SOS Chefs
Spice store · East Village
104 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Highlights
Gourmet spices, oils, imports & rare ingredients. Owners are knowledgeable.
Gourmet spices, oils, imports & rare ingredients. Owners are knowledgeable.
"Slinging ingredients from basic to esoteric to fancy, this longtime New York City purveyor has been a staple of the city’s culinary community for almost three decades. Its 12-item kitchen essentials set is described as a good mix of staples (salt) and playful additions (smoked soy sauce) and will come in handy for the cook who’s let a few years lapse since last refreshing their spice shelf, or who recently moved and needs to build their collection back up. The neatly labeled, industrial-chic glass jars look great on the shelf as is; no need to transfer to "more aesthetic" containers." - Bettina Makalintal
"If ever you’re looking for plum-coated sesame seeds, banana vinegar, saffron, or agave worm salt, SOS Chefs will come to the rescue. The shop, located at 104 Avenue B, near East Seventh Street, has been in the East Village for nearly 30 years, and while the storefront is low-key in design, it has, in that time, become the secret weapon of chefs in New York City." - Emma Orlow
"Atef Boulaabi has been running this cabinet of curiosities in the East Village since 1996. In addition to the hundreds of top-notch provisions, sourced from around the world and available for individual purchase, Boulaabi also sells several holiday gift sets." - Emma Orlow
"A specialty sourcing shop used by the couple for restaurant and home provisions; the proprietor is personal and generous with recommendations and sample gifts (for example, saffron oil and fig-olive paste), making it a trusted resource for ingredients." - Alan Sytsma
"A fresh harissa that’s heartier and more nuanced than grocery-store versions; versatile enough to be mixed into yogurt or used as a flavorful rub for roasted lamb." - Tammie Teclemariam
