A student’s guide to Edinburgh’s international supermarkets
By Aagoon, from India, studying Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science
When I first arrived, I was excited – but after a few days of living on toast, pasta, and Tesco meal deals, the excitement wore off just a little.
That’s when I knew: it was time for a proper grocery quest. I needed real flavour, a little comfort, and a few of the familiar ingredients that make a place feel like home. What I found was not only a better way to eat, but also a more colourful way to explore Edinburgh.
1. Maqbools Supermarket – South Asian Staples
Location: Potterrow / Southside
This was my first stop, and it felt like stepping into a market back home. The shelves are stacked with all the essentials: colourful spices, lentils, frozen parathas, and familiar snacks like Parle-G biscuits and Haldiram’s namkeen. It’s cosy, busy, and wonderfully chaotic in the best way.
Why go: Super fresh produce, halal meat, helpful staff, and that unmistakable aroma of real Indian cooking the moment you walk in.
2. Krishna Foods – Everyday Indian Essentials
Location: Gorgie Road
A little smaller than Maqbools, Krishna Foods is perfect for quick grocery runs, especially if you’re craving something sweet. It’s reliable and well-stocked with oils, spices, frozen samosas, and classic Indian mithai.
Student tip: Great for budget-friendly top-ups and sweet treats when you’re on the west side of town.
3. Matthews Foods – Edinburgh’s Pan-Asian Powerhouse
Location: Leith Walk
This place is huge. Think dumplings, noodles, tofu, Thai curry pastes, Korean snacks, Japanese sauces, bubble tea kits – even rice cookers. If you love cooking or just want to recreate a dish you saw on TikTok, Matthews has your back.
Pro tip: Come with a shopping list—or prepare to get happily lost in the sauce aisle (literally).
4. Starlight Chinese Supermarket – Compact but Mighty
Location: Clerk Street
Just minutes from campus, Starlight is smaller but seriously efficient. You’ll find dumplings, sauces, spices, frozen buns, and a snack section that always has something new to try. It’s the kind of place you pop into for soy sauce and leave with a whole bag of goodies.
Bonus: A convenient post-lecture detour if you need a dinner idea fast.
5. Turkish Supermarket – A Mediterranean Treasure
Location: Leith Walk
This Turkish-run shop feels more like a family deli than a supermarket. The bakery section is full of fresh pide, flaky baklava, and lahmacun (Turkish pizza), while the shelves are lined with spices, olives, feta, and sweets you didn’t know you needed.
Why I loved it: It smells like fresh bread, tastes like Istanbul, and makes you want to invite your friends over for a meze night.
A successful grocery quest
My homesickness didn’t vanish overnight, but finding familiar flavours made a huge difference. Each of these shops helped me feel more settled, more adventurous, and a little more at home in Edinburgh.
Whether you’re craving the taste of your childhood or curious to try something totally new, these international supermarkets are more than just places to shop – they’re places to connect, explore, and, of course, eat well!
