Where to Buy Sabudana (Sago) in Los Angeles

You can buy sabudana (sago) in Los Angeles at Anoras Cash N Carry, 567 S Fairfax Ave in the Fairfax District, where we keep it stocked in the small 200 g pouches you'd grab for one khichdi and the 2 lb bags you want when you're cooking for a fasting crowd. Prices start around $2.20, and if you'd rather not carry a heavy bag across Mid-Wilshire, we deliver within about 10 miles. Sabudana — those little pearly white beads that plump up and turn glossy when you soak them — is one of those pantry staples that's oddly hard to find at a regular supermarket and always in easy reach at a proper Indian grocery.

Here's what it is, which size to buy, how to cook it so it never turns into a gluey clump, and exactly where to find it near you.

What is sabudana, and is it the same as sago or tapioca?

Sabudana is the Hindi word for sago — small, round, starchy pearls made from the root of the tapioca (cassava) plant. So yes: sabudana, sago, and tapioca pearls are, for cooking purposes, the same thing. The starch is extracted, rolled into beads, and dried, which is why a dry pearl feels hard as a bead and turns soft and translucent once it drinks up water.

It's almost pure starch, which is exactly the point. Sabudana is gentle on the stomach, gluten-free, and gives you quick energy — the reason it became the backbone of Indian fasting food. In the pan it goes soft, a little chewy, and slightly sweet, and it happily takes on whatever you cook it with: peanuts, cumin, green chili, potato, a squeeze of lime.

Takeaway: if a recipe calls for sago or tapioca pearls, sabudana is what you're looking for — same pearl, different name.

What can you make with sabudana?

The famous one is sabudana khichdi — soaked pearls tossed with roasted peanuts, cumin, boiled potato and green chili until everything's glossy and separate. After that comes sabudana vada, the crisp-fried patties you eat with a cool yogurt or green chutney, and sabudana kheer, a milky pudding with cardamom that's as comforting warm as it is cold. Beyond the Indian kitchen, the same pearls thicken bubble-tea "boba," puddings and pie fillings, so a bag rarely sits unused.

If you want the taste without the soaking step tonight, we also stock Vadilal Sabudana Khichdi (284 g) in the freezer — a ready-made version for about $6.60 that heats up in minutes when the craving hits and the clock doesn't cooperate.

Which sabudana size should you buy?

Sabudana keeps for a long time in a sealed jar, so buy for how you actually cook. A few options we carry:

• Desi Kitchen Sabudana, 200 g — about $2.20. The try-it-once size, or enough for a single batch of khichdi for two.
• Dhanraj Sabudana, 400 g — about $3.85. A sensible mid-size for a household that fasts a few times a month.
• Spicy World Sabudana, 2 lb — about $5.50, and Dhanraj Sabudana, 2 lb — about $6.60. The bags to reach for during Shravan, Navratri or Janmashtami, when you'll be making khichdi and vada on repeat.

Most Indian sabudana is a medium-sized "nylon" pearl, which is what you want for khichdi and vada — it holds its shape and stays separate instead of dissolving. All of these fall into that category, so you can pick on size and price rather than fretting over the variety.

Takeaway: buy the 200 g if you're new to it, and step up to a 2 lb bag once sabudana khichdi earns a regular spot on your table.

How do you cook sabudana so it doesn't turn sticky?

Sticky, clumpy sabudana comes down to one thing: too much water for too long. The fix is to soak it in just enough water and no more.

Rinse the pearls two or three times until the water runs clearer, then add water so it sits only about a centimeter (a finger's width) above the sabudana — roughly equal parts pearls and water by volume. Cover and let it stand 4 to 6 hours, or overnight. It's ready when you can press a pearl and it squashes with no hard white dot in the middle. Drain off any water that's still pooling, fluff with a fork, and the pearls should feel plump and separate, not wet. Cook them over medium heat and stop as soon as they turn translucent; pushed too long, sabudana goes gummy.

Takeaway: water a finger's width above the pearls, a long soak, then drain well — that's the whole trick to fluffy khichdi.

Is sabudana good for vrat and fasting?

It's one of the classic farali (fasting) foods. During Shravan/Sawan Mondays, Ekadashi, Navratri and Janmashtami, many people avoid grains like wheat and rice, and sabudana steps in because it isn't a grain at all — it's tapioca starch. Cooked with peanuts, potato, cumin and rock salt (sendha namak), it's filling, energizing and vrat-friendly.

If you're stocking a fasting pantry, it's worth reading our guide to Sawan vrat foods and where to buy them in LA, which covers the peanuts, rock salt, samo/singhara flours and other farali staples that pair with sabudana.

Takeaway: sabudana is a safe, satisfying choice for most Indian fasts — just pair it with rock salt and vrat-friendly ingredients.

Where can you buy sabudana near you in Los Angeles?

Come to Anoras Cash N Carry at 567 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, in the Fairfax District just south of the Farmers Market and a short drive from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Culver City and Koreatown. We're open daily, 10 AM to 9 PM, so it's easy to swing by after work. You'll find sabudana with the grains and lentils — browse the full Lentils & Grains collection while you're at it for dals, poha and millet to round out the pantry.

Can't make the trip? We deliver Indian groceries across a roughly 10-mile radius, 10 AM to 8 PM, with a $35.97 minimum, a $7.98 delivery fee, and free delivery on orders over $99. Add a couple of bags of sabudana to your cart on our Los Angeles store page or the delivery page and we'll bring it to your door. Questions about a size or a substitute? Call us at 323-272-3617 — we cook this food too, and we're glad to help.

Frequently asked questions

Is sabudana the same as tapioca pearls?

Yes. Sabudana is the Hindi name for sago, and both are starchy pearls made from tapioca (cassava) root. A recipe that lists "sago" or "tapioca pearls" is asking for the same thing you'll find labeled sabudana.

How long do you soak sabudana?

Soak medium sabudana pearls for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight, in water that sits about a finger's width above the pearls. It's ready when a pearl squashes easily with no hard center. Drain any leftover water before cooking.

Is sabudana gluten-free?

Yes. Sabudana is pure tapioca starch with no wheat, so it's naturally gluten-free — one reason it's popular both for fasting and for gluten-free cooking.

How much does sabudana cost in Los Angeles?

At Anoras Cash N Carry, a 200 g pouch runs about $2.20, a 400 g bag about $3.85, and a 2 lb bag from about $5.50, depending on the brand.

Can I get sabudana delivered in Los Angeles?

Yes. We deliver within about 10 miles of our Fairfax store between 10 AM and 8 PM, with a $35.97 minimum order, a $7.98 fee, and free delivery over $99.