Dining Review: We’ve got the world on a plate

Sometimes you get tired of turkey sandwiches. Creative cooks, take note. There are dozens of ethnic markets in our neighborhoods. Here are some of my favorites.

If you’re cooking: Argentine

Go to: Rincon Argentino, 1375 E. Colorado, Glendale, (818) 246-4562

A tiny market with well-stuffed empanadas (I like the ground beef and olive), a sizable selection of Argentine wines and a case of South American meats. Super friendly proprietors.

If you’re cooking: Korean

Go to: Lotte Market, 2135 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada, (818) 957-8184

All the Korean barbecue fixings are here: thinly sliced bulgogi meat, marinade, seasonings, vegetables, soy sauce, coals, even beer, sake and soju. Of course you’ll also need kimchi, rice and other banchan. Lotte has them.

If you’re cooking: Cuban

Go to: El Mambi, 328 E. Chevy Chase, Glendale, (818) 246-6016

Fresh coconuts, platanos, and malanga rub elbows with guava jelly, Cuban espresso and criollo sauce. The meat case has chorizo from Salvador, Argentina, Mexico and various regions of Spain. Personally, I had the most fun perusing the shelves at this market. Ropa Vieja anyone?

If you’re cooking: Russian

Go to: Kozanian’s Market, 356 N. Chevy Chase, Glendale, (818) 240-5459

You’ll find borscht, pierogi, pelmeni and caviar at Kozanian’s as well as a well-tended produce section and packaged European and Middle Eastern products.

If you’re cooking: Indian

Go to: India Organic & Natural, 1340 E. Colorado, Glendale, (844) 371-8661

Not as comprehensive as India Sweets and Spices in Atwater but closer by. They have ayurvedic juices, herbs and spices as well as naturally grown products from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and elsewhere. They’ll be serving fresh curries soon.

If you’re cooking: Armenian

Go to: NOVA Market, 901 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, (818) 956-8600

or Raffi’s Market, 324 S. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, (818) 729-9000

You may already have a favorite Armenian market but check out the gleaming new NOVA at Glenoaks and Highland Avenue. The renovated space is clean and elegant with an impressive selection of delicious, prepared Middle Eastern foods. Raffi’s Market in Burbank is warm and inviting with a wagon-wheel Western theme. They carry a beautiful display of meats, including organic varieties.

If you’re cooking: Hungarian

Go to: Otto’s Import Store, 2320 W. Clark, Burbank, (818) 845-0433

Big tins of Magyar paprika and bottles of Hungarian wines line the shelves at this odd little shop on a side street in Burbank. Grab a salami sandwich while checking out Hungarian dolls, embroidery, music, cookbooks, even leather whips.

If you’re cooking: Filipino

Go to: Arko Foods, 1425 E. Colorado, Glendale, (818) 242-5921

Fresh fish, canned fish, fish sauce; SPAM, yam rolls and salted duck eggs; vegetables and chicken for adobo and jellied fruits for halo-halo. Arko’s prepared hot food counter was wall-to-wall customers one recent Sunday.

If you’re cooking: Italian

Go to: Mario’s Italian Deli & Market, 740 E. Broadway, Glendale, (818) 242-4114

You’ll find beautiful olive oils, imported pasta, San Marzano tomatoes and Italian meats for a killer lasagna not to mention cannoli-makings for dessert.

If you’re cooking: Mexican

Go to: Super King, 2260 N. Lincoln, Altadena, (626) 296-9311

They have many ethnicities represented at the gigantic Super King, but I like their Mexican cheeses and hard-to-find produce like cactus paddles, chayote, jicama and tomatillos.

For everything else

Go to: Cost Plus, 223 N. Glendale Ave., Glendale (818) 241-2112

Many of those nonperishable snacks, sauces, spreads and drinks you loved in England, France, Hawaii, Japan and beyond are on the shelves at Cost Plus World Market.

Happy cooking!

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LISA DUPUY welcomes comments and suggestions at LDupuy@aol.com.