TAMPA — The sweet and smoky smell of fried chicken, chiles and fish sauce wafting out the door was the first sign that I was in trouble.
A few weeks ago, I went to check out Lotte Plaza Market, a sprawling 49,000-square-foot Asian market in New Tampa. It was lunchtime and I was more than a little curious about the hype surrounding this place.
But I wasn’t prepared for just how expansive it was, or that I’d be facing down more options than I could handle on my own while dining solo.
Hundreds of people lined up when the Korean-owned superstore first opened its doors last November. This place has that kind of following, and it’s not hard to see why: The market’s launch marked the first of its kind for the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area, and it’s only the second Lotte Plaza Market in the state. (The other location is in Orlando.)
And while there are plenty of other great Asian groceries throughout the Tampa Bay area, Lotte’s food court — with several different concepts — is what really sets it apart.
As I wandered down the wide aisles, I passed shelves stocked with pretty much everything imaginable: Indian aachar, wasabi paste and banana cream Pocky sticks; rice cookers and chinaware; Korean beauty products; fresh vegetables and seafood; an entire section devoted to kimchi.
Inside the food court, which sits directly to the right of the store’s entrance, are multiple self-service portals where guests can peruse the available menus and order on one ticket. A text message lets diners know their order is ready for pickup, and there are plenty of tables and comfy booths for digging in.
I ended up coming back to Lotte Plaza Market a second time, because there were simply too many great options. Even on my second round I felt I had barely scratched the surface, but the following dishes are the ones that truly stood out.
I can’t wait to get back and try more. Next time, though, I’ll bring a friend.
Bibimbap bowl
Where: SGD DUBO - Song Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ
Price: $15.99
There are a number of proteins to choose from when topping off this popular Korean dish, from tofu and chicken to pork and seafood. I’m partial to the bulgogi-style sweet marinated beef, which pairs great with the medley of raw and sauteed vegetables, fried eggs and rice. A selection of banchan — small vegetable side dishes — accompany each order, including spicy, salty kimchi, fiery chile-laced green beans and Korean fish cakes.
Gangnam Style barbecue chicken
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Explore all your optionsWhere: Bbq chicken - Korea’s finest fried chicken
Price: $13.95
If you’re looking to soothe a hankering for crunchy, spicy Korean fried chicken, this is the place. There are more than 14 versions of the popular dish here, from Caribbean Spiced to Honey Garlic and the aptly named Wings of Fire. The Gangnam Style version features the crispy sweet and spicy wings tossed in a gingery, peppery sauce, topped with jalapenos. This is maybe the best fried chicken I’ve ever had.
Corn cheese doughnuts
Where: Tous les Jours
Price: $3.95
There is just so much to love at this Asian bakery, from chocolate-filled croissants to cream cheese-stuffed garlic rolls to Japanese milk bread. But my favorite thing might be these sweet and ever-so-slightly savory corn doughnuts, which are puffy and sugary on the outside and filled with a sweet corn custard.
Kimchi croquette
Where: Tous les Jours
Price: $3.25
Are you a fan of crispy, golden-fried croquettes? Do you love the spicy, salty tang of kimchi? Then you’ll fall just as hard as I did for these crazy-delicious — and filling — treats. (Pro tip: These travel well and are great for a solid snack on the go.)
Vietnamese coffee
Where: In main store
Price: Varies by brand
Tous les Jours has a cafe that sells a number of espresso-based beverages, from honey lavender macchiatos to tiramisu lattes. But the main grocery store also sells a solid selection of grab-and-go drinks, including several different brands of sweet and strong Vietnamese black coffee — the perfect pick-me-up for your ride home.
Apricot Danish
Where: Tous les Jours
Price: $3.95
This over-the-top pastry combines poached apricots with a sweet custard base, strawberry jam and cream. It’s every bit as decadent and delicious as it sounds.
Kimchi pancake
Where: SGD DUBO - Song Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ
Price: $12.99
I loved these custardy, crispy fried pancakes — called kimchijeon — which arrive chock-full of fiery kimchi and charred scallions. The portions are huge here, which makes this a great option for sharing.
Jjamjjamyeon
Where: SGD DUBO - Song Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ
Price: $17.99
A Korean-Chinese duo of dishes, this features both a warming and savory plate of noodles draped in a thick black bean sauce as well as a piping hot and super spicy seafood stew, which came loaded with shrimp, squid, clams and a bevy of vegetables. Both dishes packed tons of flavor, and came accompanied by tart pickled radishes.
Salmon High Roll
Where: Haru Sushi
Price: $17.50
The sushi selection here isn’t anything groundbreaking, but there is a decent selection of rolls to choose from if it’s sushi you’re set on. I liked the Salmon High Roll, a combination of salmon, cream cheese and avocado topped with more salmon and fried masago (smelt roe).
Kimchi
Where: In main store
Price: Varies by type
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this Korean grocer stocks a standout selection of kimchi, but the variety here is truly impressive. From scallions to cabbage, cucumbers and radishes, there’s plenty of the spicy, fermented vegetable side to choose from.
If you go to Lotte Plaza Market
17605 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa. 813-392-1107. lotteplaza.com.
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