Hmong Village is a large indoor market in St. Paul serving the Twin Cities' Hmong community — the largest Hmong diaspora population in the United States, descendants of refugees who came from Laos following the Vietnam War. The market sprawls through a former shopping mall on the east side of St. Paul, with hundreds of vendors selling Hmong produce, prepared food, clothing, herbs, and craft goods.
The prepared food section is the reason to visit: dishes like papaya salad, pork blood soup, sticky rice in bamboo, and grilled meats that you will not find in any Minneapolis restaurant. Most vendors speak limited English, but pointing works fine, and the prices are extremely low. The market is 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis by car or light rail (Green Line to Payne Avenue). Open daily, busiest on weekends.