Aragona is a lodestone for exotic foods HamptonRoads.com PilotOnline.com

Get Macromedia Flash. If you have Flash installed, click to opinion gallery. Image 1 of 4 Click for more Swagat Indian Grocery, co-owned by Neelam Kumar is amid the international eatable markets esconced in Aragona (Photos by David B.

Hollingsworth The Virginian-Pilot) Take a expedition of ethnic markets in Aragona View Larger Map The Virginian-Pilot © April 29, 2008 You can get-up-and-go on all sides of the sphere in a few short miles around Aragona.

Eight international grocery shops – from Indian to Asian, Mexican to Mediterranean, Israeli to British – are located sorrounding one of the city’s oldest residential developments. Owned and operated by immigrants and their families, the shops provide locals with authentic flavors and cultural expertise, some for more than 20 years.

John Gabor, Aragona Village Civic League president, said the concentration of grocers is "one of the best kept secrets" of the city. All the diverse stores are only a glimpse of the many ethnic kith and kin we welcome to our neighborhood," he said. Let’s select a tour.

Four Seasons Asian Marketplace In business more than 20 years, the bazaar "is so crowded on weekends, you can’t procedure in the aisles," said Streetcar "Kim" Nguyen, Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam, has co-owned the set aside with her father Hoa Tran, since 2003.

They stock Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino foods, but dabble in Indonesian and Moroccan. Refrigerated cases carry fresh fish and live snails, Manila clams, cooked blood, pork stomachs and balut, or fertilized eggs, championing starters.

A dizzying array of packaged goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, teas, noodles, ethnic newspapers and Buddhist revere article fills the shop. Four Opportunity Asian Market, 311 Kellam Road, open daily. 499-2173. Swagat Health Food and Spices Naresh and Neelam Kumar have owned Swagat for 10 of its 21 years.

The location is good, with consignment of traffic," Neelam said.

Many customers bring recipes, and we cure treasure part and excuse how to provide for the dish." In addition to frozen and ready-to-eat foods, Swagat carries fresh fruits and vegetables.

Curries, masalas, teas, naan breads, Indian pickles, basmati rice and chutnies congregation the shelves, along with statuary, hennas, DVD s, CD s and reading material.

Products associated with ayurvedic prescription – a holistic system popular in India – are available. Neelam said chyawanprash, an herbal nutrition supplement, is very popular. Swagat Trim Food and Spices, 308 Aragona Blvd., Mondays. 499-7317. J Mart Next door to Swagat is 3-year-old J Mart, run by Hisako Rodriguez, who assumed operations in 2007.

I have one foot in the past, and one foot in the future," she said, referring to a strictly Japanese inventory that includes traditional and modern foods. I stay on top of trends in Japan." Tidy refrigerators and aisles display sashimi-grade tuna, tofu, seaweed, tea, dashi, miso, snacks, sweets, toiletries, and comic books. Fresh bakery goods arrive everyone weekend. I like to try new touch experiences," said customer Matthew Kaitschuck of Norfolk.

You store at a store like J Mart thanks to it’s the real deal." Approaching plans include the sale of sake and Japanese beer. J Mart, 308 Aragona Blvd., 201-3520. Leila’s Mediterranean Groceries & Deli A half-mile from Aragona Boulevard sits Leila Shaheen’s 6-month-old collect and deli.

Inventory includes her own Shaheen olive oil, tahini and imported olives, as well as Greek, French and Turkish feta cheeses, hummus, beans, grape set off and baklava.

Popular deli matter include Chicken Tawook, gyros, and falafel, which can be eaten in at one of the tables and chairs lining the windows.

From http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/aragona-magnet-exotic-foods