The chinese supermarket and why I love it so...

gb57

Someone else might have said this, so sorry if I am repeating it, (I have not read all the posts). We don't have a Chinese supermarket near us that I am aware of, but Asian (as in Indian/Sri Lankan) supermarkets we do have, and they are good value - their coconut milk is not only cheaper but nicer than the stuff in Waitrose, coriander is dead cheap, and other herbs - all sorts of stuff.

I have never been able to find Basmati rice like the stuff I used to buy in the early 1970's in Asian supermarkets in North London, though. They would sell scoops from a huge sack, into a paper bag. You had to wash it loads of times as it was full of grit and small stones, but it was absolutely the best I have ever tasted. I have not been able to find anything for years that touches it for taste - even Tilda.

Gingernutmeg

gb57 wrote: »

I have never been able to find Basmati rice like the stuff I used to buy in the early 1970's in Asian supermarkets in North London, though. They would sell scoops from a huge sack, into a paper bag. You had to wash it loads of times as it was full of grit and small stones, but it was absolutely the best I have ever tasted. I have not been able to find anything for years that touches it for taste - even Tilda.

I'm lucky that I live near a couple of Turkish and Greek supermarkets, and they all seem to sell the Natco brand of rice. It's really nice rice and it cooks beautifully, and I've found it to be far nicer than the supermarket stuff (cheaper too) - it's tasty and has a good 'bite' to it. It might be worth looking out for it.

madge7

does anyone know any chinese/asian supermarkets in the essex area?

AND has anyone been to wing yip!?!

tomell

I have an asian foodmarket near me
They are the same large bags of spices and many varieties of sauces spicy and sweet.
Also lots of veg much cheaper than main supermarkets and u pick your own not prepacked.
The different chillies are a dream.
Go there and save.
the indian pickle garlic pickle in oil is to die for. bout 90p for good size jar.

zebbscat

Jack's_mummy wrote: »

I don't know if it is any good but I remember seeing one next to a soft play place in Darnall, Sheffield back in December.

Found it.

Tai Sun Oriental Food Darnall Branch
Unit 4 - 5,
Coleford Business Park,
291, Coleford Road,
Darnall Sheffield U.K
S9 5NF

:beer: Thanks thats great

zebbscat

KITTY wrote: »

Hi Zebbscat

I know of 2 in town centre near where I work so I looked them up.

K H Trading
Boston Street,Off Arley Street,Sheffield, S2 4QF
Tel: 0114 272 9888
This is near the student accomodation between Brammal Lane and MFI.

Tai Sun Oriental
17-19, Matilda St, Sheffield, S1 4QB
Tel: 0114 278 6068
Near NCP round corner from where McDonald's was at top of Moor.

Have used Tai Sun alot but not other. I pass every day and there are always loads of students shopping in there so must be cheap

HTH

:beer: Ecxellent ! I will try them both! Thanks for the time and effort!:j

geri1965_2

Funnily enough we went to our local Chinese supermarket for the first time today and we were very impressed.

All I bought was some little tins of tea and a cup that you can brew it in though.

foreversomeday

For those saying Brum is their nearest, there are some little known Thai supermarkets in the West Midlands:

https://www.theglobetrading.co.uk

Warwick (May just be their main office, but close to the Leam one!)
Cheltenham
Banbury
Leamington Spa
Northampton (There are 2 here)

thriftlady_2

Thanks to locket and mother noah for reminding me :doh: that there is indeed a Asian supermarket by Debenhams in Worcester. I walk past it most weeks:rolleyes: I'm going to check it out next time I'm in town -thanks both;)

baby_fuzz

bradhadair wrote: »

http://www.waiyeehong.com/

for anyone like me who lives in the south of the country this one is based in bristol (by IKEA if you know the area) junction 2 on the M32head towards tesco then at the tesco roundabout take the 2nd (i think) exit and wai yaa hong is just up the road on the right (if you drove into tesco you took the wrong exit).

whats better than a chinese supermarket??? A CASH AND CARRY CHINESE SUPERMARKET HEHEHE. The rice there is a little more expensive than prices i've seen quoted on here however unless it proper thai jasmine rice by the 10kg bags (which is the nicest form of rice in the world - ask any chef, plus its the sort of rice that sells on the black market in thailand as its mainly for export). And who splashed out silly money on a Ken Hom Wok (sadiedoll tut tut the not MS is it lol) when you can buy a PROPER steel one from you chinese for less than a tenner? mines a 18inch diameter steel for £9.80 - BARGIN!!!! Ok so you have to season them: put some oil in (any cheap oil is fine), wack the heat up until the oil starts smoking (best to have the window open lol) and use some kitchen towel to wipe the oil around the wok. Ideally you want the whole wok black. this gives your wok its very own non-stick coating - DO NOT WASH WITH WASHING UP LIQUID!!!!!!! - just rinse in warm water, dry immediately (being steel it will rust if left wet) and hey-presto.

Check out the steel cleavers as well, not so cheap but will last you (literally) a life-time. Bamboo steamers, nice oriental-style crockery etc.

sorry if i seem to get a bit patronising here but some people really dont know that steel rusts and that you shouldnt wash non-stick items in soap lol :o

and the chinese restaurant upstairs, Water Sky, is pretty good too! I went in this weekend and, like you, noticed that the rice was a little more expensive. They had signs everywhere saying that customers were limited to 3 bags of rice each! :eek: When I spoke to the manageress, she said that it was due to a world shortage of rice, and some customers were trying to stock pile it. Had a little look on the net, and it's not hard to see why:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7342161.stm

Anyways, back to the subject, I have always found Wai Yee Hong to be very good, both in-store and by mail order. It definitiely has a lot more variety and a lot more of the obscure things. It's only a shame that they don't sell any of their frozen goods, as they have a HUGE freezer section!