The rice area at the Apna Bazar Farmers Market at 85 Gateway Dr. at Gateway Square in Hampden Township. The market specializes in ingredients from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. March 25, 2022. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

International markets are cropping up on city corners and suburban strip centers around central Pennsylvania.

Pan-Asian, Middle Eastern or Latin markets stand out as among the most popular, but you’ll find just as many targeting a single nationality such as Indian, Nepali, Korean and Mexican, among others.

The markets represent central Pa.’s growing diverse population and also give those interested in different cultures a place to buy unique ingredients and staples such as rice, noodles, beans, vegetables and spices. Food can often be purchased at a fraction of the cost traditional grocery stores charge.

RELATED: A growing number of ethnic markets in central Pa. sell diverse and sometimes less expensive ingredients.

For many, the international markets are more than a place to buy food. They transport shoppers on a trip around the globe or offer others a simple reminder of their homelands.

Here’s a short list of seven international markets in the Harrisburg region worth visiting:

Extraordinarily fresh produce can be found at the Apna Bazar Farmers Market at 85 Gateway Dr. at Gateway Square in Hampden Township. March 25, 2022. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Apna, a modern market specializing in ingredients from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, opened in February at the Gateway Square shopping center in Hampden Township.

The New York-based chain was founded in 1995 and grown to dozens of locations throughout the United States. It stands out for wide, well-organized aisles.

Extraordinarily fresh produce is a big draw with cilantro, greens, melons, peppers, green beans, ginger and onions, among dozens of other items. A frozen foods section is impressive with ready-to-heat meals, naan and desserts.

The strictly vegetarian market also carries dried beans, lentils, puffed rice snacks, spices, chutneys, biscuit cookies as well as cheese, eggs and milk but no meats or seafood. Look for a wide selection of organic foods and a stunning array of rice, some packed in 50-pound sacks.

It’s open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

85 Gateway Drive, Hampden Township, 717-458-8160

Best known as the “Asia Mall” by locals, the cavernous grocery off 13th Street in Harrisburg is a must-stop for anyone who cooks Asian foods. It’s located inside an indoor strip mall alongside several restaurants including Kanlaya Thai Restaurant.

By all accounts the market is the largest of its kind operating in the city and surrounding East Shore neighborhoods. The atmosphere is no-fuss and it’s haphazardly organized. But shoppers like it because they can buy everything they need in one trip.

Multiple aisles are stocked with staples such as tea, rice, condiments and noodles. Napa cabbage, ginger and tomatoes as well as unusual finds such as pumpkin leaf, bok choy tips and WaWa choy sell in the produce section.

There is an impressive selection of live fish and whole fish on ice as well as frozen seafood options, too. The market also carries an eye-popping inventory of snacks and candy as well as cheap cookware and dishes.

It’s open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

This Korean market operates at the State Street Plaza in Lemoyne sandwiched between Korealicious and Nagoya Japanese restaurants. The well-organized, tiny, neat-as-a-pin shop boasts a decent inventory.

Along with packages of spicy ramen, Korean rice cakes and mega bottles of soy sauce, shoppers can stock up on homemade kimchee, rice, condiments such as pickled radish, cans of lychees and dozens of types of noodles.

Dong Yang opened about 10 years ago and shoppers say it’s one of the only places to find certain Korean ingredients. The owners are quiet and go about their business but welcome feedback and questions about products.

It’s open 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

829 State St., Lemoyne, 717-737-4709

David Peysakhov, opened the European market, Goldy Market - GourMet,in 2004. The story is at 400 Bridge St. in New Cumberland. March 30, 2022. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Described by one customer as small and charming, Goldy Market specializes in goods from Eastern Europe and Russia.

A selection of teas, meats, breads and dry goods is displayed and attracts customers, many whom owner David Peysakh said have been loyal shoppers for 18 years.

He opened Goldy in 2004 after his family immigrated from Russia, where Peysakh said he worked as a psychology professor.

These days, Peysakh is worried sanctions placed on Russia due to the war with Ukraine will eventually prevent him from receiving inventory. He said he fully supports the Ukrainians in the war against Russian and has a strong distaste for Russian president Vladimir Putin.

“All our Ukrainian, Polish, and even Russian customers stand with you, Ukraine!” he wrote on Facebook. Peysakh recently sent medicine, food and money to Ukraine. In the meantime, shoppers stop at the store in a strip mall to stock up on an array of sweets, pickles, salamis, breads and frozen dumplings.

The shop is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday-Tuesday.

400 Bridge St., New Cumberland, 717-774-4142

The new market is advertised as the “Largest Mediterranean supermarket.”

It has a distinctly Mediterranean appeal and carries halal meats and offers an exquisite array of fresh walnuts, almonds and traditional candies. The inventory of dates is arguably beyond compare in the region.

A shopper new to Middle Eastern foods may find an item or two that is unfamiliar, but most of owner Baywand Sdiq’s food products - rice, lentils, canned beans and spices to name a few - are part of a wide repertoire when it comes to ethnic foods.

It’s open 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily.

5103 Carlisle Pike, Hampden Township, 717-477-3999

An impressive assortment of foods is packed into this small market in Susquehanna Township. It combines Indian and Nepali ingredients with standard corner store items such as milk and eggs.

Sister’s does a brisk business. Owner Man Ghatey said about half the customers are Americans, many whom he said are drawn to the spicy cuisine. Shoppers applaud the market for its clean atmosphere and friendly service.

Ghatey, who is originally from Bhutan, arrived in the United States as a refugee. He recognizes the growing number of Nepali and Indian markets but says there is room for everyone.

“All of these stores have their own goodwill for the customer,” he said.

It is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

2209 Paxton St., Susquehanna Township, 717-510-6515

Up front, diners gather in oversized booths and around tables enjoying plates of tacos, sopes and fajitas. The Mexican theme carries to the back of the house where a small grocery sells a colorful inventory of spices, baked goods, sweets, beans and tortillas. Pinatas decorated in brightly hued crepe paper dangle from the ceiling.

Owners Ricardo and Anabel Ortiz opened Tres Hermanos in 2004 in Steelton, and relocated to be closer to Harrisburg’s growing Latin population.

The store carries mainstream products - Goya beans and Squirt sodas and harder-to-find Klass Aguas Frescas drink mixes, pre-made caramel flan, Café Soluable Legal coffee and D’Gari candies. One of the hallmarks is pan dulce or sweet breads sold in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Tres Hermanos is open 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

712 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg, 717-233-2210

Cannot see the map? Click here.

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 5/1/2021).

© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.