Grocery Shopping In Moscow - The Fearless Foreigner

Many people have shown curiosity about what the food is like in Moscow, in particular what is available at grocery stores. For the most part you can find the majority of the things you want in a different brand, once you know where to find it and can translate the language. Depending on what I need, I typically go to about four different stores within a 10 minute walk from my apartment. Here’s a look at grocery shopping in Mitino, my neighborhood.

Step 1: Find a store.

20171119_130425 — Typical stand-alone grocery store chain.

20170910_114648 — Many grocery stores are located within malls.

20170910_114509 — There is also a market in my neighborhood where you can buy fresh produce.

Step 2: Store any bags in the lockers.

Step 3: Find your groceries.

20171201_181737 — Don’t forget to weigh your produce!

Cereal….not as many selections, but fairly easy to figure out what kind it is.

There is refrigerated milk and unrefrigerated milk. I don’t even understand how this unrefrigerated milk can be considered milk!?

Step 4: Check out

check outs.jpg — Hold up your bag right away to avoid being asked if you need a bag. Then pack your groceries in your own bag to avoid paying for them every-time you come.

A newer discovery I have made is an online grocery store that delivers. Once I got over the initial hassles of entering my address incorrectly, the website not translating like most do and drivers calling me and asking about my address in Russian….I have found it quite helpful!

Although I do miss some particular brands from home and especially the taste of Wisconsin milk, I am definitely not going hungry!