There's no shortage of Oriental and Asian markets in the area. But some of them offer a little extra. At Maxim's, it's the take-out food counter. It's packed with dishes some of which you need to be a little adventurous to try, like tripe, and various parts of the inner pig that look like Captain Davy Jones' face in 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. But there's also a wonderful stewed pork picnic cut that's been marinated and slow-cooked until it's almost purple which wouldn't upset the most conservative eater. And there are noodles and vegetable dishes, along with fried fish and chicken dishes that would frighten no-one. $4.25 buys you your choice of three dishes for a take-out meal in a box.

In the fish corner live fish swim in a tank. The deli section offers various rice dumplings with different fillings, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. And you'll find vats of fresh seaweeds next door to the vegetable department that stocks all the produce familiar to Westerners, as well as garlic shoots, various less familiar squash and eggplant varieties.

Maxim's Gourmet Oriental Market, 460 Hungerford Dr, Rockville, 301 279 0110. 

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