The NCR's new-age grocery shops: Ticket to exotic cooking

Gone are the days when you had to make do with cauliflower instead of broccoli while rustling up a continental meal. Vegetables like baby corn, broccoli, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms are now part of our everyday cuisine, thanks to their easy availability. Here’s a low-down on the stores across the city, one-stop shops that deal in all kinds of ingredients under the sun.

A favourite stop for expats and gourmet alike is Modern Bazar . Long before smoked salmon and Gouda cheese became common feature on Delhiites’ dinner tables, this used to be the place where you came for all kinds of dried and processed foods, imported fruits, vegetables and condiments, cheese, chocolates and bakes. Despite the steep prices, Modern Bazaar still draws foodies by the hordes.

INA Market comes a close second as far as the availability of fresh exotic ingredients is concerned. Hop into any of the shops and you are likely to find the shop-boy conversing animatedly in a foreign language with an equally excited customer. Be it an astute Korean housewife or a master chef from any of the five-star hotels in Delhi, all scout the stalls for their fill of imported fish, meat, fruits, vegetables and condiments. But if you are looking for exotic greens in reasonable rates, Sarojini Nagar Vegetable Market would be your best bet.

Till very recently, connoisseurs of Japanese cuisine in the city used to feel short-changed. Not any more. A visit to Yama Toya feels strangely surreal, makes you believe that you are in Tokyo. This store stocks authentic Japanese ingredients, such as, Miso, sweet sake, Soba and Udon noodles, in addition to importing fish for sushi.

If you are in Noida you don’t have to travel all the way to Delhi for your fair share of unusual ingredients. For, Spencer’s at the MGF City Mall now stocks a plethora of things that will help you conjure up that Italian, Chinese or Thai dish in no time.

It’s not only the supermarkets that are fancifully stored. Various independent outlets all across the city including, Le Marche and Sugar & Spice, too offer exotic ingredients and flavours.

With options galore, wow your friends with a global spread at this weekend party!