If you've read The Mistress of Spice by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, you will appreciate how…read morepowerful and sensuous some spices are. They have the ability to cure some ailments, act as a beauty tool and most importantly arouse the flavour and taste in a beautifully prepared Indian cuisine. When friends come to me for Indian recipes ( I should charge them by the hour!), I always send them to the Spice Centre to top up their spice racks or sample a new recipe. Like the orange lentils which lends a creamy texture to your dhal dish, or the green lentils which offers an healthy alternative to other carbs infused dhal. From fennel, fenugreek, cardamom, cumin to the expensive saffron, they carry a wide variety of spices fit for a Maharajah's (King) kitchen. You'll find plenty of meat curry powder packets here. My favourite Baba's is widely stocked here and is one of the finest curry powders ever. From meat, seafood and kurma curry powder, there is something for everyone. No Indian dish is good without curry leaves, and I'm happy to report that a huge bunch of curry leaves is available for purchase at a mere $1. Indian savouries, sweets and desserts are also sold here, so it might be worth checking them out for a different menu variety. Bollywood fans will appreciate the huge volume of DVD's here, showcassing some of Bollywood's finest stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol et al. When I want some Bhangra fever, I head out here and rent a couple to amuse me during the weekend. For those who like natural products, try the henna as an alternative to your normal boxed hair dye or a bottle of coconut oil for thick, soft and bouncy hair. The owner is friendly and is absolutely helpful in recommending some of the best spices to go with your curries. Drop in and say namaste!

There are plenty of Asian Supermarkets in and around the city, selling everything from aged (and…read morereally smelly) tofu to deep fried and dried Anchovies (The hairy snack!). One that stands out a little from the local competition is the Time Supermarket on Grote. Yes they stock all of the regular offenders (as regular as they can be anyways), but the big extra is LIVE fishies and other Oceanic tasty future tid-bits. The have a long wall of fish tanks that house live cray, crabs, various swimmy things and the odd pearl producer. Although I am a relatevely heartless chef (and individual in general) I haven't been able to bring myself to buying any of that particular produce as of yet, but as I write I am feeling more and more blood thirsty.....STOP, Hammer Time!

Time Supermarket is an enormous Asian grocery store lining Grote St. There's a lot to choose from…read morein here, beginning with all of your Asian grocery usuals such as sauces, snacks, drinks, rice, spice mixes and the like. As Scott pointed out, what's interesting about Time Supermarket is the fact that they stock live seafood. There aren't too many places that do this; even fishmongers sell you seafood that's already dead! It simply doesn't get any fresher than this! But I, like Scott, don't know if I could handle killing my own food. Even the thought of dropping a crab into a boiling pot of water makes me sad. In addition, you can buy lots of things in bulk here, such as large sacks of rice. There's plenty on offer in here - it's much like any other Asian grocer, just upscaled.

This is an East European Delicatessen, quite special in its own way. You can also get things like…read moreDVDs here for $1 per week rental from their extensive library and gift items as well as beautiful Icon Cards from Russia, so it is more than a food store. Some of the favoured dessert wines and liquors from Eastern Europe are to be found along with most of the traditional items you'd want in the kitchen. I always enjoy having a look around in the store and am enamoured with their relaxed attitude to life the universe and everything. Music Cd's, books, magazines and if you crave it, company of other Eastern Europeans... if you are a traveller you can immediately network into the local scene through this place. You can pick up sweets, desserts and good advice on how to cook with many of the spices and traditions of the Eastern block as well.

Mozaika is a cute little shop offering a verity of primarily East-European products. Besides food…read morethey offer CD/DVD's, books, nesting dolls and souvenirs. However, it's the food that brings me here because if you're after Russian sauerkraut for your homemade Russian beetroot salad you'll find it here. If your craving for Pelimene and you believe that tortellini aren't 'the real think' you'll be happy to find delicious authentic homemade Pelimene here. If you love super sweet and/or dark bitter confects & chocolates you'll find them here. And of course Vodka;) The staff was always friendly and happy to explain the products. This shop is the only one of its kind in Adelaide specialising on primarily Russian goods. This shop is covering all my Russian deli and service needs and it being unique in SA I'm confidently giving this folks a 5rating!

Little Tokyo is another of my home-away-from-homes. My Ninja-Samurai Soul soars evertime I walk…read moreunder the welcome banner and am instantly drawn to the rear of the shop, where the frozen Takoyaki Balls and Saki are kept. Just on a side track briefly, the frozen Takoyaki balls aren't too bad, but no where near as wicked as the freshly cooked balls of goo so hot it will mess your mouth up for hours! The relevance of this side note is that I also buy all of the raw ingredients to make my own from Little Tokyo! #The most important is the Dried Bonito Flakes......little wriggly saltiness! Anywho, Little Tokyo has a small selection of a lot of things, giving the shopper a real slice of Japan and a little taste of home for others. If you are a little bit of a Samurai or a Ninja (I am the only one who is both) then you will love this place as much as I.

Once you've gotten over the geographical anomaly of having a Little Tokyo in a Chinatown (Tokyo…read morebelonging, of course, to Japan), you can enjoy this little store of Japanese imports. Little Tokyo is a store of the utmost quaintness. It's tiny and decorated with oriental cloths and banners, all of which are available for purchase. It stocks teapots and teacups, noodles, trinkets, sweets and even imported beer. For me, though, the real treasure is in the movie selection. There's a well-bodied collection of the movies of those wonderful animated film creators named Studio Ghibli, and though you can find their movies anywhere, it's nice to have them all here in one place. Then there's the wealth of films you've likely never heard of before, each one looking more ridiculous and, consequently, more fascinating than the last. The teapots and teacups are of very good quality, and priced appropriately. If you're in search of Japanese chinaware (geddit!?), there's a very able assortment here. I've never tried any of the alcohol (though I plan to), but the noodles are great and the treats work a treat.

Unlike the continuing trend of the big two to create a sterile and uninspiring grocery shop some of…read morethe Foodlands in SA are taking a different tack and are giving you a gourmet experience whilst you collect the weeks supplies. This Foodland is one of three that are embracing organic produce, wider range of locally sourced produce and less demanding impulse buys. I will generally source most of my shopping from farmers markets and local butchers but for my main shop for everything I will come here to get all those other daily needs. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to support a local business but I do have a tendency to pat myself on the back regularly :)

Food shopping is not high up on everyone's list of fun things to do (it's on mine, but them I'm a…read morelittle bit quirky). So, to hear so many people rave about Foodland means they must be doing something right. Friends that live in Norwood think they have the best Foodland. Same with those living in Mitcham. I'm a huge fan of my local at Frewville and this is my review, so I can say wholeheartedly, I think Frewville tops them all! I've been shopping here for six years and drop in two to three times a week. It had a major renovation in 2011 which has turned it from a daggy site with a great selection of produce, to a sensational, modern site with an array of quality products and a strong focus on local producers. Foodland are big supporters of South Australian products and offer a great range. The foodies I know will often shop here if they can't make it to Grote Street (or can't face the parking hassles) and I know why. I've picked up stuff here that I've never seen in a Woollies or Coles, such as Persian fairy floss or yiros meat in the freezer section. There's even an entire corner at the entrance of the store dedicated to fine foods. The small goods and cheeses available rival the Central Markets (big call, I know, but I stand by it) and there is a dedicated organic fruit and vege stand at the entrance. The staff always have a great attitude and are of all ages and give the impression they genuinely enjoy their job. With the renovation they've introduced a mini cafe at the entrance that offers espresso coffee, lunch items (rolls, wraps etc) and biscuits and cakes. There are a few tables near the checkouts and despite their odd position, there is almost always someone sitting at one of them sipping a coffee or having a bite to eat as I leave. On the odd occasion when a special is too good to forgo, I'll slip over to the nearby Woollies at Arkaba, but generally, you'll find me here, supporting a local company who supports local small business.

Once upon a time I would never dream of going into a discount super market, oh what I was missing!…read moreRite Price is a wonderful place, especially if you don't believe what the used by date says! There are many products that are in date and you can really get a great bargain, and then there are the Eastern European Imported products that are as entertaining as finding a tin in your pantry without a label and daring yourself into eating whatever the contents may be! I particularly like the Prospect Venue as I have found the staff there particularly friendly and always keen for a brief chin wag while scanning your goods....not too much of a chat, just enough to pass the check out time. No one likes a 'Chatty Cathy'! P.S. If you have a sweet tooth like myself you save a bundle if you stock up rather than going to traditional sources!

So here's a little insight into my background: I grew up in a family who owned a supermarket…read moremeaning that anytime that something was about to go out of date....or actually DID, it would end up on our dinner table - and here's the thing...I never got sick and it always tasted great (which could have something to do with my mum being some what of a master chef...) Anyhow, my point is that the 'use by' or 'best before' is just a date for legal purposes (for many but not all products)...there is a bit of flexibility here. Those of you unfamiliar with the Rite Price chain may wonder why I am bringing this up, so here's the deal: Rite Price is a discount supermarket. Not all, but most of there wares are on the shelves because they are near this use-by or past their best before and are therefore severely discounted. So here's a depressing fact - 20% of all our groceries go to waste...and I recall that when we had the supermarket, a lot of stuff ended up in the bin. It's such a shame to straight out waste food - but you can prevent food being wasted by supermarkets AND save yourself a BUNCH of dolla dolla by having a look at Rite Price! Now they don't have EVERYTHING but if you head here first, you can definitely plan around what you can find and as the previous reviewer wrote, yes there are always plenty of cheap treats for the sweet tooth. Recent bargains - HUGE wheels of cheese - brie, blue and all the fancy ones, still in date for a few days for only $4.50. Perfect for the weekend picnic, yes? Added bonus - they are now open til 7pm on Thursdays for all those who work all day long! - enjoy the cheap life!

Straight out of the oven bread has it own place in my heart. Fresh pides can take 10-12 mins to…read morearrive, but the wait is worth it. Owner is so courteous and a nice gentleman. Easy to pocket as well. Little separate from the food court which is a good thing. A must try.

Happy Mart is one of my favourite Asian grocery stores in Adelaide. It stocks predominantly Korean…read moreproducts, but some Japanese and Chinese staple items (mostly for cooking) are available. In addition to groceries, there are also cooking utensils, soaps and other miscellaneous items imported from Korea. The best thing about Happy Mart is their frozen and refrigerated goods. They have a large range of thinly sliced beef, chicken and pork (and I mean paper thin!) that can't be found at your regular supermarket or butcher. These frozen meats are perfect for Bulgolgi or Japanese hot-pot meals at home, and I can say with confidence that these meats are fresh and delicious. They also have an abundance of frozen foods such as dumplings that are also suitable for vegetarian diets. And, believe it or not, they have an entire fridge dedicated solely to kimchi! As opposed to the more substantial foods, there is also a variety of Korean cup noodles, snack foods and sweets, as well as Korean soft drinks, teas and even rice wines. Best of all, it's dirt cheap! The staff here is always friendly, and sometimes will even throw in some free goodies with your purchase. Another great reason to shop at Happy Mart!

One of my local home away from homes. Yes is a small Asian Market, but it has a number of products…read morein stock that I haven't seen at any other Asian Markets in Adelaide. The selection of noodles is good (as it is with all Asian Grocers), but where this place really stands out is the sweets/snacks and the frozen dumplings. again, not a massive selection, but some of the highest quality goods I have purchased. Often a problem with 'getting adventurous' in an Asian Supermarket, you just never know if a product is going to deliver.....pretty packaging doesn't mean great food! But I have just got gold after gold at YES. It might be that I am just really lucky (insanely good looking people like myself often are), but I think it is more a case of the owners being very selective as to what they have in stock! The Gyouza are wicked by the way!

Despite having a very small shopfront, once you get inside, the store extends quite a way back, so…read moreit's a bit like the TARDIS in that regard. The range is vast and the quality is excellent. Staff are friendly and helpful, and there is a terrific selection of herbs and spices from India, Thailand, China, Korea and Japan as well as sauces, rices, teas, snacks, sweets, and more. I bought several items on this occaision, but hands down, the best buy of the day was the six-pack of pumpkin buns with red bean paste centers. Baked in the oven for 20 minutes and they were DELICIOUS. I'll be returning for those for sure! Overall, this is a great alternative to Woollies, particularly if you're looking for more variety in your herbs, spices, oils and sauces than what the big box store has. Prices are very reasonable, and the place is stocked to the brim with goods, is light, clean and well presented. You won't be disappointed.

This Persian food shop draws my attention long times ago by its hot food mostly being meat…read moredisplayed in the cabinet, looking at the steaming hot fish, meatballs and chicken kebabs, I know it's a must try. I mean it's nice that there's a place sell Persian food more than falafel or yiros. Like other Chinese takeaway or Indian 2-3 choices curries, you get to choice 1-3 dishes from the food display cabinet. They always have this lunch special: fish and salad for $5.9, and the fish tastes better than it looks. I've been there twice and I ordered lamb shanks twice, it just looks too good and something I can't or won't bother to cook at home for myself. They always serve it with extra sauce on the rice, it's been slow-cooked and tastes so tender and soft. I choose to eat with a yellow-green fragrant rice other than steamed rice, it cost more but with more flavour, it has fennel in it which has been widely used in middle-east cuisines I think. The shop owner generously gave me extra scoop of white sauce (taste like sour cream with herbal in it) and another green sauce. The flavoured rice with lamb shank cost $11, but one dish with steamed rice is $9.5. Very good place to try Persian food, but usually cost over $10.

I'm a bit fussy about my yiros: the quality of the meat (the oilier, the better) and how much…read moregarlic sauce it contains (the more, the better!). Pars Kebab does a pretty good job of it at $8.50.