I am sure I am a year behind everyone else who lives in the Powai area, but yesterday, I discovered the Waitrose aisle at Hypercity supermarket. Yay! Apparently this heavenly partnership was struck up in 2006 when Waitrose became the first British supermarket to have (some sort of) a presence in India. It may well be a small presence - in fact a very small presence - being a few racks of dry foods, sauces, beauty and cleaning products (mostly) from the 'good value' Essentials range. Nevertheless, it was a most welcome sight to see such a beloved food label from home.
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| The 'Internation Foods' area of Hypercity - the Waitrose outpost |
Actually, Hypercity was a bit of a revelation in itself. It is the first truly western-style supermarket I have seen here in India (other than the relatively diminutive Nature's Basket with its poor till management and over-priced foreign foods). Hypercity has proper fruit and veg aisles - where you can even get cut, washed and packaged fruit and veg; a bakery with different types of loaves, burger baps, buns and sponge cakes; several aisles full of tinned and bottled goods; areas selling kitchenware - pots and pans, crockery, cutlery and plastic or steel containers; clothing; beauty and baby products; pet and gardening supplies; a room dedicated to alcohol including fancy French and Italian wines (very pricey!); and of course your usual Indian products - where, to name but a few, you can pick up huge sacks of rice and dhal, a hundred varieties of pickles, ready made dosa and idli mixes. Size-wise, Hypercity is on a par with a Sainsburys Superstore or Tesco Extra.
Sadly, there is no fresh meat counter to be found at this supermarket [Correction! According to one of the comments below, there is a meat room next to the alcohol room!] So no ham, bacon or pork pies for BombayJules. But there is a cheese counter selling expensive Stiltons, Bries and Cheddars (which of course we purchased in desperation.)
For other British expats out there, it's a bit of a trek to Hypercity in Malad West (one of only two Hypercity branches in Mumbai) - but it's worth it! And now I have a little piece of England in my kitchen cupboards....
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| Cleaning products we don't need - more ham please Waitrose! |
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| Nice for the guest bathroom I suppose |
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| Yay, Garlic Mayo! |
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Actually - British flour is much better for making cakes or for making sauces.
I have been known to bring this back in my suitcase... |
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| Imported ingredients like pasta can be very expensive in India - this lot is still pricier than back home but cheaper than Nature's Basket - so we bought in bulk. |
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| Tinned goods such as tomatoes, sweetcorn and children's spaghetti can also be very expensive - if you can find them. But of course everyone in India buys these things fresh before cooking them! |
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| However, in my opinion, proper Italian cooking does need tinned plum tomatoes. |
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| Rack with Waitrose cereals |
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| Rack with baby cleansers, tissues, foil and cling film and sandwich wraps. We really don't need these items Waitrose/Hypercity...more pork pies please! |
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| Hypercity's freshly cut fruit and veg. |
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| A room devoted to alcohol - the wines of course are very expensive - £20 for a bottle of average French or Italian wine. |
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| Hypercity's baby goods |
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| Proper tills with proper scanner and conveyor belt!! (Read it and weep Nature's Basket!) |
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| And someone to help pack! |
Address: Next to Inorbit Mall, Malad Link Road, Malad (West) Mumbai 400 064
Toll Free Number: 1800-209-7172 & 1800-102-0468
Store Timings: Weekdays: 10.00 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
There is also another Hypercity at Vashi near Navi Mumbai.
Address: GR Floor, Inorbit Mall, Plot No. 39/1, Sector - 30/A, Vashi Navi, Mumbai 400 703
Toll Free Number: 1800-209-7172 & 1800-102-0468
Store Timings: Weekdays: 11.00 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.
www.hypercityindia.com
