As a hub of numerous stores and cultural diversity, 118 Avenue has quickly become a destination for ethnic foods in Edmonton. Now people will have even more to choose from with the addition of Mama’s Bodega Fresh Food Market.

I stopped in to meet owner Charity Durowaa and check out what the store has to offer.

As a small business owner myself, I am always curious to find out what drives someone to go out on a limb and open their own business. Just as I suspected, Durowaa saw a need and wanted to fill it.

“I thought that there is no Filipino shops around the neighbourhood and if I open one, it would work out well,” said Durowaa.

Mama’s Bodega Fresh Food Market offers a great selection of Filipino foods and has plans to expand into Latino foods as well.

I asked Durowaa what she thought was the tastiest thing in her store. She did not hesitate to tell me that the Filipino treat halo halo is one of the most delicious frozen desserts out there. I have tried it in the past and have to agree with her.

Halo halo is traditionally served in a dish with layers of different flavours of shaved ice, ice cream, evaporated milk and toppings. Mama’s Bodega makes it easy by selling halo halo in one package for you to enjoy.

While I was there, I did some shopping and picked up a couple packages of cookies. Let me tell you, they were great. So if you are looking for the ingredients of your next Filipino dish or just want to try something new, check out Mama’s Bodega Fresh Food Market.

Header Image: Owner Charity Durowaa suggests trying halo halo, a tasty frozen Filipino dessert. Credit: Steven Townsend

Mama’s Bodega Fresh Food Market

9340 – 118 Avenue
PH: 780.328.1751
HOURS:
Mon-Sat, 10 am-8 pm
Sun, 11 am-6 pm