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🪪 Expat lifeFood✓ Verified Mar 2026

Best International Food Stores in Dubai for Hard-to-Find Ingredients

Looking for masala, miso, plantain, gochujang? Here are the international food stores in Dubai that actually stock everything in 2026.

·7 min read·By the Tovi UAE Team

Quick answer

Top stores for hard-to-find ingredients in Dubai include Spinneys, Carrefour, and Union Coop for basics, plus specialized spots like Choithrams, Lulu Hypermarket, and Asian specialty stores such as Bharat Bhavan and Misr for masala, miso, plantain, and gochujang. Most locations operate 8am-12am in 2026, with online ordering via Talabat Mart and Noon Now available for same-day delivery. Fees range from AED 10-25 for minimum orders over AED 50.

Spinneys and Carrefour for pantry staples

Spinneys branches at Jumeirah, Marina, and Al Barsha hold reliable sections for international ingredients. Look for Thai red curry paste, coconut milk, and fish sauce in the Asian aisle. 2026 shelf prices include Thai Kitchen coconut milk at AED 9.50 and Mae Ploy red curry paste at AED 12.75.

Carrefour in Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre runs expanded international sections with Japanese miso paste, Korean gochujang, and Mexican tortilla wraps. Current listings show CJ Haechoo brand miso at AED 14.25 and Gochujang by Chung Jung Won at AED 16.50.

Choithrams and Lulu Hypermarket for South Asian ingredients

Choithrams operates 36 branches in 2026, with full rows of Indian spices, dals, and fresh produce such as drumstick leaves and green plantains. Masala packets from Everest and MDH brands sit at AED 4.75-7.50 per pack. Fresh green plantains are priced at AED 6.80 per kg.

Lulu Hypermarket at Barsha Heights and Al Qusais provides larger bulk bins for whole spices, turmeric root, and Indian sweets ingredients. Online ordering through Lulu Now delivers within 90 minutes for AED 15 flat fee.

Asian specialty stores for Japanese and Korean items

Bharat Bhavan

Located in Satwa and Karama, Bharat Bhavan stocks Japanese miso, nori sheets, rice vinegar, and Korean ssamjang alongside Indian items. 2026 prices: Shin Ramyun ramen packs at AED 3.75, nori at AED 8.50, rice vinegar at AED 10.25.

Online catalog allows pick-up at Satwa store or Talabat Mart integration.

Misr Supermarket

Misr in Al Rigga and Al Qusais shows full shelves of Filipino plantain chips, adobo seasoning, and Filipino tinapa smoked fish. Plantain chips from San Miguel brand reach AED 7.50.

Online delivery through Noon Now reaches Al Rigga area with AED 12 fee.

Online platforms for next-day availability

Talabat Mart and Noon Now list international items from multiple stores combined into single cart. Minimums under AED 50 receive AED 10 delivery fee. 2026 rates: miso paste from 2-3 suppliers at AED 14.25-16.50, plantain from 3 suppliers at AED 6.80-7.50, gochujang at AED 16.50.

Delivery windows show 45 minutes to 2 hours for urgent items.

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