ASIAN MARKET FOOD COURT

Hoppen Hierarchy:★★★

World market with Asian dishes & sushi

Perfect For: Lunch; Casual Dining; Takeout

Standout Dishes: Dan Dan Noodles; Beijing’s Signature Noodles; Chinese BBQ Pork; Black Dragon Roll

Asian Market has long been one of Omaha’s most fascinating food outposts. With aisles upon aisles of unique ethnic food from all over the world, the market is like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory for food lovers. Beloved by chefs and curious foodies alike, this grocery store is filled with items you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

It was perfect as it was.

Then it added a food court.

Now, not only can customers sift through 10,000 rare food items, but they can taste some of those ingredients in chef-prepared dishes, get inspired, and try to recreate these meals at home. It allows shoppers to taste the brilliance that lies within the aisles.

Or, for the average cook (hand raised), it provides a spot to come grab an awesome meal.

The wide-ranging menu highlights a swath of Asian dishes, from rice plates to pho, noodle soups, and a variety of noodle dishes. There’s also a sushi counter, a BBQ station, and a side display filled with breads, appetizers, sandwiches, and more.

The BBQ station immediately catches one’s attention, as the hanging racks contain entire roasted dunks and enormous hunks of Chinese BBQ Pork. The latter, which can be ordered on its own or inside fried rice or noodles, is marinated in a sweet BBQ sauce then roasted, giving it a brilliant char siu flavor. The pork has a bit more chew than many Americans might expect from pork, and some portions are a bit fatty, but the sweet, smokiness flavor is something you won’t find at many other Omaha destinations.

The noodle dishes are where Asian Market really shines, as each brings unique qualities to the table. The various noodles supply different flavors and textures, and Asian Market’s layering of unique flavors ensure each dish has its own unique personality.

The first sensation you get upon biting into the Dan Dan Noodles (featured in the header photo) is how tender and silky they are. Soon after comes the brilliant spicy and highly umami flavor profile, with chili oil and peppercorns adding punches of spice to the savory ground pork and chopped peanuts.

The Singapore Sweet Riche Noodles are completely different, yet similarly delicious. Extremely thin and mild in flavor, they’re long and velvety (think angel hair pasta). The shrimp and pork are flavorful, and the light application of sauce adds just the right amount of salt.

The Beijing Signature Noodles are thick and chewy, and the sauce adheres to them beautifully. Soybean paste adds a sharp, salty, unami flavor, which is balanced by the sweet pork and crisp veggies.

The food court’s sushi counter is packed with several different kinds of rolls constructed by chefs right behind the counter. To be clear, these are not Yoshitomo level rolls. The fish, while tasty, doesn’t have the same distinct pop you’d find at a sit-down sushi restaurant.

But the rolls are thoughtfully constructed, well-packed, and are superior to some I’ve had at restaurants, not to mention other grocery stores. And the value is ridiculous; most rolls come with 10-12 pieces and are only $6-7, an incredible bargain compared to what you’ll spend in a restaurant.

The Rainbow Roll features well-cut shrimp, salmon, and tuna, and the fatty, delicate flavors of the latter two shine. The Black Dragon Roll, with eel, crab, and a sweet sauce on top, is excellent as well.

Asian Market also offers unique side dishes to complement the excellent mains. The rubbery texture of the Baby Octopus, found in the sushi display case, won’t be for everyone, but the slight sweetness makes them appealing to the adventurous eater.

And if the Chicken Dumplings are on special, snag a container of them. These little protein purses are soft and chewy, but a quick pan fry has also given them a nice crust.

Simply put, there is no experience like a visit to the Asian Market. How many grocery stores can you say provide fresh jackfruit, live crabs, crawfish, and eels, African hot sauces, and tripe (cow intestine)? And now you can experience many of those flavors cooked by experienced chefs alongside house made noodles, soups, and wok-fried rice.

The idea of getting restaurant-quality food inside a grocery store may seem ridiculous, but suspend your disbelief at Asian Market. These dishes, while not fancy or beautifully plated, pack some serious authentic flavor.