The Most Flavorful International Grocery in Oakland

Ebiko

★★★★★ 4.7 (282) • $$

"I visited on a Tuesday afternoon around 1PM and found parking to be super difficult. Eventually found a meter spot after circling for 20 ish minutes. Funny enough, two cop cars were near, reporting a broken in car. I walked in and the place seemed neat and clean. It's a simple space, a openshelf refrigerator with sushi, a closed fridge with drink and a few shelves with Japanese snacks. There were about two other people purchasing food while I was there. The selection of sushi was limited and had mostly basics, tuna and salmon, one of them had a variety but was a bit more pricier. I grabbed:[Salmon avocado roll $8.50]3/5 The sushi roll was quite bland. Most of the time, you can taste the rice vinegar, this one tasted very plain. [Spicy salmon roll $8.95 I think]4/5This was a bit more flavorful since it was spicy salmonOverall, the price is great for sushi, but I found the rolls lacking in flavor. Which a simple roll should have some distinct flavors. After a dunk in soy sauce and Wasabi it was better. In addition, the cashier seemed displeased that I didn't tip more than 15%, when it's mostly self service. I grab my own food, put my own food in my own bag, and grab my own utensils and soy sauce. Not sure what I'm tipping for when it's a grab and go shop. Probably wouldn't come again, the parking was just too difficult. The sushi was sub par. Cute shop though!"

Bombay Spice House

★★★★★ 4.6 (121) • $

"I've become a regular at Bombay Spice House, despite the number of alternatives in the area. Their selection is comprehensive, the fresh samosas and chai are the perfect thing to warm you up on a cool winter's morning, and the owner is always SO HELPFUL. His warmth and friendliness is a big part of why I keep coming back for my Indian staples, even after moving out of the area - it really is a local business that I want to see continue to prosper.Side note: if you have a car you are precious about, park on the street. The parking spaces in the adjacent lot are quite tight and I've definitely winced at least once as an auntie has opened her door straight into my car."

Aria Super Market & Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.3 (115) • $$

"What a cool find in Alameda! We were walking back to the car after having dinner close by when we saw Aria Super Market & Bakery. Family wanted to check it out for various reasons. I was interested because I saw ice cream in the sign posted outside. Others in the family were interested because they saw coffee mentioned in the same sign. So we all stepped inside to check out the place.Right away, I spotted their bakery case. Mom saw their groceries at the back of the store so she headed that way. We tried their baklava, and it tasted wonderful!! My sister and brother n'law were fans of the coffee. Also bought some snacks from their market. They carry a diverse selection of European grocery products. I bought a couple of candies to try later.Service was excellent!! If we lived in the area, then I'm sure we would be regulars at Aria Super Market & Bakery. Definitely check this place out Yelpers!!"

Apna Store & Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.5 (47)

"New Indian Grocery and Cafe along Jackson thru Hayward to Highway 92/880. This new place took over Crossroads International Market which has since re-located to Castro Valley.Grocery has a variety of spices, grocery, frozen items, small produce with a cafe. I pass this area often so decided to try some food from their cafe...food is from their steam table but biryani is made to order. Ordered the following: :: Samosa - fried pastry with spiced potato and peas - pastry was a little thinner than I've had and not quite as crispy - still delicious 3.5:5 :: Vegetable Biryani - cauliflower, potato, carrots, paneer - flavorful and fragrant. Slightly different taste than I'm familiar with (couldn't pinpoint) but it's as tasty - 4/5 :: Curry Chicken from the steam table - mixture of white and dark meat - delicious 4/5 Definitely glad I tried as I love Indian food and have tried many in Berkeley/Hayward/Fremont. I was hoping to get some lamb/goat biryani but it was mentioned they didn't have any that day. The lady that assisted me was friendly, helpful and answered questions. With so many interesting items I mentioned she should offfer cooking demos for the non-natives. if I knew how to use the ingredients I'd definitely shop there. Especially, to make some of my fave Indian desserts: carrot halwa and gulab jamun :)Private lot available for parking"

Coconut Hill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (35)

"Coconut Hill replaces Spencer's with the same meat availability plus indian groceries in a small, clean compact store, there are boxes in the small ailses, and a monitor sticking out from cashier's station. easy to bump into things while browing.offerings: fresh meats, groceries, produce, frozen ready to eat foods.buys: mung bean snack (2.29)-not a lot of selectionstake outs:-small parking lot.may be inadequate during rush hour biz.-just the basics, not a vast inventory."

Kathmandu Market and Deli

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (37) • $

"Unprofessional store - rude front desk clerk - always speaking rudely - the lady doesn't care - speaking arrogantly and intimidatingly Ordered food through app, they did not charge up their laptop so didn't receive the order and refused to serve me until I paid out of pocket"

Madras Groceries

★★★★☆ 4 (14)

"Madras Groceries takes over Bengal Tiger's space. interior looks similar. has produce, frozen/refrigerated products, spices, organic items, groceries, snacks, etc. an eatery will open soon.buys: "Moong Dal" (35 oz. 8.99) fried split mung pea snack-per the 1 cup serving size, it contributes an healthy low daily % of salts, fats, sugar.-doesn't taste salty, may be addictive.lots of parking in the lot. located in the back corner of the commercial space."