Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Panama Expat Forum

Foodies, Asian Groceries?

New Topic Newest First
Cezanne888
  8/28/2015 13:43 EST

We are coming to Panama--I am a Le Cordon Bleu Chef, I'm also Chinese. After reading the posts, I've decided to bring my knives, pans, small appliances, spices, baking pans--read they are hard to find there. We are bringing everything with us on the flight over--so must be very selective.

I've lived in very "foodie" cities--Hong Kong, San Francisco, Honolulu. We recently lived in West Palm Beach, Florida & was very disappointed with the food scene--restaurants not very good & people only want to eat hamburgers & tacos. How would you folks rank Panama as far as food & the restaurants?

Will I be able to get Asian ingredients--hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, etc--are there any Asian Grocery stores there?
Thank you so much for any info.

Travelocity
  8/28/2015 15:21 EST

Oh panama…
Well panama has seen a boom of restaurants come up in that past few years. Lots of Venezuelans are setting up shop here for one reason or another.
A restaurant targeting to lower to middle class can survive. I have been to restaurants that are no longer in business and it is a real shame b/c they were good.
I am a foodie myself. Lol
I go to the same places all the time, I have found my favorites. I think online reviews are killing a lot of restaurants and people are becoming less tolerant or wasting their money and much more savvy and outspoken thru sites such as degustapanama.com.
You can find reviews, new restaurants etc.
You can find asian ingredients…me I wanted galangal to make to make thai coconut soup, but I found dried not fresh. I can’t find kafier leaves.
There are a lot of ‘specialty markets’ in bal harbor plaza in paitilla or el dorado mall with lots of authentic Chinese/asian stores, mainly Chinese ingredients.
Other stuff, I can’t find here. I have it shipped thru amazon and our po box. I also bring stuff back on my trips.
Hop on a plane, $200 cheap spirit airlines and take a look at these places….see what is worth bringing with you and what you can find here.
I have also found $2.95 x 4 vanilla beans! That’s a bargain compared to what I paid in whole foods for $7x 1 vanilla bean!
Those things you listed are here.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

ranadelnorte
  8/28/2015 15:22 EST

The ingredients you mention are available at both the El Rey and Riba Smith grocery store chains in PTY. Specialized Asian ingredients are available in the El Dorado area of the city. There is a strong Chinese tradition in PTY.

Technically you can't import foods in your luggage to Panama, so bringing spices is risky. Your choice.

The supply and quality of fish and seafood available in PTY is excellent if you go to the fish market. You will find the availability and variety of a great many European-style food items lacking if you're intent on Cordon Bleu cooking style, in particular certain meat cuts, dairy products and baking flour. If you're used to artisanal produce you'll be disappointed.

Some Panamanian chefs are re-inventing Panamanian cooking at a handful of restaurants, and there are annual food and wine fairs that are gaining in popularity, but in general Panamanian tastes are not very sophisticated. It is a developing market. In Latin America the foodie cities are Bogota, Colombia and Lima, Peru.

Bon appétit!

betsytrips
  8/28/2015 15:42 EST

Sort of on subject. Try putting galangal in on Amazon and there is fresh plus other things you were looking for fresh. I would never have known had I accidentally run into it. Now getting them into country could be a challenge but there is a source.

Cezanne888
  8/28/2015 15:46 EST

Thank you! I am relieved to hear I can get Asian ingredients!

Cezanne888
  8/28/2015 15:55 EST

Thank you so very much--I will check out that website & so good to know where I can get Asian ingredients. I'm curious as to which are some of your favorite restaurants?

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

Travelocity
  8/28/2015 16:51 EST

favorite restaurants:
Sabor de la India- bella vista
Only get butter chicken, mutton curry, rice, mango lassi, massala dosa
Restaurante Vietnamita- san Francisco
Gauchos- bella vista
Get filete en trozo.
NY bagel café- el cangrejo
Unlimited coffee and good breakfast-nothing else. Various flavors of coffee
Al Veccio forno- san francisco
Pepperoni Pizza and Italian food
Pastisima- san Francisco
Good spread of antipasto, good pasta dishes too
The market- bella vista
Best patty melt in home made rye bread (sometimes hard to get the right, too raw, too cooked oh well we managed to explain to get it right)
Hotel grace
Tuesday unlimited tapas night, super yummy, but pricey $30pp
Beirut
It’s Mediterranean, but we go for its chicken alfredo
Habibis in calle Uruguay
Best Mediterranean, the 1 person mesa is plenty for 2 people!
Executive hotel
Late bite nite place, open 24 hrs during the weekends, breakfast 24 hrs a day. Best for: fajitas, huevos rancheros, desserts: ny style cheesecake, carrot cake, apple pie. Unlimited coffee too.
Jeffrey bakery- paitilla
Best for fish and chips, most deserts too
Mar de Grau- obarrio or Marbella
Best Peruvian food- they know how to cook seafood to perfection and it has great flavors.

ranadelnorte
  8/28/2015 17:34 EST

Please use the search function for many, many suggestions on restaurants in PTY.

Personal favourites that are professional chef owned and operated are
Donde Jose in Casco Viejo
Reisen in El Cangrejo

Professional chef, good for lunch or brunch
American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo

Indian
Avatar on Via Argentina in El Cangrejo (new, run by a Canadian, consistently has lamb and imported Indian beer; really good)

Cezanne888
  8/28/2015 17:56 EST

Thank you so much--Yum!

Panama2017
  8/28/2015 18:49 EST

I have to jump in here on some favorites:

Agree with Randelnorte that Donde Jose is definitely #1 on my list for Panamanian fusion, and also agree that Riesen is a close 2nd.

For brunch or lunch try Chez Titi - Salon de Te in El Cangrejo - it's unique (quirky) and delicious.

The PTY LIfe website is great for providing the latest options for foodies.

betsytrips
  8/28/2015 19:03 EST

Just had to tell you all that you have made me terribly hungry with your wonderful sounding food suggestions.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

ranadelnorte
  8/28/2015 21:08 EST

Panama2017: Thanks for the tip about Chez Titi. To return the favour, the famous French patisserie Ladurée has opened in the Soho, and serves light lunch, brunch and the famous French macarons.

Panama2017
  8/28/2015 21:50 EST

Ah, ranadelnorte, Ladurée looks lovely. I will definitely go during my next visit to Panama.

Travelocity
  8/28/2015 22:11 EST

I forgot the thai restaurant near calle Uruguay, very classy and good.
pad thai and all beef dishes are good. great service, great ambiance, bit pricey

llseldon
  8/28/2015 22:43 EST

Good Chinese food is Lung Fung in P. C. near RIiba Smith & a "hole in the wall" across the parking lot from the 99 supermercado in El Dorado, whatever the daily special is the only choice you have is rice or noodles. FYI El Dorado is the new China town replacing Av B in the CV.area near the fish market, be sure & see the China Gafe when you visit the fish market.

Cezanne888
  8/29/2015 00:21 EST

Thanks, I know I'll need a Chinese Food fix at some point...

Cezanne888
  8/29/2015 00:24 EST

We're in Hawaii now--lunch for the two of us is always $25+, if we have wine or a margarita, then $45--$60.

panamajames
  8/29/2015 03:59 EST

If you are in David in Chiriqui Province, look up The Steak House. It's Chinese food heaven. Not far from there is an Asian food store. Everything Asian and more. Lots of Chinese restaurants in the vicinity.

capforfun
  8/29/2015 08:00 EST

Great post for foodies, which we are :-)

We have been wondering about this as well. We were already prepared to grow certain items like Thai Chili Peppers ourselves but there are many ingredients (we particularly like Thai) that we are hoping to be able to find easily in Boquete or David to pair with the amazing fresh fish and produce :-)

lapapuja
  8/29/2015 08:46 EST

Hung's grocery in the El Dorado Mall has the best selection of Asian food ingredients that I have found.

Travelocity
  8/31/2015 15:13 EST

we had a friend who went to Thailand and brought chili seeds. he grew his tree in his balcony of his apt..

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Panama GuideLiving in Panama Guide

Our Guide to Living in Panama is a perfect primer for readers interested in Panama. Covers healthcare, cost of living, best places to live, residency, visas, real estate, moving tips and the pros and cons of living in Panama.

Panama Forum Panama Forum
Join our Panama forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Panama.

Contribute to Panama Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

Best Places to Live in Panama Best Places to Live in Panama

If you're dreaming about living in Panama, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Panama in 2023.

Healthcare in PanamaHealthcare in Panama

Expats have differing opinions about healthcare in Panama. Many advice against public hospitals and healthcare, but some recount good experiences. This article covers public vs private healthcare, cost of healthcare, obtaining prescription medications and much more.

Cost of Living in PanamaCost of Living in Panama

Expats in Panama enjoy a relatively low cost of living. However, it's important to do your research to make sure you'll actually enjoy those saving while creating a high quality of life as an expat in Panama.

Moving to PanamaMoving to Panama Guide

Do you have to buy a round trip ticket when moving to Panama? How difficult is it to bring my dog? Should I buy a home in Panama? Can I find health

Real Estate in PanamaReal Estate in Panama

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Panama.

Pros Cons of Living in PanamaPros & Cons of Living in Panama

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Panama.

Retiring in PanamaRetiring in Panama

Advice for people retiring in Panama.

Visa and Residency PanamaPanama Visa & Residency Guide

This article covers the ins and outs of the most common tourist and residency visas that expats and global nomads obtain when moving to and living in Panama.

10 Tips for Living in Panama10 Tips for Living in Panama

If you've recently arrived in Panama, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Panama.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Panama Network Contribute
Help others in Panama by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal