44. Vietnamese restaurants in Champaign-Urbana

Do you crave for Vietnamese food?

At one time a couple of years ago, the Vietnamese food connoisseurs would have no option to satisfy their cravings in Champaign-Urbana area. The last vietnamese restaurant, Pho-Tran, on University avenue, closed a couple of years ago.

But last year, and early 2009, there opened 2 new Vietnamese restaurants in the area.

Here they are:

1. Xinh Xinh Cafe

Xinh Xinh Cafe
114 North Vine Street
Urbana, IL
217-337-7600
Open Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed on Sundays

It is the newest Vietnamese place in the area. Located right next to Schnucks on Vine Street in Urbana. The prices are quite low, and the food is amazing. The best part is the smiling owner, Shai Mauth, who will occassionally chit-chat with you.

One small catch, they only take cash, so better fill your wallet. Of course, most of their prices are less than $8-10, so you won't need too much.

You can get regular updates from Xinh Xinh Cafe on Twitter.

Also, check out Champaign Taste's Review of Xinh Xinh cafe.


2. Saigon Vietnamese Cuisine

Saigon is in Savoy, it opened in 2008. It is in the same place where a Chinese buffet used to be, but closed after a short while.

According to Champaign-Taste's review, the food is good, though people have commented that their prices are a bit high.

Saigon Vietnamese Cuisine
On South Neil St. in Savoy, next to Friar Tuck (Savoy Plaza)

Phone: 217-351-8880

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

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.