Stores That Matter

When living in Riyadh, answers to our kitchen questions and solutions to our ingredient dilemma are not that easy to find. We need to spend time scouring the stores and hypermarkets to find what we are looking for or enter forums and Facebook groups to ask others. While those tactics can yield results, sometimes we just want to do away with the hassle and go on living our lives without it. Unbeknownst to us, many of these items actually exist in Riyadh! Here’s a list of specialty stores that carry what you might be looking for.

Why spend your hard-earned cash on expensive Japanese restaurants when you can re-create sushi and maki at the comfort of your kitchen? Add some Korean dishes like bulgogi and kimchi and you’ll be enjoying some delicious Asian fare in a jiffy.

Must-Buy: Dried Seaweed, Tempura Bread Crumbs, Ready-To-Eat Kimchi, Bulgogi Marinade Sauce, and Korean Chili Oil

7829 Al Muarrakh Ibn

Bishr St., Ar Rabwah,

Riyadh

T: +966-500963122

Most grocery stores in neighborhoods where many Filipino expatriates live carry brands that are imported from the Philippines. These various mixes and sauces will help you re-create well-loved Filipino and Chinese dishes at home. For example, the favorite sweet, salty adobo and the for-long-life pancit (rice noodles with vegetable toppings and chicken/shrimp). Don’t forget to try their rice cakes and snacks too.

Must-Buy: Canton or Bihon Noodles, Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce, Vinegar, Spice Mixes

Abi Bakr Alrazi Street, Al

Suleimania, Riyadh

(near RKH/Military  Hospital)

Al Amal, Al Batha, Riyadh

Al Murabba, Olaya,

Khurais Road, Riyadh

If you come from a country that sells their fruits and vegetables in an open air market, then head on over to Riyadh’s farmers’ markets. This huge market is divided into different sections and while the meat and fish sections are interesting, it’s the fruit and veggie section that is worth visiting. Prices are lower and negotiable. They’re freshly delivered every day by the farmers who grow them in farms in and around RIyadh. You can also score dates at the nearby date market.

6958 Al Murram, Al Muruj, Riyadh

7551 Eastern Ring Branch Road, Ar Rawabi, Riyadh

Al Hasan Ibn Ali, Ar Rawdah, Riyadh

There are so many kinds of diets and healthy lifestyle programs that are introduced over the years. Some of them require organic ingredients that can only be found in specialty stores. Riyadh has a few of them. Thankfully, the huge hypermarkets have also created sections that carry organic goods, whole foods, dietary alternatives, nutritional supplements, gluten-free food, etc.

King Abdulaziz Road, Al Yasmin, Riyadh

T: +966-11-4652122

Prince Mashal Ibn Abdulaziz, Irqah, Riyadh (less than 10 minutes from the DQ) Arcadia Plaza, cor. of Prince Turki Road, Makkah Al Mukarramah Highway, Riyadh,

King Fahad Road, Al Olaya, Riyadh

Dabab Street cor. Thalateen Street, Al Suleimania, Riyadh

 (various branches)

Prince Mashal Ibn Abdulaziz, Irqah, Riyadh (less than 10 minutes from the DQ)

Panorama Mall, Takhasussi Street, Riyadh

Hayat Mall, King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh (various branches)

We know, we are sometimes lazy to prepare meats for barbecue especially when there are other items to prepare for this weekend’s camping trip or get-together. We need shish tawouk, burger patties, sausages, steaks, and kofta that can go from the store to the grill easily. Forsan Groceria delivers just that with bread that complements the meat too! No need to shop for hamburger and hotdog buns separately. They have it all here. For imported gourmet meat that’s carefully-selected, meticulously prepared and marinated, try Chopped. It promises a carnivore experience like never before with their mouthwatering choices.

Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Road, Al Suleimania, Riyadh

6961 Al Imam Ash Shafii, Al Manar,  Riyadh

Uthman Ibn Affan Branch Road, Al  Falah, Riyadh

www.forsangroceria.com

King Abdulaziz Branch Road, Al Wurud, Riyadh

Riyadh has seen the rise of many coffee roasters. These shops and cafes are serious with their coffee. Many shops ethically-source the finest coffee beans, roast them with great skill and care, and serve the coffee while imparting knowledge to their customers. They also improve the lives of those who grow and tend their coffee all at the same time. Bring this high quality coffee into the confines of your homes and enjoy!

Abi Bakr As Siddiq  Road, Exit 5, Riyadh

Elixir Bunn Coffee Roasters

7144 Salim Ibn Maqil,  An Nakhil, Riyadh

King Abdul Aziz Branch Road, As Sahafah,   Riyadh