Shopping at an Asian market... when I'm not Asian?!

It helps if you know in advance what you want to buy, but do try to keep an open mind about what you might see for sale. Many of the packages have an English translation sticker over the original labels. Some of my best impulse purchases were udon and ramen noodles, giant bags of rice, fresh cilantro, Double Parrot brand fish sauce, canned coconut milk and Ma Po tofu sauce, (in a packet) which is very spicy.

I've had other shoppers explain to me what certain fresh foods were and how to prepare them, which was very helpful. The employees were like my local Wal-mart employees, "If it's not on the shelf, we are out of stock." For me, it's an adventure and fun to see durian-flavored ice cream, duck & quail eggs, aloe vera juice, fish-flavored crackers and more hot sauce than I've ever seen in my life.

Here's a thread on Chowhound (dot) com discussing Asian markets
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/755992

You don't need to speak the language to shop at an Asian store. Chances are really good that most of the staff, if the store is in an English speaking country, speak some English even if they're not completely fluent in it. I've been shopping most of my life, off and on, in stores where the staff and I don't have a language in common and I've managed just fine. You can do a lot by pointing, nodding or shaking your head, or holding up a few fingers.

First of all I don't find Asian markets cheap, for the same products, big chain supermarkets and groceries usually sell them cheaper because they buy in much bigger lots than small family owned stores thus getting lower prices from wholesalers. Big chains often buy direct from manufacturers, small local market can't.

Usually these stores will have a fluent English speakers during their peak hours, ie on the weekends, or right after work hours like during later afternoon or early evening when students work there partime. Try going during those times.

I don't quite understand this question. You seem to think that there is an Asian language. Don't you realize that people from China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan all speak different languages.. Obviously they have the same language problem that you seem to think you have. Look, business is business and I am sure they will be happy to take your money, no matter you speak. I shop weekly at an
Asian market and NEVER have had any trouble..

I am an avid cooker and i often go to asian markets where everything but the price is in korean or japanese...i usually dont mind that no one speaks english because i know what items im looking for and what they look like if i need something from the butcher there i know how to say it in korean or japanese so that they understand.

Of course, just go there and buy
baked tofu
noodles- chinese style, they're so good.
assorted green vegetables
peanut sauce
fish sauce
rice wrappers/wonton
bean sprouts
garlic
sesame oil
soysauce
sweetcorn , peas, stuff for spring rolls and noodles

Soup base- dashi/fish base, or chicken and veg soup base.

Buy a few, just look at the packets, and you'll get an idea.
I LIVE for my Thai supermarkets.

Spent 5 years in Thailand Indonesia and Malaysia. Travelled in China.

I have been to an Asian market many times before. I am certain that every foreign store has to have at least 3 peaple who work in the store that speak English. Its the law, i'm 100% sure of that.

Me. I actually learned this as a kid when i was taking a foreign language. I learned it from several people.

im vietnamese but cant speak vietnamese very fluently so i just speak in english.

i just point to the things i want, such as meat, and generally they understand basic english such as kilograms, etc.

no big deal.