A lot of Indonesians complain about food whenever they visit
European countries. Some groan that it is tasteless, while others
say it is just too greasy.
Most travelers going to Europe resort to packing packages of
instant noodles, homemade or bottled chili sauce and even bottled
bumbu (cooking spices) along with their clothes, as they find
having Indonesian food abroad is the best solution for a long trip.
Finding the spices needed for dishes from home can present a
problem when visiting Europe, however, an increase in Asians
immigrating to Europe has meant the number of stores selling Asian
food and spices has also increased.
In Stuttgart, people can find spices quite easily. Cooking food
from home need not be a problem as long as one can afford the high
price of spices, which can be 10 times more expensive than those at
home.
Look no further than Markthalle, which is located in the heart of
Stuttgart and is the perfect place to shop for ingredients to cook
up Turkish, Chinese, Hungarian, Indian or even Greek or Italian
dishes.
Judging from the exterior of Markthalle, one would not suspect
that it houses a traditional market. The building was built by the
King of Wrttemberg in 1864. When a fire burned it down, it was
reconstructed by architect Martin Elsdsser, and was reopened again
in 1914.
Inside the building are 40 kiosks selling fresh vegetables,
fruit, fish, various baked goods, spices, assorted liquor, a myriad
of cheese and sausages, Italian delicacies and fresh flowers.
Ingredients, such as fresh peanuts, dried soybeans, bihun
(thin rice noodles), rice, preserved sprouts, canned coconut milk,
bottled sambal (chili sauce) and fresh garlic can also be
found at Markthalle.
Most Asian spices come in powdered form, including red chili,
coriander and cinnamon.
The prices are, of course, ultra expensive compared to those in
Jakarta. One hundred grams of coriander can set you back three
euros, while that same amount in Jakarta costs about Rp 1,000 (11
U.S. cents). Spices for use in fried rice, curry, rendang
(meat cooked in hot and spicy coconut milk) and fried noodles are
also available for between two euros and five euros. There's also
salt, sweet soybean sauces and chili sauce on offer.
In the fresh produce section, you can find bananas, papayas,
pineapples, mangoes, durians, fresh red chili, fresh ginger and
shallots. However, the quantity of these items is limited. Prices
vary from three euros to six euros each, but fruit, such as durian,
needs to be weighed and the price is according to its weight in
grams.
Fresh fish kiosks sell mackerel, salmon and lobster.
At the kiosk selling Italian ingredients, a large selection of
cooked fish in different sauces is available. A spiced, cooked fish
costs about eight euros per 100 grams.
In the hall's corner, there are cafes with a vast selection of
drinks and delicious cakes for those needing to take a break during
shopping. The second floor has household and garden shops.
Shopping in Markthalle is comfortable, and not smelly or dirty.
A small water fountain is provided for shoppers to wash their
hands in the center of the building.
The goods come either in plastic packages, bottles, cans or in
cardboard and are neatly arranged on racks, while the fresh
vegetables and fruit are kept in wooden boxes. Cheese, sausages and
a variety of Italian delicacies are displayed on glass racks to
allow shoppers easy access in selecting their favorite products.
As price tags are placed on each package, visitors who cannot
speak German will have no problem making purchases and communicating
with vendors.
For residents of Stuttgart, prices for goods selling in
Markthalle are generally higher than in local supermarkets.
"Vendors have to pay more for the electricity," said Ute, in
regard to the higher prices. "If you are a frequent shopper, they'll
become familiar with you and shopping will be fun."
The market opens daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., but closes two
hours earlier on Saturday. It is closed all day on Sunday.
