K & S Oriental Market

1729 E. Riverside, 445-7458

Monday-Thursday, 10am-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 9am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm

K. J. Yoon started K & S at this location 22 years ago, and they have a fine selection of Japanese and Korean (with a nice representation of Thai and Chinese) foodstuffs and products. Most importantly, they are the only Oriental market south of the river. The store is hard to spot, tucked in next to a laundromat at the corner of Riverside and Parker, but once found, it’s a treasure.

The frozen food case cradles delights such as sushi-grade yellowtail, eels (fresh and saltwater), baby cuttlefish, and petite octopi. If you want dumplings but are too lazy to fold them, this is your spot. Craving those Italian gelato bars that are made in Korea? Look no further.

Tea junkies will find a huge assortment of imported Oriental teas, from inexpensive to the pricier vintage blends. Seekers of the elusive pocky (thin, stick-like Japanese biscuits in many flavors) will be in heaven. Kasugai wasabi-coated roasted green peas, can be had in abundance. And they have impeccable taste when it comes to the selection of dishware, tea service, and Oriental knives.

K & S is the perfect spot to explore for entertainment or impulse buys with impunity, but if you have a specific Oriental item that you must have, chances are they’ll have it. Great selection, nice prices, and friendly helpful folks … K & S rocks the south side!

This article appears in December 14 • 2001.

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Mick Vann is a retired Austin chef who is a food writer and restaurant critic, cookbook author, restaurant consultant, and recipe developer. He moonlights as a University of Texas horticulturist with a propensity for ethnic eats and international food, particularly of the Asian persuasion, but he also knows his way around a plate of soul food or barbecue.