1- or 2-item combo

Cost: $8

Location: International Market (601 W. 36th Ave., Suite 8)

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday-Saturday

Phone: 561-5755

Options: Takeout

The Sagaya stores may be the best-known Asian markets in town, but they are by no means the only ones. The International Market also has shelves stocked with exotic goods, and its International Kitchen serves up ready-to-eat dishes under the same roof.

Always on the menu are chicharrones -- thick, long strips of fried pork -- whole fried talapia and papaya salad. There are also combination plates -- one or two items with fried or steamed rice. Rotating entrees include spare ribs adobo, beef with long green beans, garlic shrimp, beef broccoli, pork with Chinese broccoli, spicy chicken wings and pepper steak.

I'm partial to the Hawaiian chicken: moist and savory, lightly blackened from grilling. The squid stir-fry is also a winner, with onions, carrots, red peppers and stalks of sweet basil.

Whatever you pick, make sure you get some of the kitchen's spicy cilantro soy sauce for topping off your rice.

-- Spencer Shroyer