Aji Ichiban*

Aji Ichiban subtitles itself 'Munchies Paradise', though the name actually means 'Taste - number one' in Japanese. It's one of over 200 of a Hong Kong-based snack food franchise. Ping Sun, from Taiwan, opened this one in 2003 when her English husband Nigel Shaw, a regular traveler to Asia, was persuaded by her that even if he wasn't such a fan of sugar-coated crab-shell treats, the Chinese community around Rockville missed their dried shredded fish, pork jerky, pork floss and spicy squid slivers (all delicious) to crunch with their cold beers.

For the less adventurous snacker, there are various flavored rice crackers. Preserved plums are worth investigating, soft and mildly salty, steeped in different flavorings. Children will go crazy for the jellied candies that look like fried eggs, and fruity bootlaces. Look for impeccably rendered hamburgers and fries made in gum.

But this is probably one of the best places to come and buy dried fruit by the weight - slices of dried mango, pineapple, strawberries and more are succulent and singing with flavor.

Aji Ichiban, 309 N. Washington St, Rockville, 301 610 7798. 

* means this is one of My Favorite Markets