27. Asian / Chinese/ Korean ethnic groceries in Champaign Urbana

Besides the Indian ethnic grocery I mentioned in #20, there are several other Asian grocery stores in Champaign - Urbana. These are mainly Chinese groceries, but also carry other Asian cuisines such as Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino etc.

Following is a list of Asian Grocery stores in Chambana.

• AM-KO Oriental Food : Located at the corner of 1st and Springfield in Champaign, this Korean Grocery store carries a huge collection of Asian grocery items. They have seafood, Kimchi, noodles, Indian spices/groceries, rice, herbs,tea, fresh vegetables etc.
  
  
• Chang's Oriental Mart : This is located between Neil and Randolph, and on Green. Right next to Annapoorna ... and the Champaign Public Library. This family run store has a lot of chinese grocery items. Even better, they have the best Butter fish (my favorite). You also get milk powder, vegetable, and different kinds of fish.
  
  
• Euro Mart : Located at the corner of 1st and Springfield in Champaign (diagonally opposite to Am-Ko), this is more of a Mediterranean grocery, and carries mostly middle eastern items. They do have Halaal/kosher meat, lamb, beef, chicken etc. A huge collection of Cheese, Olives and other such, items.
  
  
• Far East Market : The store doesn't give a good impression from the outside, but the moment you step inside, you'll be surprised. This store has perhaps the largest collection of Asian food items. The aisles are narrow, as they have a lot of different types of spices, canned food, fresh fish, vegetables, pickles, and what not! I especially like their seafood collection, but you've got to go there and see it for yourself.
  
  
• Green Onion : I haven't been there, but they are supposed to have organic and asian food/veggies.
  
  
• Lee's Oriental Foods : This is at the corner of Neil and Kirby (right next to the Walgreens). They carry Korean groceries.
  
  
• Maligaya's Store : I have not been to this store, but it is listed as a Filipino grocery.
  
  
• World Harvest International & Gourmet Foods : Like Euro-Mart, this is a Mediterranean grocery store. They have middle-eastern, arab, European stuff. Lamb/beef/chicken, kosher/halaal. Also a lot of cheese, olives etc. Good collection of exclusive items, chockolates etc. But the prices are a bit high.
  

20. Ethnic Indian grocery in Champaign-Urbana : Annapoorna Stores

Image: courtesy of Annapoorna stores website

Besides the regular groceries, there are many ethnic grocery stores in Champaign - Urbana. But there is only one Indian grocery store in Chambana.

The Annapoorna stores is located in Champaign, 505 South Neil Street, Suite 11, Champaign, IL 61820 . It is right opposite to the Champaign Public Library, between Randolph and Neil, Healy and Green. (You can take the 5 Green bus or 25 loop to reach near it).

Store items/collection
The store contains a rich collection of Indian and South Asian groceries, spices, and many other food items. For example:

Frozen food: Both north and south Indian specialities, such as Paratha, Roti, Nan, Idli, Dosa, Uttappam. The ready to eat food section has specialities such as Dal, Bhendi Masala, Chole Chatpate, Pongal Rice, etc.

Frozen snacks: Khaman Dhokla, chili paneer, punjabi samosa, veg. spring roll, chicken samosas, chinese appetizers/meals.

Spices: Chili, cumin, garam masala, coriander, turmeric, spices, pickles, cinnamon, cardamom.

Food grain: Basmati rice, boiled rice, Sona masoori rice, dal / lentil, flour,

Fresh vegetables: The store brings fresh vegetables from Chicago every Friday. You can get fresh okra, green peppers, singa, radish (muli), mangoes, guavas etc.

Fresh sweets/snacks : The store brings fresh sweets like ladoos, jalebis, rasmalai, samosa, kachori, and mirchi pakora.

Meat - The store will take orders for poultry, and other kind of meat. It will bring those meat items from Chicago. Pick up can be made on Thursday evenings when their delivery van arrives from Chicago. (the store is closed at that time though, so you can only pick up the meat order at that time).

Video rentals: The store carries a rich collection of Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and other Indian language films/cinemas. VHS tapes/cassettes cost $1 to rent, and DVDs are $2. The store brings new releases almost every week.


The store takes Cash, Debit and Credit cards.

Store Hours

Mon - Wed : 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Fri - Sat : 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Sun : 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Closed on Thursday