Probably my favorite ethnic cuisine is Asian. What's not to like? With the exception of dairy, it covers all the basic food groups. I kind of wish "sodium" was a food group because that is a huge reason why I enjoy Asian food so much. Japanese to be specific, with all that fish and soy sauce, that is a near perfect meal for me. I wish some how I could get dairy in there somewhere, but it really doesn't work.

My favorite Asian market is Uwajimaya. They have a few locations up North with my favorite in downtown Seattle. It's always a special treat for me when I spend the day up there, grocery shopping for a few hours and then ending my outing with some delicious, freshly made sushi. But Uwajimaya is not the topic of this column. Pal Do World is!

Pal Do World is where I go when I don't have the time or patience to drive to Seattle. Nestled off of South Tacoma Way, it's incredibly easy to get to, no matter which direction you are coming from. From the moment you walk in to the store, you are transported to some exotic land, even the music from the store's sound system.

The produce section hosted some screaming deals on herbs like a 39 cent bunch for cilantro, fresh dill for 79 cents, and parsley for 59 cents. Broccoli was very reasonable at 99 cents a pound, and get this, Meyer lemons only 69 a pound!  I paid $1.39 a pound for a sweet onion at Fred Meyer the other day and I wished I had waited because Pal Do had them for 79 cents a pound. Stay away from the Napa Cabbage. I'll just leave it at that.

Near the produce was a WALL of kimchi. Not a big fan of the stuff myself, but for those who are? Run don't walk. It's pretty amazing and quite pretty if I do say. It did explain the interesting odor I experienced when I first arrived.

Have you ever had a sweet and sour gooseberry? Neither have I, and it will most likely never will. Oy. Also, every style of chestnut is offered from pickled to roasted, raw and wasabied. Need some garlic? They have a five-pound bag of peeled garlic for $6.99. I kid you not.

I grabbed a can of Kikkoman Japanese curry sauce with chicken and vegetables for $2.99. Heated that bad boy up last night and poured over sticky rice and I was impressed! It was tasty! Wish now I would have bought a few more cans for dinner in a pinch, but it will give me an excuse to go back soon.

Soybean paste or Miso as most of us know it comes in a few different forms from dried in a pouch or fresh in a container. The selection is overwhelming but appreciated. Miso is great to use as a substitute for meat stock in a dish if you want it to be vegetarian.

And oh the seafood selection! I was most fascinated by the frozen Canadian Whelk, which really is just very large sea snail. They too can be yours for dinner at $2.99 a pound. I would put them in some Miso for a real treat. Not really. That is just a little too outside my comfort zone.

You will find most everything you need for your Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican or any other tasty ethnic inspired dish your little heart can create at Pal Do World. And I must mention their skin care store featuring Shiseido products and the amazing food court! Don't get me started, don't even get me started. ...

[Pal-Do World International Market, 9805 32nd Ave. Ct. S., at 96th and South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, 253.584-2022]