Grocery stores that cater to diverse food preferences are essential in a college town like Pullman. With students from all over the world, finding markets that offer ingredients from home helps people feel connected to the community. While some say Pullman lacks diverse food options, this guide highlights the ethnic grocery stores available.
The Intercontinental Market, PNW Halal Meats and Shin’s Asian Market are all located on Grand Avenue in Pullman. These markets offer more than just food; they provide a gateway to global traditions and a sense of belonging. From Mexican candy to Asian spices, these stores enhance Pullman’s cultural landscape, offering options many may not realize are available. They help strengthen community ties and promote diversity.
The Intercontinental Market & Smoke Shop, opened by Pullman’s Laura Garcia and her family in February 2024, fills a gap in local Hispanic food options. Garcia, a lifelong Pullman resident and Pullman High School graduate, noted the area’s lack of Hispanic representation.
“We had to travel up to Spokane,” Garcia said.
Her motivation to open the market and offer the community a taste of home. Garcia and her family wanted to be a source of representation.
“It’s hard to find anything like this,” she added “We thought, well, why not? My family has been here a while, and we’re Hispanic, so we wanted to bring another cultural [representation].”
The market offers snacks, appetizers and groceries from El Salvador, Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico and beyond. Customers can preorder items or buy them in-store, and special requests are welcome.
“Any items they don’t see at the market, we can always bring in,” Garcia said.
The store is located at 1045 North Grand Avenue.
PNW Halal Meats was founded in 2010 and purchased four years ago by Ali Ali. Ali began working at the store in 2015 after moving to Pullman. When the previous owner retired in 2020, Ali took over the business, running it with his wife and son.
The store offers food from India, the Middle East, Africa and more, with a wide selection of halal meats, vegetarian options and other goods. Ali said Pullman lacks many halal stores, but his shop fills that need while also giving back. PNW Halal Meats donates food to the Pullman Community Action Center Food Bank.
Ali enjoys meeting new people and welcoming students to the area. He hopes to expand the business by opening a restaurant.
“I’m thinking of starting a restaurant so we can have halal food around town,” Ali said.
The store is located at 940 S Grand Ave., Pullman.
Shin’s Asian Market has been a community favorite for nearly a decade, offering foods from Korea, China, Japan and more. The store provides a variety of frozen sweets like mochi, along with snacks, sauces, rice and ramen.
Nan Jiang, who recently moved from China to Pullman to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular biosciences, appreciates having access to Asian products.
“I buy sauces, noodles, tofu and rice from here,” Jiang said.
The store is located at 1475 S Grand Ave.
