Lying directly under a national border and seeing its population grow in ethnic diversity, Bellingham benefits from international flavor in its food culture. Our standard grocery stores offer a garden variety of spices to stock most pantries, but sometimes we want to look beyond. Spices can present residents with a window into other cultures or, if they’ve come here from abroad, a taste of home.
Searching for spice stores in Bellingham reveals a selection of specialty spots as diverse as their offerings. They range from spice and tea specialists to international grocers to restaurants and herbal medicine stores. Let’s explore the spiciest stores in Bellingham and the other culinary and cultural curiosities they have to offer.
The Spice Hut
With over 175 tea options, The Spice Hut has featured in WhatcomTalk articles on its business and places to find bubble tea in town. In addition to bulk spices and teas, they sell teaware, sauces, and snacks from eastern and western countries.
The Spice Hut locally produces their spices, herbs, and teas in a warehouse on Axton Road. They also offer bubble tea specials in-store, with new flavors rotating every month.
131 W. Kellogg Road
360.671.2800
Intercontinental Foods
With goods from India, Pakistan, Fiji, Mexico, and the United States, Intercontinental Foods offers an array of specialty imports. The front of the building serves as an American convenience store, while the back room offers spices, teas, and other treats from around the world. Their Facebook page regularly stays updated on new products and specials.
4564 Meridian Street
360.715.2015
Euro Market
On Meridian Street, Euro Market sells goods from European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. These include not only spices but candy, tea, sweets, meats, cold drinks, and traditional gifts.
4151 Meridian Street
360.733.3747
West Coast Oriental Grocer
Another convenience store along the Guide Meridian, West Coast Oriental Grocer carries brands from numerous eastern countries. They sell seasonings, sauces, noodles, cooking ingredients, produce, frozen foods, and more. West Coast Oriental Grocer has also started a cafe that sells banh mi sandwiches to go.
4064 WA-539
360.738.6614
Europa Food
Spices are among many offerings at Europa Food, which specializes in imports from Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Balkans. They also sell cured meats, fresh cheeses, wine and beer, bulk candy, gifts, and other groceries. Europa Food carries international brands such as Kinder, Vegeta, Dr. Oetker, and Milka.
3908 Meridian Street
360.676.7103
India Mart
The newest store on this list, India Mart is a grocery store with both foods and essential items from India, Fiji, and southeast Asia. They have an entire aisle of spices, and others dedicated to rices and flours, produce, baked goods, and even traditional wedding reception items. India Mart also offers freshly-baked sweets in their in-house dessert case.
193 Telegraph Road
360.208.0800
Em’s Herbals
In addition to selling spices, Em’s Herbals specializes in herbal medicine. They offer bulk herbs, spices, tea blends, infused oils, and natural body care products. Noting their Organic Certificate from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), their website also offers regular specials and online shopping.
2795 E. Bakerview Road, Unit 17
360.778.2295
Asia Oriental Market
A mainstay of the Fountain District, Asia Oriental Market is a specialty grocery store with recognized brands from numerous Asian countries. In addition to packaged spices, they sell produce, canned goods, noodles, sauces, sweets, and cooking ingredients.
2408 Meridian St.
360.671.0446
Wonderland Tea and Spices
As covered in another WhatcomTalk article, Wonderland Tea and Spices has operated in downtown Bellingham since 1976. They sell hand-blended teas, spices, and herbs in bulk, plus gifts such as candles, teaware, and body care products. Wonderland’s Facebook and Instagram pages provide updates on new offerings and classes on how to make oils, salves, and tinctures from herbs.
1305 Railroad Ave.
360.733.0517
Drizzle Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room
Representing Fairhaven, Drizzle Olive and Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room is a specialty gourmet store. True to their name, they offer samples of ultra-premium extra virgin olive oils, fused and infused olive oils, and balsamic vinegars. Their spice blends, teas, honeys, meats and cheeses, and gifts are also locally sourced and gourmet.
1208 11th Street in Fairhaven
360.392.8838
Old World Deli
A restaurant first and grocery second, Old World Deli offers spices alongside wines, meats, and cheeses online and in-store. This European-style delicatessen sources rare ingredients they also use in their sandwiches, soups, salads, and charcuterie. Old World Deli’s website also allows local pickup and delivery for lunch orders, catering options, and the Food + Wine Club where members can receive monthly selections.
1228 N. State St.
360.738.2090
