These 7 Enormous Mississippi Grocery Markets Are Worth A Road Trip For Their Global Food Selection
A quick stop for snacks on a Mississippi road trip once turned into an hour of wandering aisles stacked with rice paper, chili sauces, and candy we could not pronounce. The kids came out with a bag of treats from three different countries and a hundred questions.
Big international markets like that are tucked all over the state, and they make a cheap, fun, and tasty family outing. Here are seven worth planning a drive around.
1. Oriental Supermarket, Jackson, MS
Right off I-55 in Jackson sits one of the biggest Asian grocery stores in the state, and the scale hits you the moment the doors slide open. Aisles stretch deep into the building, packed with products from across Asia.
Fresh vegetables lead the way, and the produce section is a highlight. Beyond that, shoppers find seafood, frozen foods, snacks, sauces, noodles, and specialty ingredients that regular supermarkets rarely carry.
Kids tend to make a beeline for the snack shelves, where colorful packages turn shopping into a little treasure hunt.
Hungry after all that walking? An on-site Chinese restaurant means lunch can happen without moving the car.
That makes it easy to turn a grocery run into a full family outing.
Prices can vary quite a bit. Some items are a real bargain, while a few imported staples cost more than at a standard store, so it pays to compare before filling the cart.
Hours run 10 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend afternoons get crowded, so a weekday morning, especially Wednesday, is the calmer choice for families with little ones.
Restrooms are available, which parents on a road trip will appreciate.
2. Lee’s Grocery, Biloxi, MS
Snails, octopus, duck, goat. Those are just a few things waiting in the freezer cases at Lee’s Grocery, a Biloxi favorite known as the largest Asian food market in the area.
The frozen section is enormous, holding both raw ingredients and prepared meals for nights when nobody wants to cook. Families staying on the coast can grab ready-made dishes for a vacation rental dinner without much fuss.
Fresh, frozen, and packaged goods fill the rest of the store.
Vietnamese groceries are the specialty here, which fits the Gulf Coast’s strong Vietnamese community. Korean, Thai, Cambodian, and Japanese products also line the shelves.
That mix gives curious kids a chance to compare snacks and flavors from several countries in one trip.
The produce section stands out too, with plenty of fresh greens and herbs for anyone planning a home-cooked meal. It is a smart place to pick up rice, sauces, and noodles in one stop.
Early birds will love the schedule. The doors open at 7:30 AM and stay open until 8:30 PM every day of the week.
Weekends draw the biggest crowds, so a weekday visit usually means easier browsing and shorter lines. Restrooms are on site.
3. Asian Foods Market-Restaurant, Starkville, MS
Dinner and groceries under one roof is a parent’s dream, and this Starkville stop delivers both. Half the fun is eating a hot meal, then wandering the shelves to shop for the week ahead.
The restaurant side serves authentic Chinese food, including hot pot cooked fresh, plus crowd-pleasers like sesame chicken. Meals generally run about $10 to $20 per person.
High chairs are available, the atmosphere is casual and quiet, and a full vegetarian menu helps families with different eating styles.
Over in the market, the store is medium-sized but well stocked. Imported specialty goods and hard-to-find ingredients fill the aisles, and prices stay about average.
It is a reliable place to gather everything needed for Asian meals at home.
College students from nearby Mississippi State keep the dining room lively, yet it still works well for groups and kids. Takeout and delivery are offered for busy evenings, and reservations are accepted.
Plan around the schedule, though. The business closes on Tuesdays and opens at 10 AM the other days, closing at 8 PM or 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Free parking and free Wi-Fi round out a very easy stop.
4. B & K Seafood And Asian Food Market, Hattiesburg, MS
Where else in Hattiesburg could a family find sweet melon bread, fresh fish, imported curry mix, and squid jerky in a single basket? That odd and wonderful combination sums up B and K perfectly.
As the only Asian market in town, the store carries a large selection of Asian food and household items. Shelves are packed with imported goods, and the products stay fresh.
Prices are fair, which matters when stocking up for a hungry crew.
Seafood is the other half of the name, and it earns that billing. Fresh fish anchors the counter, while produce and a range of cooking ingredients make it simple to plan a full meal.
Kids who love trying new things will likely head straight for the squid jerky and sweet breads.
Located on busy Hardy Street, the market is close to the University of Southern Mississippi area, so it slips easily into a day of exploring the city. Free parking is available in the lot and on the street.
Hours run 10 AM to 8 PM daily. Sunday afternoons and Thursdays tend to bring more shoppers, so consider another time if a relaxed browse sounds better.
Restrooms are available inside.
5. Saigon Oriental Food Market, D’Iberville, MS
Beach days near Biloxi leave everyone hungry, and D’Iberville sits just a short drive inland. That makes Saigon Oriental Food Market an easy add-on for coast vacations.
The store is very well stocked with authentic products from a variety of Eastern cultures. Vietnamese, Japanese, and Korean groceries get the strongest showing, so shoppers can grab rice noodles, seasonings, and snacks for several cuisines at once.
The inventory reaches wide for a market of its size.
Produce is a real strength. Fresh vegetables and herbs make it handy for families renting a condo and cooking a few meals during their stay.
A quick pass through the aisles can supply a whole stir-fry night.
Kids often enjoy comparing the packaging on imported treats, many with cartoon characters and bright colors. Letting each child pick one snack from a different country turns a routine errand into a small geography lesson.
Doors open at 8 AM and close at 7 PM every day, a bit earlier than some stores, so evening shoppers should plan ahead. Afternoons from Tuesday through Friday get busy, while Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings are usually quieter.
It is a quick visit, perfect between beach time and dinner.
6. Perla Super Market, Gulfport, MS
Fifty feet. That is roughly how long the meat counter stretches at Perla Super Market, a Mississippi-owned store on Pass Road in Gulfport.
Fresh cuts and marinated meats fill the case, ready for grilling or tacos back at the rental. A full refrigerator holds nothing but tortillas, and several aisles carry dry goods like masa, tortilla warmers, and other authentic groceries.
Mexican sodas in glass bottles are a fun pick for kids who want to try something new.
Hungry right now? A Hispanic restaurant inside serves hot, ready food, so lunch can be part of the shopping trip.
Prepared foods make it easy to feed a family fast after a morning by the water.
The produce section is another bright spot, stocked with fresh peppers, fruit, and staples for homemade salsa. And for dessert, an ice cream bar tends to win over younger shoppers almost instantly.
Hours are 9 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM to 7 PM on Sunday. Friday and Sunday afternoons get busy, while weekday mornings are calmer for families.
A free parking lot and restrooms make this stop simple.
7. Valdez Market & Restaurant, Ridgeland, MS
For many local families from Latin America, this Ridgeland market tastes like home. That comfort shows up in every aisle of Valdez Market and Restaurant.
Full-sized and packed with variety, the store carries a wide range of Latino favorites. Shoppers find pantry staples, snacks, and quality produce that make cooking Mexican dishes much easier.
The fruits and vegetables are a notable strength.
The meat counter deserves special attention. Pre-seasoned meats save prep time for busy parents, and the chorizo is a standout.
Grab some for breakfast tacos and the kids may ask for them all week.
Authentic Mexican cuisine is served on site, giving families a chance to eat a meal before or after shopping. Trying a dish first can also inspire what to cook at home.
Ridgeland sits just north of Jackson, so this stop pairs nicely with a day around the metro area. Delivery, including no-contact delivery, is available for those who prefer it.
Hours are 9 AM to 8 PM every day. Weekends, especially Sunday mornings and Saturday afternoons, are busiest, while weekday mornings tend to be quiet.
Restrooms are available, and visits are usually quick and easy.