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Welcome to Aussie & NZ Mumsnetters - discuss all aspects of parenting life in Australia and New Zealand, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Australia / Melbourne supermarket shopping tips

127 replies

squishee · 09/08/2023 03:32

Recently arrived from the UK by way of Europe. Will be staying long-term but temporarily. So I want to make the most of it!
As the subject is so vast (and I'll keep restaurants for a separate thread), I'll start with supermarket fare. So far, as a child of 70s UK I have enjoyed:

Proper bacon!
Pies
Gammon steaks (which seem to be called loin steaks here?)
Crumpets
Soft white rolls
Coleslaw
ALLLL the Asian ingredients.
Affordable avocados that are perfect (not brown or black) inside!
Clementines

What else should I look out for?

TIA.

OP posts:
JauntyRedShoes · 17/08/2023 09:12

Thank you, I will persevere.

Original poster
squishee · 18/08/2023 03:23

I did have a shopping trolley for a few years, but rarely used it. I am more of a backpack person.

OP posts:
Fraaahnces · 18/08/2023 04:01

@squishee - I have a backpack with wheels. Life-changing.

LovelaceBiggWither · 19/08/2023 00:52

Oh a visit to Gewurzhaus is essential. They have a stall at Queen Vic and a few shops around the place, one at Carlton definitely. Their spices are divine.

Sagealicious · 19/08/2023 20:45

Acland Street St Kilda. So. Many. Cakes!

Original poster
squishee · 25/08/2023 02:00

Believe it or not, I am yet to try a Lamington. Just as soon as I get rid of this streaming cold...

OP posts:
FallingStar21 · 25/08/2023 02:05

Avoid mushrooms from Asian shops, which may turn deadly.

Seddon · 25/08/2023 02:09

FallingStar21 · 25/08/2023 02:05

Avoid mushrooms from Asian shops, which may turn deadly.

Does anyone really believe that bollocks she's talking? It's just a coincidence, then, that she has death caps growing on her property?

Original poster
squishee · 28/08/2023 09:26

I went to a Bunnings sausage sizzle! Was the right thing at the right time - thanks for the tip.

OP posts:
Weenurse · 28/08/2023 09:47

Love a Bunnings sausage sizzle

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 29/08/2023 01:51

I went to Bunnings on Saturday and there was no sausage sizzle! I hate it when that happens!

StartupRepair · 29/08/2023 02:18

Shocking! Fundraisers have to book the slots months in advance too.

Missingthegore · 29/08/2023 11:52

Lassa! Technically you should go to Darwin for the best Lassa but loads of good Lassa in Melbourne.

Find out who the winner of bakery of the year is and vanilla slice and make a trip of it.

Stone fruit especially cherries at Christmas, was in Ireland recently and while the Wexford strawberries were fantastic the Stone fruit was average.

Chicken parma in the pub.

Choc top at the movie.

Missingthegore · 29/08/2023 11:55

Louloulouenna · 15/08/2023 14:23

Out of interest how do you all find supermarkets in Oz compared to the UK? I spent a few months in Melbourne last year and whilst I really really loved a lot of the stuff I could get there I couldn’t help but feel the better supermarkets in the UK had the edge overall.

I was in Camberwell and only went to the two local ones so perhaps next time I’m there I should extend my reach.

Aldi is great
Things are going to be different, I don't know why people go to the expat shops for washing powder (understand the chocolate)
They are improving, better ready meals etc

Original poster
squishee · 30/08/2023 10:26

Missingthegore · 29/08/2023 11:52

Lassa! Technically you should go to Darwin for the best Lassa but loads of good Lassa in Melbourne.

Find out who the winner of bakery of the year is and vanilla slice and make a trip of it.

Stone fruit especially cherries at Christmas, was in Ireland recently and while the Wexford strawberries were fantastic the Stone fruit was average.

Chicken parma in the pub.

Choc top at the movie.

Do you mean Laksa? If so, I'm keen to find the best places! The choice of S-E Asian places here is wonderful but a bit overwhelming.

I had a really bad Parma in a pub that has put me off them for now. I know they are usually good.

OP posts:
Missingthegore · 30/08/2023 13:11

@squishee yes laksa
Dammed auto correct

Original poster
squishee · 31/08/2023 04:25

Missingthegore · 30/08/2023 13:11

@squishee yes laksa
Dammed auto correct

It had to be either laksa or lassi!

Smile
OP posts:
Seddon · 06/09/2023 05:55

squishee · 30/08/2023 10:26

Do you mean Laksa? If so, I'm keen to find the best places! The choice of S-E Asian places here is wonderful but a bit overwhelming.

I had a really bad Parma in a pub that has put me off them for now. I know they are usually good.

Show quote history

Near you... Chinta Ria in St Kilda for laksa. It's an institution, you only get to stay in business that long when you're the best!

Original poster
squishee · 06/09/2023 06:46

Can anyone recommend a good online (South-East) Asian grocery, or a high-street one that also delivers? Again, there are masses to choose from but time for mooching around the city is tight atm.

TIA!

OP posts:
DrJump · 06/09/2023 11:02

I remember having laksa there when I was 13 some 30 years ago. It was excellent

Original poster
squishee · 13/09/2023 13:41

DrJump · 06/09/2023 11:02

I remember having laksa there when I was 13 some 30 years ago. It was excellent

Wow, it was memorable then!

OP posts:
Original poster
squishee · 19/09/2023 03:08

aprilshowers2015 · 11/08/2023 13:30

That's it! Delicious!!

Show quote history

I've made a pretty close copycat of this dip! Went through the ingredients list, got most of them (used pesto instead of basil) and whizzed it all up in my mini food processor.

OP posts:
Original poster
squishee · 27/09/2023 00:30

Cobs of corn seem to be in season - only 1$ each at Coles. So good microwaved right in the husk.
They don't get stuck between your teeth like European ones - maybe they have been somehow engineered not to!

OP posts:
Seddon · 27/09/2023 02:50

@squishee the best and most Aussie way to do corn is soak it in beer then BBQ it. Lovely and juicy.

Original poster
squishee · 28/09/2023 10:11

Seddon · 27/09/2023 02:50

@squishee the best and most Aussie way to do corn is soak it in beer then BBQ it. Lovely and juicy.

Ooh I've never heard of that, thanks! Now all I need to do is acquire a BBQ...

OP posts: