And this little piggy went to the market

If it’s one thing I hate more than trying to find parking in a crowded Asian market, it’s the idea of shopping in one. Let’s face it, I had my fair share of elbows pushed to my sides, rude service, and lets not forget the odor of miles and miles of fresh fish. The markets around my house are usually concentrated with produce from the northern Asian countries so finding actual Cambodian ingredients is quite the struggle.

So what do we do in dire times as these? With the help of cultural enclaves, my grandma insists on going to every Cambodian’s home away from home: Long Beach.

There are a few markets that my grandma prefers to shop at while in Long Beach, each specializing in their own imports and goods.

On this day, she decides to go to “Kon Heng” supermarket, also methodically called KH Supermarket.

What usually makes a Cambodian market unique is the plethora of food, ingredients, and items that you wouldn’t find elsewhere.

A medley of nameless vegetables (The shoppers here know what they want).

Miles and miles of fish

Fresh Butchers meat

...And more fish!

...And fish heads!

Delicious cookies and treats in flavors you didn't even knew existed.

We don’t come down here much, so when we do, it’s a Costco field day. My grandma usually stalks down every aisle clearing the shelves of her homeland goods hungrily grabbing from the deli section as well.

At the end of her market sprees, my grandma is usually short on her bill by a five or so dollars but today, she under calculated a thirty dollar excess. Of course my broke college self has to pay for it, but the cost of making my grandma happy is priceless.