One of the best things about living in Manila is the wide range of cuisines available at your fingertips. There’s nothing more comforting than the knowledge that your favorite flavors are just a quick walk or ride away. Here are a few groceries and specialty stores worth checking out, whether you’re an expat on the hunt for comfort food or a local looking to try new flavors.
1. Wang Mart
A Korean grocery with branches all over the metro, Wang Mart carries all the good stuff like kimchi, ramyun packets, spicy chips, soya drinks, and soju. Craving a home-cooked Korean meal? Spices and seasonings such as gochujang or red chili paste, soy sauce, and rice powder are available here, too. For a sweet finish, don’t forget to grab some melon-flavored ice pops or fish-shaped red bean ice cream sandwiches.
Wang Mart is located at 17 Holy Spirit Drive, Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City. Photos courtesy of Wang Mart’s Facebook page.
2. Assad Mini Mart
Assad Mini Mart is a treasure trove of Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern food and beverages. You can find everything from lentils and nuts to dried herbs and spices to noodles and meat substitutes. Their namkeen game is also quite strong as they have a wide variety of savory, ready-to-eat snacks, which go well with their fruit juice selection. Aside from food and beverages, Assad also offers incense, skincare products, and henna and herbal dyes.
Assad Mini Mart is located at 31 Timog Ave., Diliman, Quezon City. Photos courtesy of Assad’s official website.
3. Santis Delicatessen
Planning to host a wine and cheese party? Santis Delicatessen is your go-to for deli meat, cheeses, and wines. Their shelves carry quality goods from countries such as Australia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, New Zealand, and South Africa. They have a wide range of pastries, grains, pasta, crackers, and preserves, so you can host as many themed dinners as your taste buds desire. A bonus: Santis offers all sorts of equipment perfect for your kitchen adventures.
Santis Delicatessen is located at 66 TOMA Bldg., Timog Ave., Quezon City. Photo courtesy of their official Facebook page.
4. Rustan’s Supermarket
Can’t find certain items at the supermarket? Consider Rustan’s a step above your average grocery. Think Aussie lamb chops, US Angus rib eye, and Wagyu beef cubes. Think Indonesian bread, Greek condiments, and Spanish fizzy drinks. Think international food festivals. Take the time to explore every aisle and you’ll find two-for-one promos and seasonal discounts. Most Rustan’s branches have a patisserie and cooked food section, too, so it’s easy to grab a quick bite before doing your groceries.
Rustan’s Supermarket has Quezon City branches in Grand Palazzo, Eastwood City; Gateway Mall, Cubao; 333 Katipunan Ave., Brgy. Loyola Heights; Tomas Morato St. cor. Scout Madrinan St. and Century City Mall in Makati. Photos courtesy of Rustan’s Facebook page.
5. S&R Membership Shopping
First things first: You’ll need to apply for a membership card to enter this wonderland of a grocery. It’s worth every penny, though, as this is where you can most likely buy in bulk all the hard-to-find items from your hometown, wherever it may be. This season, the focus is on Japanese cuisine, so you’ll find items such as traditional sake, light horoyoi, and ready-to-eat sushi front and center. Pro tip: Hold your hoarding and wait for sale announcements to get even better deals.
S&R Membership Shopping is located at 30 Congressional Ave., Ramon Magsaysay, Bago Bantay, Quezon City. Photos courtesy of their official Facebook page.
These groceries and specialty stores not only satisfy your cravings but are also conveniently located near Commonwealth by Century in Quezon City. The hyper-amenitized condo is a quick walk from the upcoming MRT Line 7, specifically the Don Antonio station. You can easily go around the metro from there, making Commonwealth by Century truly #condogoals.
Pro tip: Fast track your #condogoals by taking advantage of the MIN2.5 campaign, which allows you to move in now for a minimum 2.5% down payment. For more hyper-amenitized real estate properties in the Philippines, check out Century Properties.
