant couple bought a tiny 800-square-foot business on St. Paul’s West Side. Today El Burrito Mercado fills a 13,000-square-foot space on Cesar Chavez Street.
The family still runs the show. In 2016, the founders passed the business to their daughters and granddaughter.
Shopping here covers a lot of ground. The grocery side stocks a wide range of spices and peppers, fresh produce, and a meat counter with a strong selection.
A bakery turns out pan dulce, and churros are on the menu too. The market is also celebrated for fresh tamales and carnitas.
Need a gift? Imported home decor and gifts come directly from Mexican artisans.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner cafeteria-style. Chilaquiles with eggs, huevos rancheros, and breakfast burritos make a strong start to the day.
Later, the menu offers birria, barbacoa, al pastor, and carne asada tacos. Masa lovers can order gorditas, sopes, and huaraches.
The Burrito Ahogado is a good pick if you like things saucy. The Molcajete de Carnes Mixtas is made for sharing.
Vegetarian choices are available, while guests seeking vegan dishes should confirm ingredients with the restaurant.
Out back, a stand sells elotes topped with butter, mayo, cheese, and chile seasoning. In good weather, the patio is a great spot to eat one.
Address: 175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107
9. Asia Mall
Groceries, a food court, and arcade games under one roof sounds like a teenager’s dream weekend. In Eden Prairie, Asia Mall makes it real.
The big draw is the main-floor supermarket. It carries a wide selection of foods from across Asia, so your shopping list can wander far.
Use the grocery for stocking up on staples and snacks. Then take a lap to check out flavors you’ve never tried.
Try picking one new item from the supermarket each visit. Over a few months, you’ll build a pantry with real range.
Beyond the market, the mall holds other shops worth browsing. It’s a good place to slow down after you check off the list.
Then there’s the food court. Its mix of restaurants means you can eat lunch from one cuisine and grab a snack from another.
Got kids in tow? Arcade games help burn off energy, and the restrooms include changing tables.
Hours run 10 AM to 9 PM seven days a week. That late close is handy for after-work grocery runs.
Weekends are the busiest, especially Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings. Weekdays tend to be calm, so a Tuesday visit could feel like a private tour.
A free parking lot makes the trip simple. Eden Prairie sits in the southwestern Twin Cities, so it’s an easy drive for many metro shoppers.
Address: 12160 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344
10. Sun Foods
Asian, Middle Eastern, and African groceries share the shelves at this Brooklyn Center store. That’s a lot of map for one shopping cart.
Sun Foods sits on Brooklyn Boulevard in an inner-ring suburb northwest of Minneapolis. The store is expansive, with plenty of room for wide-ranging aisles.
Fresh produce is a strong point. It’s a good place to shop for the vegetables that anchor a stir-fry, a stew, or a curry.
The seafood selection is another highlight. Seafood lovers can plan dinner around whatever looks best that day.
Sundries are part of the mix too. That means household items alongside the food, which saves an extra stop.
Prices are known to be good. For families cooking at home most nights, that adds up quickly.
Early birds win here, since doors open at 8 AM daily. The store closes at 8 PM, so evening trips work as well.
Weekend mornings and afternoons are the busiest. Monday through Thursday tends to be quieter, which makes midweek shopping more relaxed.
Short on time? In-store pickup and delivery are both available.
A free parking lot keeps the visit simple. Most trips can be quick, especially if you arrive with a plan.
Bring reusable bags with some room in them. A big selection makes it easy to leave with more than you planned.
Address: 6350 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
