Ceremoniously accepting the passing of the torch, we wish TBE the best in his time out of Egypt, and hope he’s remembered to pack enough dried molokheyya. Meanwhile, we’re glad to serve you up with more restaurant reviews, recipes (healthful, sugar-laden, beer-infused, and everything else we can think of), and the scoop on where to find those hard-to-find ingredients, including the following.
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Oh Alfa Market, you chamber of secrets, you hidden temple of wonders. Last week I found bok choy and fresh bean sprouts in the vegetable aisle, and this week? Lemongrass! Pair that with the tamarind nabbed from the Asian foods section, and I feel some Thai dishes coming on. I’ve heard legends of tofu hidden amongst the leafiness of vegetabledom in Alfa, but my searches have yet to be met with success. The Asian foods shelf is bountifully stocked, however, featuring rice noodles, dried seaweed, tapioca pearls, a variety of pastes and sauces, and more. Fans of Mexican fare can also find tortillas here, both soft flour tortillas and hard corn tortilla shells.
Thusly: the upside of Alfa includes the existence of foods I dared not hope could be found in Cairo. The downside: availability / reliability… I’m still dreaming of the day when I can find bok choy, sprouts, tofu, and lemongrass all on the same trip to the store.
Lemongrass: 7 le
Tamarind: 10 le
Alfa Market is located in Zamalek, on 4 El Malek El Afdal St. Pass the moat, Olmec, and the Steps of Knowledge; beside the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Alternatively, if you’re heading towards Mohandiseen on 26th of July, turn right one street after the second Misr gas station (the last street before the bridge) and as the road veers to the left, Alfa Market is on your left. They deliver. Tel: 19299, 02-27370805, 02-27370802, 02-27370801
Alfa Dokki has Tofu and always stocks all the items you list apart perhaps from Tamarind which I have never searched out.
Thanks for the tip off, we’ll be sure to check out the selection at the Dokki Alfa and report back. A reliable place to find tofu in Cairo is a find indeed!
The tofu at Alfa Market, when available, will be found in the exact same place where you found the bean sprouts. I think it comes from the same source. (Might be worth it to call the number of the package and find out where you can get regular supplies of both.)