Dat Moi Market

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO125
“Pickapeppas” Gardena, 2025

Today my mom and I went on a mission to find Pickapeppa sauce. It has been weirdly hard to track down lately, both in SoCal and back in Texas. One of my mom’s neighbors suggested we try Dat Moi Market in Gardena, and thank goodness we did. They had Pickapeppa! Success!

Even better, the shelves were packed with all kinds of interesting Caribbean ingredients, and we spent a good while just looking around and discovering new things. Of course, we could not leave without grabbing a couple of beef patties too. Absolutely worth the stop.

Dat Moi’s website says it is “your source for African, Asian, Caribbean, Hispanic & Polynesian products,” and yep, that checks out. Highly recommend if you are looking for something a little harder to find.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/3200 sec, ISO80
“Beef Pattie” Torrance, 2025

Jamaican Dinner

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/40 sec, ISO400
“Crab Rundown” Torrance, 2023

Our Christmas Eve dinner was a Jamaican feast prepared by my mom. It was out-of-this-world! The star of the show (for me at least) is the crab rundown. The rundown sauce is so good. I could eat the sauce over rice all day long!

In addition to the crab, we had callaloo, rice & peas, stew peas, curry goat, oxtail, jerk chicken and pork, ackee & saltfish, escovich fish, and fricassee chicken. Needless to say, we were all stuffed. 😆

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/60 sec, ISO250
“Jamaican Spread” Torrance, 2023

Patties at HEB

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/125 sec, ISO32
“Patties at HEB” Cedar Park, 2023

While browsing the freezer section of my local HEB supermarket, I was pleasantly surprised to find Jamaican patties! I’ve had these before, and while they’re not as good as the ones I’m used to, they’re a convenient and affordable option. The crust is actually pretty good, but the filling could use some improvement. Still, I’m happy to have a Jamaican patty option at my fingertips! 😀

Coveted Pickapeppa Flavor

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/120 sec, ISO125
“Coveted Red Sauce” Torrance, 2023

Many people are familiar with the original Pickapeppa flavor, but the hot pepper flavor is my favorite. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find these days, so when I saw it in my mom’s pantry, I had to have some. If anyone sees the hot pepper flavor, please buy some for me! Willing to drive hours for it.

Jamaican Dinner

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/60 sec, ISO125
“Jamaican Dinner” Torrance, 2022

My mom prepared her annual Jamaican feast for us tonight. We had jerk pork and chicken, escovich fish, stew peas, plantain, oxtail, rice and peas, callaloo, and run-down crab. It was amazing! The crab tasted great, but the curry smell will stay on my fingers for days. It’s worth it, though!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/3.6, 1/100 sec, ISO2500
“Jamaican Feast” Torrance, 2022