Kanya Asia Market

What comes to mind when you think about grocery shopping? If you didn't answer inspiring or intriguing, try shopping at Redding's Kanya Asia Market. The well-stocked shelves hold a world of culinary possibility as well as a slice of Asian culture. Kanya Asian Market is located at 970 Hartnell Avenue.

Kanya Asia Market and Thai Lao Cuisine Express

Owners Low and Mouang Saechao have created a specialty market for people wanting a taste of Asia. While most grocery stores have an Asian food isle, Kanya's shelves are replete with both variety and selection of all things Asian.  There is everything from snack food and fresh produce to an impressive selection of canned mangos, both pickled and sweet. There is a cooking supply section with huge pots, graduated serving pieces, and brightly colored household sundries. The video section was busy with a group of young men eagerly searching through the latest in Thai cinema.

Owners Low and Mouang Saechao

Every cook knows it's the sauce that turns the ordinary into cuisine. Kanya's neatly stacked shelves are filled with sauces: soy sauces, hot sauces, fish sauces, barbecue sauces, not to mention a myriad of marinades and pastes. There is even a vegetarian tom yum paste. And rice. There are stacks of huge sacks of rice and boxes of different noodle varieties. Kanya Asia Market is also a good place to find recipe-specific spices, frozen meat and seafood, and locally grown, fresh produce. If not available locally, the produce comes from either Sacramento or Oakland.

Daikon Radishes

If what I hear from local expatriates is accurate, most restaurant Asian cuisine is altered for the American palate. I was excited that Kanya Asia Market has prepackaged, house-made Thai and Loa takeout dishes for authentic dining. There are snacks, appetizers, entrees, beverages, and desserts. Some dishes can be eaten on the go, while others need warming or are meant to be assembled at home. Despite the typed labels, I was unsure about some items. The layered green drink with the floating balls is a Green Thai Iced Tea with Tapioca Pearls. I understand it's the new must have beverage in the Seattle food scene. 

Multi Colored Tapioca Pearl

I bought pad thai, a pork roll, and cassava sweet with coconut milk and sugar. Pad thai is a familiar dish. Kanya's version has thick, chewy noodles topped with scrambled egg and chopped onion. I ate it cold, straight from the styrofoam container. It was delicious. The pork roll had a unique consistency. It was rather like a big, round sourdough pancake. My enthusiasm for culinary adventure ended with the pork filling. I did warm the cassava bars as suggested by Mrs. Saechao. I loved the dense texture and sweet taste.

Thai Cassava Sweet

Kanya Asia Market has an in-house kitchen where the food is prepared. With the arrival of their new chef, Kanya is expanding the takeout options. They will be offering made-to-order Lao and Thai dishes. You may call your order in, but do not plan to eat at Kanya. The food is strictly for carry out. Kanya Asia Market is open Monday thru Friday from 9AM to 7PM and weekend days from 10AM to 7PM. For takeout, call 222-7609.

The New Menu