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Treats & hidden gems from Cork's ethnic food shops

Pen Rua

Inspired by Owldshtok's thread in the Galway forum, I thought a thread to share hidden gems & interesting food in Cork's ethnic food shops might be a nice idea (and also a way to support small businesses in Cork?).

Wondered if anyone here want to share some ideas?

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igCorcaigh

I got some creamy (white) spinach dip from Mr. Bells, the brand is Tostitos.

Salty and oniony flavoured, this is really nice as a dip. It's €5.50 a jar. I might try it to make tuna salad.

Also some more of the corn tacos from there, I am addicted to those. €4.50 for a big pack. Dry fry them on a cast iron skillet or pan. No oil needed.

JackieChang

LapsypaCork wrote: »

Spicetown in Bishopstown for Indian sauces and spices. They also do amazing frozen naan bread at a fraction of what you would pay in Irish supermarket and taste just like you would have in a restaurant.

I started buying these after reading this post. Thanks for the tip.

Absolutely delish. They have brought my home made kebab meat platthers to another level. Much better than that dry crumbly shyte in the supermarkets.

the beer revolu

igCorcaigh wrote: »

Also some more of the corn tacos from there, I am addicted to those. €4.50 for a big pack. Dry fry them on a cast iron skillet or pan. No oil needed.

Tried that the first time but found them a bit hard.
Subsequently, I steamed them and found that I preferred them.

igCorcaigh

Mr. Bells are selling chicken salt, that Australian delicacy.

Anyone tried it?

https://twitter.com/MrBellsCork/status/1390973358360219648?s=19

m*pp*t

LapsypaCork wrote: »

Polonez by the back of Woodies is brilliant, they have a fantastic meat counter (always busy) and a great range of chilled and frozen food, very clean and reasonably priced, it’s my favourite of all the Polish/Eastern European food stores. I bake a lot and find they have a wide range such as fresh yeast, spices etc at a much cheaper price than the Irish shops.
Also, I 2nd Spicetown in Bishopstown for Indian sauces and spices. They also do amazing frozen naan bread at a fraction of what you would pay in Irish supermarket and taste just like you would have in a restaurant.

Just wondering - there's a selection of different frozen naans in Spicetown. Any particular version / brand you'd recommend?

LapsypaCork

Hi, the last brand of naan I got were Haldiram but I’ve tried a few other brands and they were all just as nice as each other.

m*pp*t

LapsypaCork wrote: »

Hi, the last brand of naan I got were Haldiram but I’ve tried a few other brands and they were all just as nice as each other.

Great stuff, thanks! I picked a random packet yesterday so we'll see how they go.

Harika

m*pp*t wrote: »

Great stuff, thanks! I picked a random packet yesterday so we'll see how they go.

Tried them after the recommendation here and was not disappointed

rorrissey

You have to try Mr Bell's all purpose bagel seasoning. It's absolutely unreal on avocado toast, or on top of cream cheese on bread. Amazing!

notAMember

Just wondering, shop aficionados, does anyone know anywhere in Cork that stocks Portuguese food?

I am looking for the spiced sardine pate that you get on holiday in Portugal with drinks.

Used to get this from amazon, but it doesn't deliver here anymore after Brexit.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manna-Pate-Sardina-Sardin-Paste/dp/B082H4C8RY/ref=asc_df_B082H4C8RY/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463113244719&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4896612767311867062&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007835&hvtargid=pla-920916504430&psc=1

I did get a small tin of something really like it on the Olive stand ages ago, a posher brand maybe, but they don't stock it very often.

There's a portugese shop in dublin that have it too, but it's 10 euro shipping

igCorcaigh

Wasn't there a Portuguese food shop on MacCurtain Street? Is it still there?

(you have got me going with the idea of sardine pate! I have never come across it, but it sounds delicious. This recipe looks good https://irenamacri.com/recipes/sardine-pate/)

igCorcaigh

Is it possible to get it delivered to a UK address via AddressPal (An Post)?

notAMember wrote: »

Used to get this from amazon, but it doesn't deliver here anymore after Brexit.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manna-Pate-Sardina-Sardin-Paste/dp/B082H4C8RY/ref=asc_df_B082H4C8RY/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463113244719&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4896612767311867062&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007835&hvtargid=pla-920916504430&psc=1

notAMember

Thanks! Might try to make it at home.
The original has a little spice in them , not sure what it is, but it's definitely not mayo. It's everywhere in portugal.

More like this maybe
https://tortillafortea.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/portuguese-sardine-pate/comment-page-1/

Shipping food via addresspal isn't a runner I think, plus I'd get caught for customs on top. Just too awkward.

What was the name of the shop on mccurtin street do you remember?

igCorcaigh

notAMember wrote: »

What was the name of the shop on mccurtin street do you remember?

I can't remember I'm afraid

I had a quick look on Google Maps, but I can't find it there either.

notAMember wrote: »

The original has a little spice in them , not sure what it is, but it's definitely not mayo. It's everywhere in portugal.

This is a different variety, but from the same brand, there is mustard in there:

Sardine (40%), mackerel (20%), vegetable oil (sunflower), water, tomato concentrate, soy protein, Mustard condiment (water, vinegar, sugar, salt, modified corn starch, mustard, stabilizers [carob seed flour and guar gum] and spices), spices and salt.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mann%C3%A1-Tinned-Sardine-P%C3%A2t%C3%A9-Portugal/dp/B003TRU4AC

Unfortunately "spices" could mean anything!

I like the idea of making it at home, with sundried tomatoes, and any spices you like.

On a side note, you should be able to get anchovy paste in Mr. Bells (or at least I used to get it there).
It's quite salty, but lovely spread thinly on toast.

the beer revolu

Shop on Mc Curtain Street was called O Português I think. I'm not sure it's still open, though.
There's a Brazilian shop on Cogburg Street - perhaps they have something similar?

Thephantomsmask

There is a Portuguese shop in Fermoy, my friends go there.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hbbz7wKYi2bTWNXW6

notAMember

Thephantomsmask wrote: »

There is a Portuguese shop in Fermoy, my friends go there.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hbbz7wKYi2bTWNXW6

Cool Thanks! I'll check it out next time I'm in North Cork.

I had a stab at it myself after a rummage around in the supermarket

I found these
https://www.shinesseafood.ie/product/shines-wild-sardines-in-tomato-sauce-118g/

and blended that up with lemon juice, salt and olive oil.

Pretty successful I think! Spread on crostini it was very nice in the garden with drinks. Only based on the memory of tasting it on holidays loooong ago.

Thephantomsmask

They have a website it seems, all in Portuguese but it might save a trip! https://welcomeshopportugal.com/

notAMember

yes, found the product I'm looking for, but shipping has a min shop of 65 euro.
https://welcomeshopportugal.com/produto/pate-de-sardinha-solo-natural/

igCorcaigh

Torres potato crisps.

These are delicious. Light and crispy, cooked in quality extra virgin olive oil.

From Quay Co-op.

At €1.33, I think they must have been accidentally underpriced!

Sonrisa

Got the naan breads from spicetown at the weekend, delicious!

igCorcaigh

Sonrisa wrote: »

Got the naan breads from spicetown at the weekend, delicious!

What is the brand please?

Knifey Spoony

igCorcaigh wrote: »

What is the brand please?

I picked up the Haldiram brand there the last time I was out there. I think there were other brands there at the time, but I went with what was recommended in this thread a few pages back. They were lovely. Need to re-stock now though.

igCorcaigh

This satay sauce from Mr Bells is delicious. You get two pouches of dried mix. One for the marinade and one for the dipping sauce. Just need coconut milk and protein of your choice.

igCorcaigh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117535731#Comment_117535731

I love Haldiram's stuff. Haven't tried the naans yet, but found a good selection of their products in Asian Foods on North Main Street. Delicious paratha and ready made (but salty) vegetarian curries.

Thanks for the tip!

Nigel Fairservice

I was in Super Valu in Grange this evening and they had loads of Mr. Bells spices there. I hadn't noticed them in my local Super Valu up the country, might just be the Ryan's Super Valu outlets. Took the opportunity to stock up!

Harika

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117825786#Comment_117825786

Glanmire had this since a while.

Nigel Fairservice

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117826903#Comment_117826903

I think the Grange, Glanmire and Togher Super Valu outlets all have the same owner, or at least they did when I worked in the Grange one years ago.

igCorcaigh

The riceberry is back in Mr Bell's. @the beer revolu

I picked up some Jimmy's satay sauce too, looking forward to trying that.

https://researchoutreach.org/articles/riceberry-rice-thailands-antioxidant-packed-nutraceutical-super-food/

the beer revolu

Lol, my wife came home with a Kg of it from Jia Jia yesterday.

Different brand, though.