Global Flavors, Local Smiles: Discover Grocery Singh in Everett

This story is brought to you by Live in Everett Member: Juanita "Nita" Dawson LMT/MMT

Photos: Rachel Weatherholt

By now, you’ve probably noticed the new store on 18th and Broadway. This is Grocery Singh. It opened earlier this year and is an international food market offering a wide range of products, including spices, produce, frozen foods, dry goods, snacks, kitchenware, and even items for worship. If you haven’t visited yet, I urge you to do so. I’ll even go with you!

Honestly, I was blown away the first time I walked in; I wasn't expecting such a wide range of products. It’s mostly Indian grocery items, but there are some local products that even the chain stores don’t carry, like CB’s Nuts from Kingston and Oregon Grower’s jams. Their chutney selection is incredible, the range of available spices is exciting for someone who enjoys cooking, and the aisle with the Achaar, or pickles, is one that I can get lost in for hours. Indian pickles are not the same as American pickles. The main difference is that the flavor profile of Indian pickles is much wider, and typically includes all the flavors: sweet, sour, tangy, spicy, and salty. They are oil-based, not vinegar-based and are typically used as a condiment, to be enjoyed in small quantities to enhance the flavors of a meal. So far my favorite pickle is mango, however, I still have a lot to try.

Full disclosure: I am completely uneducated in the ways of Indian cuisine, but it is easily my favorite cuisine to explore and enjoy. All the layers of flavors, including warm spices like cumin, coriander, and cloves; the inclusion of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors; and slowly simmered gravies and sauces combine for a unique experience. I have lacked the courage to make anything except butter chicken in my own kitchen. But with Grocery Singh, I feel confident that I can find everything I need to try other dishes. Palak paneer - a spinach gravy with chunks of a firm cheese called paneer - is next on my list.

I chatted with Gurleen, the owner, and I discovered that Grocery Singh has an older sibling in Kent, called Apna Frooticana. Both stores are family-run and share the same mission: to bring authentic Indian groceries, and global flavors, to local communities. Both stores have been welcomed warmly and with excitement in their respective communities. Personally, I love strolling the aisles and discovering new products and spices. We have brought home several food items that we have never tried, including popped lotus seeds and roasted Bengal gram, essentially roasted chickpeas. Both are delicious snacks that are far healthier than Doritos and Oreos. We have also brought home frozen samosas, a savory filled pastry served with chutney, and Gulab Jamun, a delightful dessert of fried dough balls soaked in syrup which are incredible when warmed up.

Grocery Singh runs weekend sales and also seasonal promotions during festivals like Diwali and Vaisakhi. They love supporting the local community and are planning to host in-store cultural events. The future offering that I am most excited about is a hot food grab-and-go section with offerings such as samosas, chai, street snacks, and rotating Indian dishes. (If you haven’t tried chaat - a type of Indian street food - you really must!) Sometimes trying a new cuisine can be overwhelming. I expect a grab-and-go bar will help alleviate some of that anxiety and will encourage more folks to try new foods.

I’ve waxed on about the shop’s offerings but equally important are the kind and friendly folks who work at Grocery Singh. We are always recognized and welcomed with a “hello!” and a smile. It is an inclusive and encouraging environment and it inspires me to try new things. And I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d go with you.

Grocery Singh
1825 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201
(206) 787-0786