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An Asian supermarket is a category of grocery stores in Western countries that stocks items imported from the multiple countries in East, South and Southeast Asia. It is important to note that "supermarkets in Asia" generally (except for the Middle East) have no equivalent to the "Asian" supermarkets of the West, foodstuffs in each respective Asian country have vastly different regulations and supply chains from one another, they are localized for each countries' tastes and only carry locally approved items for that market. Examples of this: seaweed snacks, originate in Japan where they are salty or savory, in Thailand they are often spicy and locally produced. Asian supermarkets carry items and ingredients generally well-suited for Asian cuisines and simply not found or considerably more expensive in most Western supermarkets (due to low turnover and small quantities). The Asian market category is a local food store to primarily cater to a single particular Asian cultural group, but additionally caters to other immigrant groups who do not have easy access to foodstuffs from their country of origin. These markets go farther than a typical market in that they sell quintessential general merchandise, goods, and services related to specific Asian countries of origin and immigrant communities. They are prevalent in Asian enclaves in the United States and Canada. Urban centers such as New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Seattle have Chinatowns, Little Indias, Koreatowns, or Japantowns and other ethnic neighborhoods with specialty small business, but surrounding areas or smaller cities will have Asian supermarkets providing the same but reduced amenities for the same purposes. Sometimes, there is an Asian-themed strip mall surrounding the market. The markets are generally ethnocentric and may be a mainly Chinese, Japanese or Filipino market; however in many areas such supermarkets cater to a more diverse Asian population as a means of financial diversification. It is this diversity that led to the establishment of Pan Asian goods in a one-stop shop with aisles selling foods in common and others dedicated to other groups such as Pakistani, Indian, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Thai, Samoan, Taiwanese, Korean, and others. The Pan-East-Southeast Asian concept is especially common particularly in Chinese supermarkets, as the pan-South Asian concept is common among South Asian oriented stores. Despite sourcing from many multiple nations, items stocked are very different depending on their target ethnic market. For example, Chinese and Vietnamese supermarkets its common for dead animals to be hung on hooks for display, Japanese supermarkets this would be completely taboo. Chinese supermarkets may carry Japanese products but the range of selection would be very limited as compared to a Japanese supermarket. For example, for green tea, in a Japanese market, an entire isle may be dedicated to it, stocking a wide variety and grades of regional loose-leaf teas, whereas the Chinese market may simply carry a few brands of Japanese tea bags and bottled teas. Japanese supermarkets also diversify and carry some Hawaiian and Korean products, likewise Korean supermarkets do carry some Japanese products. Filipino big-box supermarkets would have a large amount of Filipino specific products that may be hard to find in other Asian supermarkets. ==Chains== Though most Asian supermarkets tend to be neighborhood oriented, small and independent and may carry the similar or even the same names, there are large chains of stores which have popped up, many having the floor area of comparable American supermarket chain stores. Among the largest is 99 Ranch, with 37 locations. Major chains include: * Chinese and Pan-Asian: Hong Kong Supermarket (US), Kam Man Food (East Coast US), Hoo Hing (UK), Miracle Supermarket (Australia-New South Wales), T&T Supermarket (Canada), Grand Asia Market (US), Oceans Fresh Food Market (Canada-Ontario), G&L Supermarket (Good Luck Plaza 好運廣場) (Chinese, Southeast Asian, Indian, Korean and Japanese) (Australia-New South Wales)〔http://www.goodluckplaza.com.au/blacktown/index.php〕 Asian Foods 亞洲食品 (Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian, Singaporean, Indian, Sri Lankan, Pakistani, Filipino and Korean) (Australia-Queensland)〔http://www.asianfoods.com.au/product.htm〕 * Filipino and Pan-Asian: Seafood City (US-California, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii, Illinois), Island Pacific Supermarket (US-California), Manila Oriental Market (Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian and Korean) (US-California)〔http://manilaorientalmarket.com/〕 * Hawaiian and Japanese: Marukai Corporation U.S.A. (US-West Coast and Hawaii) * Indian and Pan-Asian: Patel Brothers (US), MKS Spices 'N Things (Australia-Victoria), Asian Food Centre (Canada-Ontario), Subzi Mandi (Canada and US), India Town Food Centre (Canada-Ontario) * Japanese: Mitsuwa Marketplace (US), Nijiya (West Coast US), Uwajimaya (Greater Seattle and Greater Portland, OR), Tokyo Central (Greater Los Angeles), Yaohan (defunct) * Korean and Pan-Asian: Hmart, Assi Market (Canada, US, UK) * Taiwanese: 99 Ranch Market (US), Marina Food (US-NorCal), T & T Supermarket (Canada) 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Asian supermarket」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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