How come they don't sell Tempeh in any Asian store around my neighborhood?

[Guest guest]

I must have went into 10 Asian markets the other day. I banged up my pinky toe

so I'm walking around with a splint. I can't walk the 25 blocks to Shoprite, so

after breakfast (because I pass ALL THESE LOVELY ASIAN MARKETS), while I was

purchasing my greens I asked the people who work there " Do you sell Tempeh? "

Now most of them don't speak english but if I asked 'Where is the Bok Choy? " ,

they would point me in the direction of the Bok Choy.

But when I ask 'Do you sell Tempeh? " they look at me and I try and pronounce it

carefully and they say " TEM PAY??? " no no no

So is there a chinese pronunciation for Tempay?

I went to every single asian market, and asked EVERYBODY and no one knew what I

was speaking about.

I walked over to where they sell the Tofu and the Duck eggs and pickled eggs and

I said " you sell Tofu, do you sell Tempeh "

No one knew what I'm talking about.

How come?

Melody