Mesa's International Markets: What to Buy and What to Try

Mesa’s international markets are more than places to buy groceries. Their produce aisles, seafood counters, bakeries and food courts offer an approachable introduction to ingredients and dishes from across Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Visitors do not need a complete recipe or an encyclopedic knowledge of sauces. Start with one prepared dish, one snack and one ingredient you have never tried before.

Mekong Supermarket

Located inside Mekong Plaza, Mekong Supermarket anchors the heart of Mesa’s Asian District. Its aisles hold fresh produce, seafood, meat, noodles, sauces, tea, rice and pantry staples associated with several Asian cuisines.

What to buy: Fresh herbs, noodles, rice, sauces, tea, tropical fruit and packaged snacks.

What to try: Choose a fruit you have not tasted or select a snack by flavor rather than packaging. Prepared foods and nearby restaurants make it easy to eat before committing to a home-cooking experiment.

Allow time for the rest of Mekong Plaza, where restaurants serve dim sum, bao, Vietnamese sandwiches, hot pot and desserts.

H Mart

H Mart sits across Main Street from Mekong Plaza and offers a Korean-forward selection alongside Japanese, Chinese and Southeast Asian products. The Mesa store includes produce, meat, seafood, frozen food, sauces and a food hall.

What to buy: Kimchi, Korean noodles, seaweed snacks, frozen dumplings, mushrooms and thinly sliced meat for tabletop grilling or hot pot.

What to try: Visit the food hall before shopping. Tasting a prepared dish can help shoppers understand how an unfamiliar ingredient is used.

Princess Pita Mediterranean Restaurant and Market

Princess Pita combines a Middle Eastern grocery store, bakery counter and restaurant. That makes it particularly helpful for first-time shoppers: taste shawarma, kofta, hummus or baklava, then purchase ingredients connected to the meal.

What to buy: Pita, olives, spices, tahini, dates, tea and Middle Eastern sweets.

What to try: Begin with a prepared meal, then bring home baklava or another bakery item. Ask staff for a recommendation if you are unfamiliar with a spice blend or pantry product.

Mexican Panaderías and Carnicerías

Mesa’s Mexican bakeries and meat markets provide another side of the city’s international shopping scene. Panaderías sell pan dulce, cakes, flan and seasonal breads. Carnicerías may offer marinated meats, fresh tortillas, salsa and ingredients used in everyday Mexican cooking.

What to buy: Pan dulce, fresh tortillas, dried chiles, spices, salsa and marinated meat.

What to try: Build a mixed tray of pastries rather than choosing only one. Ask which bread is freshest or associated with an upcoming holiday.

Shopping Tips for First-Time Visitors

Do not assume every unfamiliar ingredient is difficult to prepare. Fresh noodles, curry pastes, frozen dumplings and prepared sauces can be remarkably approachable.

Read labels carefully if you have food allergies. Translation stickers may not always capture every cross-contact concern. Ask market staff when possible and consult the manufacturer for detailed allergen information.

Bring a cooler when purchasing meat, seafood, frozen food or prepared dishes. Market hours, food-court tenants and available products change, so confirm details before making a special trip.

FAQs

What are the best international grocery stores in Mesa?
Major options include Mekong Supermarket, H Mart and Asiana Market in Mesa’s Asian District. Princess Pita combines a Middle Eastern market, restaurant and bakery.
What should I buy on my first visit to an international market?
Start with a packaged snack, bakery item, prepared dish or easy-to-use ingredient such as noodles, dumplings, tea or sauce. Ask staff for preparation advice when needed.
Do Mesa’s international markets serve prepared food?
Several do. H Mart has a food hall, Mekong Plaza surrounds its supermarket with restaurants and Princess Pita operates a restaurant beside its market. Offerings and tenants may change.
Can I find international food gifts in Mesa?
Yes. Tea, candy, cookies, coffee, spice blends, sauces and shelf-stable snacks travel well. Check luggage restrictions before packing liquids and declare food when required for international travel.