January 6, 2009 | Hong Kong

Weather: 19 °C
Few clouds

Issue #764: The Fitness Issue

International Supermarkets

Bayern Gourmet Food - Specializing in cold cuts, sausages, fresh meat, and fresh and smoked fish, Bayern also carries condiments, herbs and marinades. You’ll find a number of pastry and bakery items here, too. And if you’re looking for German beers, you can stock up on Paulaner brand bock, lager, Oktoberfestbier and Hefeweissbier by the case. 11/F, Tin Fung Industrial Mansion, 63 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Aberdeen, 2518-0860, www.bgf.com.hk.

Castello Del Vino
Get a taste of Italy at Castello del Vino. This Italian food store specializes in Italian wine and food with Vino d’Italia. Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 11am-6:30pm. G/F, 12 Anton St., Wan Chai, 2555-8946.

City’Super
Sells products from all over the world, including Japanese sake, Iranian caviar, Italian pasta, and American mineral water. The IFC branch has an impressive 30-square-foot wine cellar. Open daily 10:30am-10pm. Shop 1040-49, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2234-2888.

Euro Treat
Carrying pricey European treats from canned food and honey to mineral water and wine at unbeatable prices, Euro Treat imports directly from England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Spain and Italy. Free delivery available for purchases over $350 ($50 for delivery to Kowloon). Open daily 10am-10:30pm. G/F, 17B Old Bailey St., Central, 2537-0207, www.eurotreat.com.hk.

Viva Italia
Not suprisingly, you’ll find Italian food at Viva Italia. Popular items include its extensive wine and Italian coffee selection. Open daily 9:30am-6:30pm. 1013-14 Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St., Ap Lei Chau, 2549-9941.

Gateway
Americana at its gluttonous best, this 3,000-square-foot store will satisfy your craving for Reese’s peanut butter cups, fruit roll ups and much, much more. Buy in bulk for the best value. Also sells wine. Open daily 10am-7pm. B/F, 188 Des Voeux Rd., Central, 2545-0338.

Great
Supermarket-size Great has a huge range of fresh produce and other gourmet goodies from all over the world. Check out its cheese, cold cut and deli selections, as well as its top-quality seafood and fresh meat. And don’t miss the chocolate counter. Yum. Open Sun-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat 9am-10pm. Basement, Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2918-9986.

Il Bel Paese
This Italian store has branches all over Hong Kong Island, and provides catering services with antipasti, mains and desserts. Everything Italian is available here, from confectionery and preserves to dairy, meats and pasta. Don’t miss the gelato in a range of unusual flavors, like French onion soup. G/F, 85 Caine Rd., Mid-Levels, 2549-8893, www.ilbelpaese.com.hk.

Kiran’s Provision Store
This well-known shop stocks plenty of provisions for Indian cookery, including curry paste and spices. It also sells delicious Indian sweets and snacks. Shop 52, 1/F, Mirador Mansion, 58 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2723-6781.

New World
Located on a street known as “Koreatown,” New World is one of the best-known Korean supermarkets in Hong Kong. Whether you need sesame oil, soybean paste, soy sauce, red chili paste, brown rice, black or red beans, or other ingredients, you’ll find everything you need here. Free delivery for purchases over $200. G/F, 5 Kimberly St., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2724-2414.

New Zealand Focus
A one-stop shop for Kiwis who are missing home, New Zealand Focus has everything from pineapple lumps, Jaffas, Snifters, peanut slabs and Griffin’s toffee pops to New Zealand lamb, beef rib-eye steaks and flavored beef jerky. Of course a New Zealand shop wouldn’t be complete without the country’s famous wine, and this one is filled to the brim with selections from all over the nation. G/F, Island Building, 439-445 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 2151-0652, www.nzfocus.com.hk.

Oliver’s Delicatessen
The city’s longtime grocer-in-chief for homesick expats, Oliver’s offers mainly European and American goods, as well as magnificently endowed deli, bread and meat counters. Open daily 8:30am-8pm. 233 Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Rd., Central, 2810-7710.

Fentons Gourmet
Situated in Happy Valley, Fentons offer customers a variety of specialty foodstuffs from all over the culinary atlas with a special emphasis given to French and Australian foods and wines. Open daily 10:30am-8:30pm. 151-153A Wong Nai Chung Rd., Happy Valley, 3422-3411.