T&T Supermarket — Dàtǒnghuá to its regulars — is Canada's biggest Asian grocery chain, and its Ottawa store on Hunt Club Road is a genuine destination in its own right. Part supermarket, part food hall, it is a joyfully overwhelming trip through pan-Asian ingredients: tanks of live seafood, walls of noodles and sauces, fresh bao, and a bakery turning out custard buns and sponge cakes.
Beyond the groceries, the real draw for a hungry visitor is the hot-food and takeaway counters — roast duck and char siu, sushi, bubble tea and freshly steamed snacks — perfect for assembling a cheap, delicious lunch. It is a brilliant window into the everyday food culture of Ottawa's Asian communities.
Local tip: Come hungry and graze the prepared-food and bakery sections rather than treating it as just a shop. Bring a cool bag if you are buying anything fresh to take away.
Good to know
- Where: 224 Hunt Club Rd Unit A, Ottawa, ON
- City: Ottawa