Nam Mu Asian Market

Special store with Karen refugee food you can't find ANYWHERE else. A logo with the distinct symbols of the Karen people (traditional horn flutes surrounding a Karen frog drum) greet you on the outside of the store. It may not have the floor space that Kyaw Karen Market has, but it has items Kyaw Karen Market does not have. I went to their deli & bought a special fish curry, unknown sausage (I've never seen it sold anywhere else), Burmese sticky rice dessert, & Burmese sticky rice donut. I got the food to go & reheated it later. Another time, I got their beef curry to go and ate it as leftovers as well. Each curry's flavor was rich, well-spiced, & satisfying. The sausage had a complex flavor, nice snap, good texture from the glass noodles. Nam Mu Karen market's sticky rice donut is done in a different style than Kyaw Karen Market's sticky rice donut: it reminds me more of Cambodian sticky rice donuts in some ways. It also does not have black sesame seeds sprinkled onto the crunchy glaze (both are equally delicious IMHO). There are other hot Karen foods you can't find anywhere else, homemade fish chili pastes, etc. This is a no-frills, working-class Karen refugee grocery store originally called "Original Karen Market," but under new management. NOTE: I strongly recommend you get their hot food in the morning, cuz the food is fresher and if you go in the afternoon, some items may be sold out. I was very lucky to not miss their sticky rice donuts when I visited (on a Saturday afternoon). There may still be 1 or 2 tables to let customers dine in, but I can't remember.

My favorite local place for Karen food. They have a deli with hot food, plus cold salads and more. They also have groceries, snacks, etc. The mote phat htote is my absolute favorite (coconut jaggery dumplings) and they have delicious fried rice and noodles. I also tried the steamed banana flower dish, which was spicy and flavorful. The staff is always friendly and welcoming and I keep going back. Highly recommend!