Ethnic supermarkets are a world of their own filled with interesting and new smells of stuff with hard-to-pronounce names, of mouthwatering treats and snacks from around the world, and of people you wouldn’t meet otherwise.
If you are planning your first trip to an ethnic supermarket, here are some tips to help you navigate the aisles like a pro very soon.
Expect Different Smells
Probably the biggest shock to your senses is none other than the smell that permeates most ethnic supermarkets once you step inside. Fishy smells mixed with animal parts displayed in the open and vinegar from pickled items is a common scenario here.
In most ethnic cultures, displays of freshness are among the most important aspects of buying food. this is why seafood like crabs, clams, and lobsters are often displayed together with whole bodies of animals to assure customers that everything is fresh and prepared right before their eyes.
Expect Talking to Strangers
It doesn’t matter if you are an extrovert or introvert because it can still be awkward to approach someone whose language is probably different from yours and inquire about something. But shopping at ethnic supermarkets is a reminder for everyone that despite language barriers, people are here for one reason, and that is because they enjoy ethnic foods, and they want to cook or prepare them.
Prepare a Shopping List
Preparing a shopping list and having it with you is a smart thing regardless of where you shop, and ethnic supermarkets are no exception. Start by choosing a specific dish that needs ingredients that can only be found in an ethnic supermarket.
Unlike standard grocery stores, some ethnic supermarkets have no aisle signs that indicate the types of items in the aisle. Scan things slowly while going along. You can also save some pictures on your phone to serve as a reference to know what to search for.
Forget About Your Previous Expectations
For most ethnic supermarkets, discounts or coupons don’t exist most of the time. Seldom, if ever, are there items on sale, but prices at these shops are typically lower than the smaller curated ethnic aisles at most standard grocery stores.
Greetings at the door don’t define customer service, nor are there legions of sales associates that roam the floor asking how they can help. The store is likely to prioritize routinely fresh items and consistently stocked shelves without huge fluctuations in prices to show their care for shoppers.
Many ethnic supermarkets also show customer appreciation by changing displays and products to showcase culturally important events taking place in the community. Having an open mind and checking some of these once-a-year displays is an amazing chance to widen your horizons.
And when in doubt, just ask questions, and be ready to be surprised by the wonderful world of ethnic cuisine that you have just entered.
If braving the ethnic supermarkets isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry because Bakkal – Ethnic Supermarket Delivery App will help simplify your shopping experience.
