Things got a whole lot spicier in Woodbury this year with the arrival of Spice Bazaar International Foods in January. The store caters to the east metro’s Indian and Pakistani population, and excites foodies and curious residents alike. The 2,000 square foot market is full of staples as well as exotica including all kinds of meat, chutney, pickles, fresh vegetables, spices, snacks and more than 20 different kinds of rice. And, lo and behold, it’s affordable.
The three owners, Jolly Xavier, Akil Jolly and Mathew Thachil, along with their friends Najeeb V and Vishal Reddy, hail from three distinct Indian states: Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka. They also practice three different religions: Christian, Muslim and Hindu. As a result, the store reflects a wide range of Indian and Pakistani culture and customs.
Woodbury has a substantial Indian and Pakistani population; one reason why is the offshore programs at local corporations like 3M, Wells Fargo, Traveler’s Insurance and Ecolab that draw people from these countries to the area. According to co-owner Thachil, many Indians also choose Woodbury for the strong math and science in the local schools.
Indian and Pakistani customers come for Indian vegetables that aren’t available at the local grocery stores. “People are used to having those vegetables, so we buy them every week and have them shipped fresh from Chicago,” Thachil says. “And we offer convenience with a store in the community for those who need to buy just one or two products.
“We have lots of American customers who like to explore and try new spices,” Thachil says, and the store is indeed a dream for the adventurous cook. There are bulk spices and masala blends for dozens of curries, so you can buy a small amount that won’t get stale before use. The bulk bins also stock green and black cardamom, plus a huge array of peppers, seeds, lentils and beans. Hard-to-find oils, flours and other staple ingredients are on hand; bring your Indian cookbook and you will be able to pick up whatever your recipe requires. A trip to the Spice Bazaar ignites the appetite as well as engages the curious mind; there are non-edibles like pooja items for at-home religious practices, including fragrant incense and aromatic, vibrantly-colored sandalwood powder for devotional forehead marking.
If you don’t want to cook, check out the extensive frozen section of entrees, breads, vegetables and more at the Spice Bazaar—why not bring home some tandoori for the hungry family? The store’s Facebook page announces arrival of new shipments such as fresh Indian green chilies and Banganapalli mangoes. Halal meats, including fresh goat meat, are also regularly stocked.
Spice Bazaar Picks
Owner Mathew Thachil recommends these products:
- Mirch Masala Khatta Metta ($2.99) is a sweet and spicy blend of gram (chickpea) flour noodles, puffed rice, green peas and peanuts.
- Frozen Samosa ($2.99) is a fried or baked pastry with a savory filling such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas and lentils; also with minced lamb, beef or chicken and sometimes pine nuts.
- Paneer Makani ($3.49) is made from the white cheese called paneer, also known as paneer butter masala.
