Zem Zem Mini Market

I first moved to Cardiff in 1999 as a student, and over ten years on and as a professional, Zem Zem continental supermarket continues to be one of my favourites. And in all that time it hasn’t changed a bit. As the old adage goes, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’
So why do I go? Spices mainly — loads of them. And tins — ooh, I’ve just remembered the tinned dolmas. I might have to pop in tomorrow! Anything you’d want for Middle Eastern or Asian foods. And vegetables — unlike most of the supermarkets I go to you’re assured to get an aubergine in here. Maybe even loads of small ones. And they do make me wonder why they’re so expensive in a supermarket if a little independent store can charge so little.
I also got brave recently, and popped in for some lamb mince to make a Moussaka. It was a good price and the man behind the counter was really friendly. We had a good chat about the meal and he suggested exactly the right amount of meat! And boy, was it scrummy. I’ve not had lamb like this since I got it straight from the farmer.
So why else go in? Well, apart from having a good look round at all the exotic and exciting food, they also do some fab looking pastries and sweets. I’ve always managed to keep myself under control (and spent all my money on dolmas) so I can’t say what they taste like, but if they’re as good as they look…
Students of Cathays! As bargain food goes, this is much more exciting than the chains!

My absolute favourite thing about Zem Zem is the flat breads that they sell. That might seem a little odd because they also sell some other, much more interesting, things. However, the flatbreads are just a great lighter alternative to bread. But they are sturdier than standard tortilla wraps, so you can pull them around while making food, without worrying. I do like flatbread.
Zem Zem sells some really interesting products, some of which I will definitely be trying, some of which I won’t (MSG by the bag, anyone?). However, it is particularly cheap as a shop. That’s not to say that it’s expensive; it just means that this food is essentially superfluous to my grocery budget, so I have to limit what I try.
It is worth a visit, really, just to go and stand in the middle of the shop floor and breathe in deeply. The wonderful scent of bread, exotic spices and that mysterious smell of ethnic food shops… Ooh, yes.
Also, I don’t know if he’s always working but the few times I’ve been in there’s been a lovely little incongruous old Welsh man, who is lovely. I know that seems like an odd reason to shop somewhere but, hey, every little helps.