One of the biggest challenges for Asians living in Europe is finding familiar food from home. Rice, lentils, spices, hilsa fish, jackfruit, karela, naga chilli, dried shrimp — European supermarkets simply do not stock these ingredients. But in every major European city, there are Asian grocery shops serving our community. This guide will help you find them.

WHY ASIAN GROCERY SHOPS MATTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Food is deeply connected to our identity and wellbeing. Eating familiar food from home is not just about taste — it reduces homesickness, maintains cultural traditions, saves money (cooking at home is always cheaper than eating out), and allows families to maintain their dietary requirements including halal meat.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Lisbon has a growing South Asian community and several Asian grocery shops. The main areas to look are Martim Moniz and Mouraria, which have become the multicultural heart of Lisbon. Here you can find shops selling Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani products including spices, rice, lentils, and dried fish.

The Mouraria market area has several shops run by Bangladeshi and South Asian shopkeepers who stock products brought directly from Bangladesh and India. You can often find Pran products, BD Foods items, and popular Bangladeshi spices here.

PARIS, FRANCE

Paris has one of the largest South Asian communities in Europe. The main area for Asian groceries is La Chapelle and Passage Brady, known as the "Passage de l'Inde" — an entire covered street dedicated to South Asian food shops, spice merchants, and Indian restaurants.

For Bangladeshi products specifically, areas around Saint-Denis and La Courneuve have shops run by the large Bangladeshi community in Paris.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

London has the most developed South Asian grocery market in Europe. Brick Lane in East London, Southall in West London, Green Street in Newham, and Wembley are all famous for their South Asian grocery shops, supermarkets, and restaurants.

Whitechapel and Brick Lane are particularly known for Bangladeshi shops selling fresh fish flown in from Bangladesh, including hilsa, rui, and catfish.

WARSAW AND LODZ, POLAND

Poland has a rapidly growing Bangladeshi community, especially in Warsaw and Lodz. Several Asian grocery shops have opened in recent years stocking products from Bangladesh and India. Look for shops in the city centre areas and around large markets.

HAMBURG AND BERLIN, GERMANY

Germany's South Asian community is concentrated in Hamburg (particularly around the Steindamm area known as the "Asia Mile") and Berlin. Here you can find Indian and Pakistani grocery shops stocking a wide variety of South Asian products.

BARCELONA AND MADRID, SPAIN

Spain's South Asian community is smaller but growing. In Barcelona, the El Raval neighbourhood has several South Asian and Pakistani-run grocery shops. In Madrid, the Lavapiés district is known for its multicultural food shops.

TIPS FOR FINDING ASIAN SHOPS IN YOUR CITY

If you cannot find an Asian grocery shop in your area, try these approaches:

Ask in community Facebook or WhatsApp groups — local residents always know where to shop.

Check BDGOL.COM — we list Asian grocery shops, Halal butchers, and food suppliers across Europe. If your favourite shop is not listed yet, ask them to register for free.

Visit markets on weekends — many Asian sellers operate at weekend markets even in smaller cities.

Order online — several European websites now deliver South Asian products. Shipping can be expensive but it is better than going without your essential ingredients.

HALAL MEAT — FINDING TRUSTED SOURCES

For Muslim families, finding certified halal meat is essential. In larger European cities, there are usually dedicated halal butchers run by Bangladeshi, Pakistani, or Moroccan communities. Ask your local mosque for recommendations or check BDGOL.COM for verified halal butchers in your area.

Are you an Asian grocery shop owner in Europe? List your business for free on BDGOL.COM and help your community find you. Our directory serves Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, and other Asian communities across Portugal, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and more.

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