Spice it up!

At this time of year, it’s tempting to retreat into comfort foods. Warming stews and mountains of mashed potatoes and king-sized portions of sticky toffee pudding have their merits, but maybe it’s time to expand your palette with a visit to one of the city and shire’s amazing Asian or Indian groceries or a trip to your favourite curry house, Chinese or Thai restaurant? Variety is, after all, the spice of life, so here are a few of our favourites…

You’ll find My Spice Shop on St. Machar Road, just off the Drive. They’re part of Fair deal Foods and are particularly strong on exotic fruit and vegetables, stocking everything from amla to yams. Admittedly, you’re bound to be tempted by some strange and wonderful delights that end up lurking at the bottom of the fridge, but prices for store cupboard goods are significantly cheaper than the world foods aisle at your usual supermarket. They’ve also got an extensive selection of frozen Indian breads, starters and ready meals if cooking from scratch isn’t for you. It’s not just Indian food either, Turkey and the Middle East and the Mediterranean all get a look in. They’re also the UK’s biggest online World Foods online supplier (myspiceshop.co.uk) if you prefer to have your groceries delivered.

If you’re looking for something more central, then have a wander up King Street or George Street, both of which abound in interesting little shops selling world foods. Pop into Spice of Asia on John Street. They’re great for interesting veg, bunches of herbs, halal meat and stock a massive range of ingredients.  

If you like your ingredients exotic, then a visit to Matthews Foods, the Oriental Supermarket on Causewayend is a must. There’s a gazillion different sauces and varieties of noodle, interesting exotic veg and mushrooms and frozen food. Admittedly, there are a few things that won’t make it into our basket, chicken feet and frozen pork uterus is just a little too authentic for our tastes. 

If you’d rather someone else did the cooking, 8848 on Union Street is named after Mount Everest and the menu scales the heights of Nepalese and Indian cuisine, but with a modern twist and fresh flavours. Their biryanis are brilliant and we have a soft spot for their excellent dal makhani. There’s lots of choice for vegetarians and vegans, including a veggie thali and starters like Edamame Bhel and Bikaneri Paneer Tikka. They’ve had more awards than they have room for. 

You’ll find Koi Thai up on Rosemount Place. They’re great for lunch or dinner and the restaurant is like a little oasis of serenity in the heart of the city, all dark wood and shades of spice. There’s a vegan and vegetarian menu, a gluten free menu and even one for children as Koi is very family friendly. The mixed seafood starter is a firm favourite, the papaya and carrot salad packs a punch and there’s a superb selection of stir fries and curries too. 

Jewel in the Crown has the distinction of being very good for a very long time, almost 30 years in fact. You’ll find them on Crown Street in a harmingly convivial setting. The dishes are thoughtful, beautifully prepared and presented and always well balanced and fresh. The menu takes regional specialities from the length and breadth of India, creating a Greatest Hits approach that means every dish is delicious. 

The staff are exceptionally helpful, particularly when you want to know more about a dish. 

Kin Kao on Union Street combines award-winning Thai cuisine under the guidance of the much-missed Sabai restaurant’s ex-head chef, with innovative dishes, the freshest flavours and a beautiful interior. There’s a superb range of starters and specialities like Pla Nueng Manow steamed seabass, Duck Larb salad, or Neau Weeping Tiger 28 day aged sirloin. Vegetarians, vegans and those avoiding gluten have plenty of options. If you can’t decide, then try the wonderful tapas menu, which is a great way to try lots of new nibbly bits.

This autumn, add a little spice to your life!