A new market offers unique products to Killeen residents looking to cook or eat Southeast Asian cuisine.
SEA Market & Bistro, 4110 Clear Creek Road, Suite 103, opened its doors in Killeen for the first time on June 17. The market offers a variety of produce and freshly prepared dishes from Southeast Asia.
Setting up the bistro and the market was a real sprint. Owners Joan Johnson and Keili Manivanh signed the lease only a few months ago and it took until the beginning of the month, just days before opening, for the sign to arrive. Having only opened June 17, the store continues to change and grow, but some of that is intentional.
Manivanh said she was “constantly trying to offer things to customers.” If they don’t have the Southeast Asian cuisine item you want, chances are it can be ordered for you.
After all, owners Johnson and Manivanh know well that they can’t find the specific items they wanted for cooking and have to make a trip to Austin or Dallas to get them. Manivanh said that while Killeen has a few stores offering Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine, none of them offer much specifically in Southeast Asia.
Some of the differences between the products on sale may seem small to those unfamiliar with the nuances of preparing authentic foods, but Manivanh explained that seemingly minor differences in the type of rice and the equipment used to cook can have a considerable impact on the final product. .
The bamboo baskets and different types of rice offered here are essential to authentic Southeast Asian cuisine. The snacks also have slight differences. While Cheetos in general can be found in around 100 locations across the region; this store is the only one that offers flavors like Chicken Drumstick Cheetos.
The food available changes depending on the day. Panang curry was available on Friday, while Thai hot wings and vegetable lo mein were some of the dishes on offer on Saturday. All the dishes obviously have a connection to Southeast Asia.
No cooking is done on site; All food is prepared in advance, which is perfect for someone looking to eat quickly while on the go. The company also has a limited number of places available.
Despite the fluidity of the menu, one item that certainly won’t leave the menu are Manivanh’s spring rolls. Shortly after Friday, at the store, a customer came to ask questions and rave about them.
The rolls, traditionally made with cabbage and other vegetables, seem surrounded by an aura of local legend. The secret, she says, is “a lot of love.”
The dishes for purchase are the product of years of hard work and practice by Johnson and Manivanh.
Manivanh said: “We both love cooking; my mother called me into the kitchen as soon as I could get up. As someone of Laotian descent, this store gives him and many Killeen residents the opportunity to avoid compromising traditional dishes.
Manivanh said opening this business “is a dream. This has always been a dream.
