Newcomers look for comfort food
Chain Lake Drive-based Asian grocery store attracts people from all walks of life
During exam season a warm bowl of soupy ramen can feel like a big hug enveloping you. For students in Halifax who are miles away from home, food helps connect them to their homes.
Asa Kato, one such Japanese student, has been in Halifax since she turned 16 and is currently a student at Dalhousie University.
“Eating cold mochi as my midnight study snack takes me back to my roots back home,” Kato said.
If you are looking to take your taste buds on a trip to Asia, walking into the New Asian Food Market located on Chain Lake Drive in Halifax will do that. The aroma of ground red chilies and hints of cinnamon lingers in the air.
As you walk into the fresh produce aisle, your eyes will be tantalized by cabbages and pepper in every hue. The store has rows on rows of snacks, drinks, food and even cold meats and sweet treats.
“This place is my little piece of home away from home,” Kato said as she added redbean-filled mochi into her basket.
“During festivals I want to feel like I am not forgetting where I came from, so shopping here helps.”
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM ASIA
Kato has been shopping at The New Asian Market since she discovered the store in December. According to the most recent census data from 2021, Halifax had a population of 16,850 people of South Asian descent, 9,765 Chinese residents and 4,590 Filipinos. There were also 2,385 people of Korean heritage and 760 people originally from Japan.
“When the demand is there, I wonder why the chain stores do not have more options ... yes I came here (from Japan), but I do not want to erase my identity,” Kato said.
“Hissho Sushi and Wine Bar sells sushi in some Walmart stores, but you can barely find the ingredients to make sushi there. They want us to spend more and buy the meal and not cook the food,” Kato said.
The New Asian Food Market has food that spans the length and breadth of Asia.
Sugumar Krishnan hails from Kerala in India and has been living in Halifax for two years.
“Food is a source of happiness; it helps bring people together and teach new friends about your culture,” Krishnan said as he walked through the dairy aisle with more than six varieties of coconut milk.
“In this economy, it is cheaper to cook at home; and cooking is an act of love.”
‘WE BOND ON FOOD’
New Asian Food Market store manager Liao Ning has been working at the store since it opened in October.
“Working here has helped me make friends, we all have similar interest, and we bond on food.”
Ning found it difficult to make friends when he first came to Halifax from China but working at the store has helped him find a community.
“I could not speak English well, but to make and eat food you do not need to speak,” he said.
LEARNING ABOUT NEW CUISINES
Susan Maddalena comes to the shop to pick up groceries for her family. She said one of her children is vegan and one is vegetarian, and Asian food has the best options for both.
“Growing up in Canada we never really had this before, every other week I come here and pick out a few new ingredients, and then as a family we figure out how to make the dish,” Maddalena said.
“As someone who loves to cook, this place is great and it teaches me about cuisines of countries I may never have the chance of visiting in my lifetime. “
She said the many options at a variety of price points make it not only budget friendly, but also accommodating to the growing population of Asian people in Halifax.
“Once I perfect making tteokbokki (a Korean dish made with spicy rice cakes) I cannot wait to surprise one of my neighbours with some.”
Having more food options made easy to access in a city that is teaming with multicultural individuals is imperative, Maddalena said.