Shelf Stable Culturally Relevant Food List & Where to Buy
Top Priority & Universal Items (across all cuisines)
| Item Category | Item Name | Preferred Type/Notes | Recommended Local Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grains | Rice | Basmati, Jasmine, or long-rain are highly flexible | T&T Supermarket, H Mart, G Mart, JD’s Market, Local African/Middle Eastern Market |
| Legumes | Dry Beans/Lentils | All colors (brown, black, red, green). Dry is preferred over canned | JD’s Market, Byblos, Mediterranean Market, Local Hispanic Markets |
| Tomato | Canned Tomato Products | Tomato Paste, Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes | All Markets |
| Oils | Cooking Oils | Canola, Vegetable, Sunflower, Palm, Red Palm, Sesame, Coconut, and Olive oils. | All Markets, including African Supermarket, Bisrat Market, Maya Asian Market, Byblos Mediterranean Market |
| Spices | Universal Spice Base | Ground Garlic, Ginger, Cumin, Tumeric, Cinnamon, Paprika, Black Pepper. | All Markets (especially JD’s Market, H Mart, Byblos) |
| Staple | Coconut Milk | Shelf-stable cans/cartons. | T&T Supermarket, G Mart, Maya Asian Market |
| Dry Goods | Flour | All-purpose, Whole Wheat, Wheat Flour, Masa Flour, Corn Flour, (Teff, Shiro flour) | Local Hispanic Markets (Masa), African Markets (Teff, Shiro) |
Grains, Flours, Beans, & Dried Goods (Sorted by Type)
| Item Category | Item Name | Recommended Local Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Grains & Flours | Teff, Corn Flour, Maize, Amaranth | Selam Market, Bisrat Market, African Supermart |
| Grains & Flours | Couscous, Bulgu, Semolina Flour | Byblos Mediterranean Market, Shah’s Deli & Afghan Store |
| Grains & Flours | Masa Flour, Cassava Flour, Quinoa, Barley | Carniceria Market Michoacan, Panaderia y Carniceria los Portales |
| Grains & Flours (Specific) | Chereh, Farina, Findi/Fondo, Injera | 14920 Hwy 99, Ste #106, Lynnwood, WA 90087 |
| Noodles & Pasta | Rice Noodles, Rice Vermicelli, Sweet Potato Noodles, Whole Grain Pasta, Gluten Free Pasta, Chick Pea Pasta | H Mart, T&tT Supermarket, Maya Asian Market, Bisrat Market |
| Dried Beans/Peas | Fava Beans, Black-Eyed Peas, Mung Beans, Barbanzo/Chickpeas, Split Peas | JD’s Market, Byblos Mediterranean Market, Local Hispanic Markets |
| Misc. Dry | Corn Husks, Corn Starch, Grits, Individual Oatmeal Packets, Dried Mushrooms | All Markets |
| Bread/Wrap | Pita and Flat Bread, Rice Paper | Byblos Mediterranean Market, T&T Supermarkket |
| Dried Fruit | Dried Fruit, Nuts/Seeds (Peanuts, Pistachios, Almonds, Sesame) | Byblos Mediterranean Market, Alpha-T Grocery/Dessert, Gogo Market |
Oils, Spices, Sauces, & Staples (Sorted by Type)
| Item Category | Item Name | Recommended Local Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Fats/Dairy (Shelf-Stable) | Ghee, Shelf Stable Butter/Margarine | JD’s Market, Gogo Market |
| Non-Dairy Milk | Rice Milk, Soy Milk, Almond Milk, Oat Milk, Shelf Stable Milk | H Mart, T & T Supermarket, G Mart |
| Sauces & Pastes | Soy Sauce (low sodium), Fish Sauce, Hoisin Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Sriracha, Chili Paste | H Mart, T & T Supermarket, Maya Asian Market |
| Sauces & Pastes | Gochujang, Doenjang, Fermented Shrimp Paste, Fermented Soy Bean | H Mart, G Mart |
| Sauces & Pastes | Adobo Sauce, Enchilada Sauce, Hot Sauce, Chipotle Peppers, Chui Sauce | Carniceria Market Michoacan, Panaderia y Carniceria los Portales |
| Sauces & Pastes | Shelf Stable Tahini, Za’tar, Sumac, Pomegranate Molasses | Byblos Mediterranean Market, Shah’s Deli & Afghan Store |
| Spices (African) | Berbere, Suya Spice, Xawaash, Fenugreek | Selam Market, Bisrat Market, African Supermart |
| Spices (General) | Allspice, Bayleaf, Cardamom, Cloves, Coriander, Dried Chili Pepper Pods, Curry Powder, Paprika | All Markets |
| Spices (Specific) | Zatarain’s Spices/Herbs, Slap Ya Mama Spices, Johnny’s Spices, O’Bay Spices, Mexican Oregano | Carniceria Market Michoacan, Panaderia y Carniceria los Portales |
| Misc. Staples | Bouillon Cubes (Chicken or Veggie Broth), Salt, Honey/Stevia Sugar, Baking Powder, Vanilla | All Markets |
Canned, Jarred, & Miscellaneous Goods
| Item Category | Item Name | Preferred Type/Notes | Recommended Local Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned Meat/Fish | Canned Fish (Tuna, Sardine, Mackerel, Smoked Oysters), Canned Chicken, Beef Jerky | Pull-tab cans encouraged. | All Markets |
| Canned Vaggies/Fruit | Canned Beans & Soups (low sodium), Canned Veggies (low sodium), Canned Fruit (single serving, 100% juice), Canned Chili | Pull-tab cans encouraged. | All Markets |
| Canned/Jarred Staples | Pickled Veggies (Jarred), Sauerkraut, Shelf Stable Tofu, Hominy | Russian/Ukrainian, Asian, Latin | Byblos Mediterranean Market, H Mart, Carniceria Market Michoacan |
| Prepared Meals | Shelf Stable Raviolis, Spaghettios, Easy Mac n Cheese Cups | General (Easy Prep) | All Markets |
| Beverages | Juices (Orange, Grapefruit, Apple), Protein Shakes (non-refrigerated) | Universal | All Markets |
| Misc. Items | Baby Formula, Nutrition Bars (no nuts), Individual Trail Mix Packets, Single Serving Cereal Boxes, Seaweed | General Needs | All Markets |
Additional Items
| Item Category | Item Name | Preferred Type/Notes | Recommended Local Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spice | Annato | Latin American flavoring (often paste or seeds) | Carniceria Market Michoacan, Local Hispanic Markets |
| Spice | Bitter Herbs | African, often used in stews and soups | Selam Market, African Supermart |
| Spice | Caraway | Seed/Spice (Russian/Ukrainian, General) | Byblos Mediterranean Market, JD’s Market |
| Flour | Chick Pea Flour | Specific flour for cultural dishes (e.g., Indian, African) | H Mart, Selam Market, JD’s Market |
| Spice | Dried Dill | Herb/Spice (Russian/Ukrainian, General) | Byblos Mediterranean Market, All Markets |
| Staple | Evaporated or Condensed Milk | Shelf stable, canned or boxed | All Markets |
| Spice | Fenugreek (Fengureek) | African, Middle Eastern spice (seeds or powder) | Selam Market, Byblos Mediterranean Market |
| Spice | Gochugaru | Usually flakes or coarse powder | H Mart, G Mart |
| Condiment | Horseradish | Jarred | Byblos Mediterranean Market, JD’s Market |
| Spice | Lemon Leaf | Dried or in jars | T & T Supermarket, Maya Asian Market |
| Dried Goods | Water Lily | H Mart, T & T Supermarket |