Update: see this page for a list of India related shops/restaurants etc in Mexico
We stepped up to the armed men guarding the door. The street was deserted, not a single person walking. The doors were huge, almost the entire front of the ground floor. I hesitated, checked the number again, but there was no doubt. This was it. I spoke to one of the guards…is this the place where the…and then blank, the spanish words for grocery shop disappeared from my mind.
Luckily as soon as I said the word for Shop, one of them helpfully filled the blanks, the Indian shop? I said yes. He said, follow me. We walked through the narrow doors into what appeared to be a parking lot. A few cars were parked there, but the vast cavern inside was clearly underutilized. Off to one side, a door. We followed the guard through this door and then the lift. Second floor to the right, he said., and quietly disappeared. We got into the lift and at the second floor, we turned right. A maze of corridors and doors. One door had a framed portrait of an Indian god, but I don’t even remember which one. That was the only sign that behind this door was the only Indian grocery shop in Mexico.
When I first arrived in Mexico, I knew that it was going to be problematic to find indian grocery items. Mexico is not exactly known for its large Indian population. In the past I hadn’t really cared, sine I was quite happy to go with the flow, scrounging around on foreign foods. I didn’t even learn to cook till I reached Australia, and till I had an epiphany. Nobody was going to make me food that I wanted to eat, and thus I started cooking. Really simple stuff, but somehow it’s only the food of your childhood that manages to fill your stomach. Sydney did have a large Indian population, and frequent visits to Parramatta was enough to keep things stocked. So when I left for Mexico, I got a whole bunch of essential spices shipped, and stocked up with visits from my parents and anyone who went anywhere basically. We managed to find ingredients in odd places: ghee from this ultra hippy food place, mustards seeds from the general market (they feed it to birds), tea from an upmarket grocery shop in Mexico city. The first time I went to an Indian artifacts shop in Mexico City I asked the shop keeper where to get foodstuff, and he gave me a number of a wholesale dealer, but I never followed it up, it wasn’t even a real shop.
But then a friend of D’s, who’d been to Bangladesh, and subsequently enamoured of Indian food, passed her an email from another friend with a list of supplies stocked by this grocery shop in Mexico City. I looked at the list and realized that most of my troubles were over. But the shop was hard to find, and it meant a trip of 5 hrs to Mexico City and then some to find the place. We went one weekend and as luck would have it, the shop was closed for vacations. And last weekend, on a whim, we went there again, and finally it was open.
The owner of the shop, who’s been here for close to 20 yrs now, is mostly a clothes dealer, because the entire warehouse was dominated by stacks and stacks of clothes. The grocery section was a small room, with a few shelves packed with lentils and spices and all the familiar accoutrements of indian cooking. We walked in , and immediately started piling stuff on a table to take home, while the assistant looked on bemused at the flurry of activity. I even found ragi flour. In a matter of minutes we were done, with enough supplies to warrant a largish carton and the assistance of one of the workers to carry it down to the car.
I spoke briefly to the owner, and he claims to supply food to the entire Indian community in Mexico. He told me that there were around 5000 people here, but they must be well scattered. I guess I will have to make the inevitable trip to the Indian embassy to find out what they’re up to.
The address for the place is as follows
CALLE FERNANDO DE ALVA IXTLIXOCHTIL 27 INT 201
COL. OBRERA, C.P.06800. DF, MEXICO
TEL: 1325-9843
Above location is one and half block from METRO DOCTORES. Open from 10AM TO 7PM (M-F) Saturday by appointment.
I have it on good authority that if you add sufficient peyote to your meals, they are guaranteed to taste like anything you want.
Ah so THAT’s the missing ingredient!
I want come Mexico please help me and give me some advice I want because my girl friend live in Mexico add my whAtsup 919794256453
So did you learn the secret handshake too?
Can you give the address of this store? I have just moved to Mexico City and need some groceries.
Thanks for updating the address
Thank you .. I just hope they take orders on phone n ship me to Puerto Vallarta !! ..
If its possible… please can you e-mail me the list of items they have ..
Thank you again
God Bless 🙂
They take orders by email (singhjassal@yahoo.com), and ship by multipack. Write to them and ask for the current list of items.
Hi sir
This Dilip from México cita can i have your contacto number so can talk to You personally
Regaras Dilip kumar
send me an email at dinrao@gmail.com
I appreciate your help, Dinesh ! .. Thanks alot.
take care ..
God Bless 🙂
Thanks a lot for your information. I am in mexico now and searching for a shop…. It will be helpful if you can provide us the list of items..
Dude once again thanks a lot for your info…
Hi
thanks for the information, are they still take orders by phone and ship the items? and how many days they take to ship/
Hey. thanks for the post…i am moving to Mexico City shortly…and i might think this info is pretty damn useful…thanks a lot…can you touch base with me at srini0208@yahoo.com..please……
They take orders by email, and ship it to you.
You are a lifesaver, Dinesh! Thanks for the info! I hope the address is still valid?
Particularly want urad dal as I cannot live without Dosas, hehe!
Thank you for this information. I looked up the address on Google Maps, and it showed a Hotel Max at that location. The street name is actually CALLE FERNANDO DE ALVA IXTLIXOCHTIL. (Two words) But there is a large parking lot next to the hotel, shown on the Google Maps Street View.. We hope to locate this store when we are in Mexico City in two weeks.
Saludos,
Don Cuevas
Thanks for the correction! Send me an email if you want more information.
Hello Dinesh,
This is a very helpful forum! I’m moving to Zihuatanejo and I’d like to know if this store has a good selection of Indian groceries.
Thanks,
Sriram
Hello Sriram. It’s got a pretty decent selection of (mostly) north indian stuff. The stock changes from year to year, so the best thing to do is to email that guy and see what he has. Good luck!
This Forum was really helpful,I am Moving to Mexico in December….. Was worried about where we would get our supplies from…. Now very relaxed.
Thanks Dinesh…..
If someone could also help me out with the approx cost of Living in Mexico city for a family of Four , apart from Schooling and Rent . It would be great help.
Hi Nidhi, I’ll try to find out the cost of living, but meanwhile, you can check the mexconnect website for information.
Thanks Dinesh….
Hello Dinesh,
I am going to move to Mexico for few months, will be working with Ericsson. Need info on apartment rentals and other basics to survive in Mexico. Could you please guide me?
Hi Abhi, I’ll write you an email
cheers
Dinesh
Hi Nidhi,
I was in Puebla, Mexico in August and that city is very beautiful and economic.
The apt. rents range between 1700 to 2500 Pesos which is around US $150 to $200, could be slightly more depending on the location. Very posh Apts.in down town range is $400 – $500
But it all depends on which city you are going to live in…I believe Mexico city is almost double to Puebla when it comes to Apt. rents
Hope this helps…
Best Wishes
Hi Dinesh… this is wonderful news!! my brother is moving to Puebla, Mexico in a couple of months and was worried he may not find Indian Groceries. we were even planning to ship some from USA… this is definitely a better choice as I am sure it would cost much less to ship with in Mexico.
any idea if there are any good South Indian Restaurants??
Thanks a lot…
Hamsa
Nope, not a single South Indian restaurant, as far as I know. The shop stocks some basic idli/dosa mixes, but it’s not even MTR!
Hi Dinesh
I am moving to San Luis Potosi in 4 weeks. But currently I am staying on temporary basis and also planning to go to Mexico City next weekend. Can you pls mail any contact information (Email or phone) of the grocery shop owner. The forum thread says it is better to ask the owner for an appointment when going in weekends and also to get the latest inventory log of the items available.
Have a nice day….
Thanks
regards
Karthik
Hi
In Puebla downtown you have one Indian restaurant Banjara
Hii haritha any idea is there any indian grocery shop
Hi Dinesh,
We are moving to Mexico City next month….can you mail me any Indian grocerry store’s address or phone number….is there any Indian temple ,restaurant ….or any organization where Indian people can meet up.
Thanks….
Hi Amita:
The only grocery store I know is the one mentioned above, though now there are some condiments being sold at the Restaurant tandoor in Polanco http://www.tandoor.com.mx/ (website seems to be down at present).; and this is the other indian restaurant, but i haven’t been there (http://www.resdawat.com/index.htm). I don’t know any temples, or any Indian organization. I went to the embassy to ask about it and it was a complete waste of time. The indian cultural centre has events once in a while, but since i don’t live in mexico city, I don’t pay much attention to them .Good luck!
Hi Amita,
In response to your query… there are a couple of people who do home delivery of indian grocery…..
We do have a Iskon temple and Gurudwara here. As Dinesh mentioned tandoor n Dawat serve indian and Muglai , bukara near zucalo also serves indian food…..
Hi Nidhi, thanks for the information. Where exactly is Bukara?
ADDRESS MENTIONED BELOW:
Dirección:
Plaza de la Constitución 13
Centro
México, DF
.
.Teléfono:
5510 3731
Hi Nidhi…thanks a ton….can u pls tell me the contact number of those ppl,and can u pls gimme the address of the temple and gurdwara….I’ll
Be moving to Mexico City in the first week of next month,and I’ll be staying
In Santa Fe…
rush@rhos.com.mx, ….contact on this mail id am sure you will get all the details of the grocery available 🙂
D, it must be about time you got the message that the review website, indiamexico.com, needs to be created!
heh. absolutely!
hi Dinesh
thanks a lot for the information. i have just moved to morelia city 2 weeks back…just wanted to know if the above address and mail is still valid as it is almost 2 year old info…
or if there is any other info or contact if you can share with me…
thanks
hi denish its feel great to see all this im in uk now days and planning to come mexico so probly I will be need it.nay way is it not dnagerous area is it?
thnks
Hi this is Dev, I have been buying the Indian grocery items from rush@rhos.com.mx for the last 2 years and I can tell you that their prices and services are much better. They have all the dals, masalas, indian atta, basmati rice, namkeens and many more items. Hope this helps.
Thanks dev!
hi Dev
thanks a lot for this info. i want to know where they are located and can i write a mail to them in English??
thanks
Hi friends,
Its feel great to see you all.
Thanks a lot for your information.
I am in Coatzacoalacus now and searching for a Indian Store and Restaurant.I am vegetarian and First time I came out of India. So It’s a little difficult for me to stay here.But now would be easier.
Yes m agree wid u peacay indiamexico.com, needs to be created!
Welcome, Kanchan, and good luck!
I have set up a page here https://pointsofdeparture.wordpress.com/india-in-mexico-an-ongoing-guide/ to collect all this information.
thanks for very informative info re: Indian food and availability in Mexico for newly arrived ‘hindus’. naren rana
Hi Dinesh,
Do you know any Indian store that will ship the grocerries to other locations like to Leon City in Mexico..If so please let me know where and how..
rhosmx@rhos.com.mx, write to them to see if they ship to Leon. they ship to Xalapa from Mexico City.
Hi Dinesh, Can you please help us with the address of this indian grocery store in mexico city
HI Kiran, I don’t know their address, I just use email
Hi Raghava,
Are you still there in Leon?
Thanks a lot dinesh for such a handy information. I m moving to Mexico City probably march first week.
You’re welcome
Hi Dinesh, Iam working in Wipro Technologies, Chennai for Citibank. My manager told me that there is an onsite offer for 2 yrs in mexico for my role. But he said it will be very difficult to survive in mexico becoz of language barrier & food. Iam a pure vegetarian. He also added that it is not so safe to move alone after 5 pm. Due to financial constraints, Iam desperately looking for an Onsite opportunity. When exploring for information about Indian shops in mexico via google, I came across this forum & read thru it completely. It was very useful and reduced my fear to certain extent. Earlier I have lived in switzerland during 2012 where most of indian foods would be available.
Now my questions are:
1. Will language be a barrier there?
2. How safe is living in mexico for 2 yrs?
3. Is it safe to live there with family (wife & kid)?
4. How much could one save there approximately?
Hi Harihara,
I’m vegetarian as well, but I eat eggs, so it’s a lot easier. In my experience, eating out in restaurants is a bit difficult. You might find one or two things you can eat. But if can cook, there’s no problem eating at home. You can generally get rice/tortillas (maize rotis)/some side dishes wherever. If the rice is not white, then it generally means that they cooked it in chicken broth.
Regarding safety: it depends on where you will be. I see that WIPRO has an office in Mexico City, which is generally considered fairly safe. Of course its a huge city so you will have the usual sort of problems in a big city, pickpockets, thefts etc.
I feel that you can manage with English in teh eork environment, but outside that you will need spanish, or atleast someone who can help you in the first fe days. Since the script is almost he same as english, and since many words mean the same, it is quite easy to begin reading spanish, but speaking spanish will take time. I spent a lot of time watching tv (with subtitles) and this helped a lot.
Again, the amount you can save will depend on where you live. The exchange rate is favourable, but I don’t know how much rent costs in Mexico City. Try this website to get a better idea. http://www.mexconnect.com/forums/
On the other hand there are more Indians in Mexico City, so you can maybe contact them to get a better idea. Good luck!
Hi dinesh need ur help i have got an offer for 2 years at a company in Basiliso promo anguiano g.madero city could u pls tell if this is a safe city for family to stay for 2 years. Waiting for ur reply.
Is this in Mexico City?
Hi Dinesh yes this is the Address of the place… Ing. Basiliso Romo Anguiano,
225 Col. Gpe. Insurgentes, Del. G.A. Madero; C.P. 07870,
México D.F., MÉXICO, could you be kindly able to help and inform if this is a safe place.? thanks in advance.
Hi ramya, I am not too sure about this area. I asked someone who lives in Mexico City and they said the same. If you are going there to work for an Indian organisation maybe the best bet is to contact someone who lives there. In general Mexico City is safe, (of course you have the usual problems as in any big city). Another option is to post on IWAM’s Facebook page and see if they have any suggestions. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help !
Hi Dinesh,
Your help regarding groceries and useful info. About Mexico is commendable, much appreciated.
Please can I have your contact number to discuss few thinga in detail? I’ve recently arrived in Mex City and staying in Polanco.
Cheers !
Shahzad
Hi, contact me at dinrao@gmail.com
HI Dinesh and Muhammad, how do you like mexico city so far? Im from brasil but my boyfriend is from India, we recently came here for work but he is struggling a lot with the food, can you share us the address of the groceries store?
Many thanx in advance.
Ola Nora : here’s the link to all the places I know about https://pointsofdeparture.wordpress.com/india-in-mexico-an-ongoing-guide/
ps: this Facebook group may interest you https://www.facebook.com/groups/199914983388140/
D
Thank you D, that’s really helpful… We really appreciate it. Regards
My name is Danish and I’m from PAKISTAN Please give me the list and then I’ll b order some groceries
Hi Danish, I don’t sell anything, I just maintain a list of people who do here: https://pointsofdeparture.wordpress.com/india-in-mexico-an-ongoing-guide/
D
Danish911@hotmail.com this is my email address
hi dinesh..I will be moving to mexico cit in weeks..Plan to cook a lot there..
what type of rice is available there(is it basmati)? and also do we get idli or dosa mix there and puffed rice used to make bhel puri etc..??
You get ready mixes, the rice is some local mexican rice. Basmati is fairly expensive. I havent seen the bhelpuri rice though
ah ok thanks..hoping for a great time in mexico..seems like bhelpuri mixe has to be shipped from India..
krishna india grocery at reasonable Price and from rice to pickle to other grocery product even indian broom available under one roof…..phone number: saltillo mexico…..8442743377….requested to contact first by email…..
its an excellent grocery with very reasonable Price and i tried it…
Hi… I am leaving in Puebla and want to buy some Indian food stuff.
Can you please send the list and price of it?
Also charges for courier to Puebla.
Dear All – Can you please paste the exact address / email ID / phone # of the Indian grocery shop ? Basically, I am planning to pick basmati rice, Lenthils and Ghee, etc.
Note: I am currently staying in Santa Fe, Mexico City.
Thanks in advance!!
Ghee can be found in many health stores in mexico city. Atleast i have seen them in condessa. Same with Arroz de hindu. You may want to touch base with Dawat restaurant, as they provided me the number of grocer who can arrange indian food.
Is still they sell these stuff any other store in Mexico
Hello , I have just come to Holiday Inn Tlalnepantla so is there any Indian hotel or Grocery shop, please advise
Can you let me know the shop where I can get Mobile SIM card i.e Free India calling card…Do share contact details