Pensacola’s culinary landscape is a vibrant mosaic of flavors from around the world, thanks to its diverse history and talented culinary community. International grocers play a large role in helping shape Pensacola’s culinary culture by providing unique global foods to restaurateurs and home cooks alike. This month, we profile five standout markets that bring global cuisines to our local community. Each store is a treasure trove of unique ingredients, spices and culinary delights, reflecting the rich heritage and traditions of countries far and wide. Whether you’re searching for exotic produce, authentic spices or specialty items, these international grocers offer shopping and cooking adventures for every palate.

Saigon Oriental Market & Deli

604 N. Pace Blvd., Pensacola | Facebook: @Saigonorientalmarketanddeli

Opened in 2015, by Thien Chu and his wife, Saigon Oriental Market and Deli offers a wide variety of Japanese, Korean, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese products. The many shelves are lined with dozens of varieties of rice, instant noodles, sauces, spices, snacks, kimchi, seafood and more. Saigon also offers hard to find fresh produce like bok choy, long beans, kabocha, Chinese okra, lemongrass and mushrooms. The deli is famous for other delicious Vietnamese staples like Phở, Bún Bò Huế beef noodle soup and Bánh mì sandwiches.

Chu moved to Pensacola in 1991 from Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, Vietnam when he was 16. He worked in a Chinese restaurant while attending the University of West Florida, and later earned his culinary degree from the Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach, where he worked his way up to executive chef at a private country club.

“I started out as a biology major for pre-med,” Chu said. “My dad wanted me to become a doctor. It was hard telling him I wanted to go to culinary school, and I still don’t think he understood until he finally saw my business. I wanted something of my own, and my wife didn’t want to be a nail technician anymore.”

While the deli was Chu’s big dream, he opened the grocery portion first to earn money to pay for the deli build out. The building had previously been an auto parts store, so no real plumbing or other commercial restaurant systems existed.

“I had to grow the grocery business first, but I did eventually get to build the kitchen from the ground up and design it how I wanted it to be,” he said. Chu takes pride in the deli menu, and he still does all the main cooking himself.

With his culinary background, Chu can see the similarities in cuisine across Asian cultures. “Many of the recipes call for the same ingredients,” he said. “Like dumplings—Chinese call it pot stickers; Japanese call it gyoza; and Korean call it mandu, but they’re all the same type of food with slightly different flavors and ingredients.”

Merefa

5007 N. Davis Hwy. Suite 15 | Facebook: Merefa, LLC

Merefa is a local, family-owned grocery store that specializes in Eastern European products. The store offers a wide array of pantry and kitchen staples, snacks and beverages, as well as several ready-to-eat foods that are made in-house. The store’s culturally diverse selection provides customers with a rich and authentic shopping experience, featuring products from Ukraine, Poland, Russia, Germany, Uzbekistan, Lithuania and more.

From European chocolates, cakes and teas, to meats, cheeses and spices, Merefa offers a little bit of everything. The store’s deli contains a unique selection of European meats and cheeses sliced fresh every day. Merefa also offers several house-made soups such as borscht—an Eastern European soup made with beets and vegetables that can be served hot or cold, a Russian and Ukrainian cold soup with meat, vegetables and potatoes called kroshka and a Russian cold soup made with beets and chopped vegetables called svekolnik.

Merefa’s bakery section offers both sweet and savory pastries and breads. Be sure to check out the freezers, which are filled with a variety of ice cream bars and other decadent treats.

Merefa is owned and operated by husband and wife duo Vladislav Romanenko and Zoya Losilevich. The couple opened the store in 2019 and began sharing the foods and treats that they grew up on with the Pensacola community. Today, the store remains family-run and is open seven days a week from 10 am to 6 pm.

Whether you boast an Eastern European heritage or simply want to experiment in the kitchen, Merefa allows you to experience a flavorful journey through Eastern Europe without leaving Pensacola.

Shoreline Foods International Market & Deli

1180 W. Main St. | Website: sfpensacola.com

A longstanding Pensacola institution, Shoreline Foods International Market & Deli first opened its doors in 1978. Previously known for its signature olive oil, Shoreline Foods is now primarily known for its deli, a wide selection of craft beers and unique imported foods.

Shoreline Foods is owned and operated by Mr. Manoly Vatsolakis, who purchased the market from his parents in 2016. Vatsolakis and his wife moved to Pensacola from San Diego in 2016 to carry on the family legacy.

At Shoreline, many craft beers are only available for a limited time during certain seasons or holidays. However, Bourbon County Stock is an example of a beer that is usually available during Thanksgiving, but is now available year-round. In addition to craft beers, Shoreline also offers wine imported from the family’s vineyard in Crete, Greece. Shoreline also provides other imported Greek foods, such as Tarama and taramosalata. Tarama is a Carp Roe used by Greeks for many different things but is primarily used to make taramosalata, a Greek Carp Roe spread.

Shoreline’s deli is one of the oldest in Pensacola, featuring an extensive menu that still offers many of the original items Mr. Mike sold when he first opened the store. However, new additions have been added, including the Tri-Tip Steak Sandwich, the Tri-Tip Gyro and the Montana, which is a sandwich containing chicken, bacon and ranch.

Whether you’re in the market for imported beers and wines, international foods, or even want a pick-me-up from the deli, Shoreline Foods International Market & Deli would be an excellent place to visit.

La Mexicana Supermarket

9101 Pensacola Blvd. | Facebook: @LaMexicanaPensacola

La Mexicana Supermarket provides local Latin cuisine lovers with a trifecta of Mexican delights. From fresh produce, specialty meats, seafood and bakery items to other pantry and kitchen staples, La Mexicana offers a diverse range of carefully curated products for those seeking delicious and traditional ingredients.

Pupusas (cornmeal flatbread stuffed with cheese, beans, chicharrón and veggies), Mexican beers, assorted candies, ready-to-eat salsas, tortillas, beans, spices and produce are just a few of the items you’ll find in La Mexicana. The market also has its own butcher shop, which cuts every type of meat you might expect, and some of the things you wouldn’t, like quail and rabbit.

La Mexicana is co-owned by brothers Arnold and Rafael Balderas, who are the heirs to their parents’ family-owned grocery store and taqueria concept, which has seen nearly 10 locations sprout up throughout southeastern Alabama and into Pensacola since 1999.

According to Arnold Balderas, you’ll only find about 30 percent of his store’s items in a Publix or other standard grocery store. Not only is La Mexicana a grocery store but also dishes up authentic Mexican cuisine at its in-house restaurant, Taco Mex.

La Mexicana also has your sweet tooth covered with a huge selection of desserts, pastries and other baked goods such as fresh-made churros, Mexican doughnuts with Bavarian cream, tres leches cake, pay de queso (the Mexican take on cheesecake) and more—all baked in-house daily.

Whether you’re shopping for everyday essentials or special ingredients for a Mexican feast, La Mexicana is a one-stop shop for those seeking the authentic taste of Mexico.

More International Grocers

While we could only profile a few international grocers, there are many other international grocers scattered throughout the city. Whether you want to celebrate your heritage through cuisine or simply want to try a new recipe, Pensacola offers many global grocers that carry the ingredients you are looking for.

International Grocery & Halal Meat

• 5800 North W. St., Pensacola | (850) 542-4000 Facebook: @InternationalGroceryandHalalMeat

New Asian Grocery & Halal Meat

• 3914 N. Davis Hwy., Pensacola | (850) 332-6537 Facebook: @NewAsianGrocery&HalalMeat

Chen’s Biển Đông Oriental Market

• 3510 Mobile Hwy., Pensacola | (850) 433-0222 Website: biendongorientalmarket.com

Tony’s Asian Market

• 3039 E. Olive Rd., Pensacola | (850) 361-1391 Facebook: @Tony’sAsianMarket

Asia Oriental Market

• 3707 Mobile Hwy., Pensacola | (850) 696-2221 Facebook: @AsiaOrientalMarket

Bogo Market

• 2801 N. Pace Blvd., Pensacola | (850) 444-7474 Facebook: @BogoMarket

Au’s Oriental Foods & Imports

• 2505 N. Pace Blvd., Pensacola (850) 433-2325 Facebook: @Au’sOrientalFoodandImports

Tin-Tin’s Oriental Food & Imports

• 4922 W. Fairfield Dr., Pensacola | (850) 458-5545 Facebook: @TinTinsOriental

El Gallo Latin Market

• 2704 W. Avery St., Unit 3, Pensacola | (850) 696-2400| Facebook: @ElGalloLatinMarket

Asian Grocery Pensacola

• 244 N. New Warrington Rd., Pensacola | (448) 204-7099

Kabayan Filipino Grocery Store

• 201 N. New Warrington Rd., Suites 1 & 2, Pensacola (850) 453-0794 | kabayangrocery.com

Best Latin Mini Mart

• 1709 N. W St., Pensacola | (850) 434-0229

Tienda San Pablo Mexican Store and More

• 6103 Tippin Ave., Suite D, Pensacola | (850) 741-2376 tiendasanpablomexicanstoreandmore.com

Tienda Latinos

• 8677 N. Palafox St., Pensacola | (850) 741-2067

El pelón Mexican Store

• 5161 Dogwood Dr., Milton | (850) 665-4205 Facebook: El pelón Mexican store