As awesome as Maltese food is – and it really, really is – every now and then a craving for a specific foreign dish will appear, and nothing will dispel it apart from a bite, or many bites, of that delectable dish.

When this happens, you have three choices: head to a restaurant, drool over pictures on Google, or get some special ingredients and make yourself that funky foreign dish that you are craving.

Here are ten places in Malta that can supply those special ingredients.

1. Russian

Do you want to make some real Beef Stroganoff or Chicken Kiev? Maybe a unique Russian sauce – or just some real Russian vodka. The Russian Supermarket is the place to get your russki on. 

2. Polish

Polish Sausage? Periogi? Borscht? Look no further than the Polish Deli. This deli in Mosta offers all the tastiest Polish ingredients, allowing you to make the Polish buffet you’ve always wanted.

3. Indian 

From Naans to Parathas to Chapattis, and every spicy sauce in between, you need look no further then Khas Indian Foodstore. Now, make your own samosas or indian curry.

4. Asian

This hidden gem incredible array of vegetables, mushrooms, and rare ingredients explain why the Asia Food Store decided to cover all of Asia, and not just one country. From Chinese to Thai ingredients, look no further.

5. African

Africa has some incredible vegetables, like plantains or yams, that are hard to find in Malta. A Taste Of Africa offers all these ingredients, fresh as can be. 

6. Turkish/Latvian

Situated right near the Skate Park, many a student has bought some tasty foodstuffs from here, and now you can too. The Turkish Mini-Market has all types of Turkish and Latvian ingredients.

7. Bulgarian

From the sausages to the cheeses to the sauces, the Bulgarian Food Store is the place to find premier Bulgarian ingredients in Malta. Now you can make your very own Bulgarian Breakfast.

8. Sweden

Little Malta, meet Little Sweden – your one stop shop for all things Swedish. Check out the tasty Swedish chocolate, candy and snacks at the colourful pick n’mix.

9. Italian

There are tons of incredible Italian ingredient places, but the fabulous Himu and La Maltesa are both found on the same road, and both make their mozzarella in-house. Also, try out the pistachio sauce at Himu – you’d be nuts not to.

10. Arabic/Greek

Take your pick of bakalva, hallumi, akkawi, tulum and nabilsi cheese: if you haven’t tried at least half of these items, then you need to get to the Halal K’Mart in Gzira. From frozen to fresh ingredients, these guys have everything.

What other awesome international food places do you know about? Let us know in the comments below.

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]