Van's Fish Market

Although it's primarily known as a fish market, I only come here on Sundays to check out the other goodies - tropical fruits and Vietnamese desserts.

Sometimes they have shipments of Texas oranges, lychee, longan, rambutan, mangosteen, and dragonfruit when they're in season. Prices are premium for these, but they look pretty fresh.

I believe the desserts are homemade and brought to the store fresh in self-labeled plastic containers. Just to name a few there are banana leaf wrapped sweet rice, coconut, mung bean, corn, tapioca desserts. They recently got a sugar cane juice (nuoc mia "pronounced: nook me") machine and you can order that at the counter to go. Taste? Sweet, refreshing served with loads of ice. The sugar cane juice may not be as good as overseas, but it comes very close. It's the best you'll get in Indy at least.

As you guess, I love going to Van's Fish Market to buy FISH!  They have a pretty decent selection of fishes and some shrimp.   You will also find it helpful that they have certain fishes in different cut such as already filleted or cut into streaks.  On restocking days (Wednesday?), you can also find LIVE clams, razor clams, blue crab, and conch.  They do not just stop at live seafood but they will fry your fish for you to take home.  That's pretty convenience, get your weekly grocery while they lend a hand with dinner.  

Their vegetables selection is pretty limited and mostly catered to Asian cooking.  They have a good variety of dried goods and frozen items.  Like I have said in other Asian market review, get into the habit of checking expiration dates on canned goods.  I would also be careful with freezer items, I have brought home spoiled items before.  If you know what the item is suppose to look like or smell like, do a thorough examination.  A lot of time the owners are pretty honest when you ask them how long it has been out.  Since i'm a regular there, the "mom" of the shop pretty much tells me what I need to steer away from.  They do not carry any fresh meat I don't think, it's usually in the freezer.  Overall, pretty decent Vietnamese market.

Très cool Viet grocery with plenty of fresh fish, and specialty desserts on Sundays. Their inventory is extensive, prices immigrant-friendly, and service helpful. That, in my world, equals five stars.