The article discusses the significance of the Tashkent supermarket on Brighton Beach and its recent expansion into Manhattan’s West Village, highlighting its role in the Central Asian community in New York. The author reflects on their childhood memories of traditional dishes like manti, chaku-chak, and kompot in Kazakhstan. After moving to NYC in 2019, the author found familiarity and comfort in Tashkent, which specializes in Central Asian foods and has grown from one store in 2012 to five locations.
The West Village store has attracted attention, especially from food bloggers, making Central Asian cuisine more visible to new audiences. Tashkent’s success can be attributed to its strategic locations serving a large immigrant population from former Soviet Union countries. The supermarket sources products from various regions, blending American and Central Asian offerings.
While prices have increased due to Manhattan’s costs, the store remains a vital link for immigrants seeking familiar flavors. The West Village location showcases a blend of old and new customers, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Central Asia. The author finds pride in seeing Central Asian culture represented in this bustling environment, where both newcomers and longtime patrons share a space of exploration and nostalgia.
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