A taste of home: the immigrant grocers bringing global snacks to Dublin
With its exterior the colours of the Brazilian flag, Real Brasil is instantly noticeable on
Capel Street
in
Dublin
. Inside, packets of pão de queijo and coxinha line freezers, and condiments such as dulce de leche and condensed milk occupy the shelves. Most products on the shelves are labelled in Portuguese, except for the pão de queijo in the freezers that have labels in English. On a Wednesday afternoon, the shop is busy with customers briskly moving about.
Among the many snacks stocked here are packs of paçoca, a sweet treat made with ground peanuts and sugar. The consistency is praline-like, and the taste is as addictive as candy. 'I would say paçoca is quite popular; we import it from Brazil,' says Robson Oliveira, who has been managing the Real Brasil business for 16 years. 'Açai is also popular; we import that too'.
'Biscoito de polvilho [cassava starch crisps], paçoca [peanut candy], and Guaraná Antarctica [a Brazilian soft drink] are among the most recognisable and widely available packaged snacks in Brazilian grocery stores in Dublin,' says Euzana Forkan, a food enthusiast from Brazil with a master's degree in gastronomy and food studies from
Technological University Dublin
.
Paçoca, Forkan says, is a very popular snack in Brazil, with indigenous origins – the earliest versions being a savoury dish made from dried meat and cassava flour. 'Today, paçoca is strongly associated with Festa Junina, a traditional Brazilian festival celebrated throughout June. While we now enjoy paçoca year-round, it still carries a nostalgic connection to this festival, which is one of the most beloved celebrations in Brazil.'
READ MORE
Oliveira says: 'Irish people buy our snacks too. Irish children like them because children like to try something different.'
According to Forkan, Brazilian snacks in Ireland are significantly more expensive than in Brazil. 'Beyond currency differences, factors like importation costs, taxes and limited availability drive up prices,' she says.
Some of the snacks, such as pão de queijo and coxinha, are produced in Ireland, with ingredients imported from Brazil, says Oliveira. Pão de queijo is traditional Brazilian cheese bread, made with cassava starch. Real Brasil sells frozen pão de queijo which can be bought and baked. Small balls of cheesy tapioca flour slowly rise and puff up in the oven, with the top turning golden brown. They feel light as air when bitten into. The packs that Real Brasil sell are produced in Ireland.
'My perception is that when Brazilians go to these stores, it's usually not for packaged snacks but rather to buy ingredients or frozen food. Or to buy freshly made Brazilian snacks like pão de queijo and coxinha, which hold a much stronger place in Brazilian food culture and can be found in pretty much all Brazilian shops,' says Forkan.
Coxinha is a deep-fried chicken snack, with the chicken minced and encased in a dough. Both the outer casing and the chicken filling fall apart on the first bite, with steam rising from the centre when the coxinha is served hot. Oliveira says that while pão de queijo and coxinha are popular sellers, the shop ensures it always has them in stock.
Robson Oliveira, manager of Real Brasil, with the products paçoca and açai. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
This is unlike Ingredients, the
Indian
grocery store in
Stillorgan
, where popular snacks are often sold out. Packets of Haldiram's, an Indian brand that produces savoury snacks like aloo lachha (spicy potato sticks) and aloo bhujia (a sort of potato vermicelli), often disappear from the shelves. Haldiram's is a household name in India, and their packaged snacks are popular accompaniments with tea.
According to proprietor Melvin Moby, however, the two most popular snacks at Ingredients are Lay's crisps and Maggi noodles. Indian Lay's come in flavours such as Magic Masala (spicy) and Tomato Tango (ketchup flavour). Magic Masala is frequently sold out at Ingredients. Maggi is an instant noodle brand that's a favourite with both children and adults, often a popular student meal because of how quick it is to prepare.
In India, smaller grocery stores called kirana shops sell packets of Lay's crisps and Maggi. Children often frequent these shops after school to buy their favourite crisps and noodles. Magic Masala is a particularly popular flavour for Lay's, a bright blue packet with spicy crisps inside.
Street vendors who cook Maggi noodles often set up stalls outside schools and colleges, stirring the noodles in pots of boiling water until they're cooked. Stalls like these also often sell chai alongside Maggi.
'We can't seem to get enough of them,' says Moby when I ask him if Lay's and Maggi sell out often. This despite a huge difference in price between here and in India. 'By the time the duty and container charges are paid, the price would be five times more.'
Ingredients is Moby's family business, also involving his father, Moby PB, and mother, Mini Moby. He took over 10 years ago, and his brother Ivin Moby and he are responsible for scaling it now, he says. 'I've always been around it so I had an interest in scaling it.' He grew up in Ireland and so enjoyed snacks such as Tayto, but wanted Lay's and Maggi when he went to India. 'There was a nostalgic factor for me, and I see Irish kids enjoying a mix of both Irish and imported snacks.'
[
West African food is finally taking its place at Irish tables
Opens in new window
]
Besides packaged snacks, Ingredients also sells fresh vegetables and herbs. Bunches of bright green coriander and mint lie on shelves, next to refrigerated radishes and chillies.
Yes Kabayan, a Filipino shop in Dublin city centre, doesn't stock fresh vegetables or herbs but brings packaged Filipino snacks to Dublin. Jars of peanut butter are stacked above jars of coconut gel in syrup. There's dried fish in the freezer and pinoy hopia (a kind of Filipino pastry) in a basket near the counter.
Another Filipino shop, Pinoy Sari Sari on Mary Street, is bigger with more snacks on offer. The refrigerators stock aubergine, karela and okra, and the snacks section has pandesal (Filipino bread rolls), coconut gel in syrup and butter coconut biscuits.
Goldilocks polvoron, a popular Filipino shortbread
'The most popular packaged snacks that are widely available outside of the Philippines are Boy Bawang, Ding Dong, Piattos, Chiz Curlz, Sweet Corn, polvoron (a type of shortbread, usually the Goldilocks brand), and dried mangoes (any brand),' says Krissel Alcaraz, a Dublin-based Filipino-Australian food content creator known as
Porkyeah
on Instagram. 'Food is such a huge part of Filipino culture; after greeting someone, we usually say 'kumain ka na ba?', which means 'have you eaten?',' she says.
Boy Bawang Cornick, a packaged corn snack, is on the shelves at both Yes Kabayan and Pinoy Sari Sari. 'Boy Bawang is pretty popular – its literal translation from Tagalog (Filipino) is 'garlic boy'. Garlic is used in almost all of our savoury dishes,' says Alcaraz. 'I suppose Boy Bawang is the popular manufactured version of cornick or corn nuts, but I remember when I was a kid that people sold these in little plastic bags, packed full of salt and garlic. I saw vendors selling them on the streets, but it has now moved on to fancy-looking packaging.'
Alcaraz says the snacks here are far costlier than in the Philippines. 'The exchange rate is currently around €1 to 65 Philippine pesos. Boy Bawang, for example, can be bought in a popular high-end supermarket in the Philippines, for around 70 cent and would be even cheaper in 'sari-sari' stores (small convenience stores), but in Ireland it costs around €2. This is why every time I have the chance to visit the Philippines, I stock up a lot on snacks.'
Alcaraz was reared in
Australia
, but she loved Filipino snacks growing up there. 'It's also nostalgic to buy them now as an adult. I love checking out the Asian supermarkets here as it brings back memories of all the snacks I used to eat when I was still living in the Philippines as a kid.'
Browsing the aisles or shelves of grocery stores can hold special importance for immigrants seeking familiarity and comfort from home. Food, especially when coupled with nostalgia, is a powerful emotional connector. Packaged snacks have their own place in this realm, whether it be the memories they conjure, or simply having a stock of the familiar in a new country. These snacks at Dublin's immigrant-owned grocery stores are markers of what it feels like to have a home away from home, bringing communities together over a shared love of snacking.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Nuno Espirito Santo signs new contract but Nottingham Forest appear to make gaffe in statement announcing it
NOTTINGHAM FOREST appeared to make a major gaffe in their announcing of Nuno Espirito Santo's new contract. Forest, surprisingly, announced a new deal for their Portuguese gaffer early on Saturday morning. 4 Nuno Espirito Santo has been handed a new deal by Nottingham Forest Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK 4 The 51-year-old has inked a new three-year deal at the City Ground Credit: PA 4 Forest made a gaffe in their official statement announcing Nuno's new deal Credit: NOTTINGHAM FOREST The former Eagle-eyed fans spotted that Forest had mistakenly stated that Nuno inked an "x-year deal" in their statement announcing the new contract. A snippet of the club's official statement read: " "The Forest Head Coach has been handed a new x-year deal by owner Evangelos Marinakis ahead of the 2025/26 campaign." READ MORE FOOTBALL Nuno, 51, is over the moon to have extended his stay at the City Ground, which is set to host UEFA Conference League football this coming season. He said: "I am delighted to be able to continue our journey at this fantastic football Club. 'Since we arrived at Forest, we have worked extremely hard to create a special bond between the players, the fans and everyone at the Club, which helped us achieve great things last season. "I would like to thank our owner, Mr. Marinakis, for his constant support and backing. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 "It is important to me to share a strong relationship with our ownership and we have thoroughly enjoyed working together ever since I arrived at Forest. 'Now is the time to work harder than ever as we strive for more special memories together.' Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sends fans bold Champions League prediction Marinakis said of the new deal: "Nuno has made a great impact and performed very well during his time with us so far. 'He has demonstrated that he maximises player performance and is an expert at developing players, whilst also embedding our young talent into the first team set-up. 'We enjoy a strong and solid relationship together and, above all, we share the same dream and ambition of writing a new history for Nottingham Forest, competing in the Premier League and in Europe and winning trophies for our great club!' Forest will kick off their Premier League season on Saturday, August 17, away to Brighton. The Tricky Trees will play the first leg of their Conference League play-off on August 21.
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
€122 billion investment needed by 2030 to meet housing targets
A new survey reveals that a total investment of €121.6 billion is needed between now and 2030 if Ireland is to meet its housing targets. Deloitte's new Crane Survey Report found that an investment of €16.4 billion is required this year, rising to €17.2 bilion in 2026, €19.3 billion in 2027, €21.3 billion in 2028, €23.3 billion in 2029 and €24.1 billion by 2030 to achieve the Government's target of 60,000 homes a year. Deloitte said that given the scale of the challenge, Ireland is unlikely to reach or maintain the annual output of 60,000 homes. The Deloitte Crane Survey Report is a comprehensive analysis of construction activity across Irish cities, tracking what is being built and where and what this means for the country's economic and social priorities. The latest Crane Survey report estimates a total housing output of 33,000 this year, below the Government's target of 41,000. Risks to delivery in 2025 are "tilted to the downside", according to the report, which adds that in the absence of a "healthy planning pipeline" it is very difficult to see the required level of 60,000 homes a year being achieved in the first instance or maintained. A total of just over 30,230 new homes were delivered in 2024, a drop of 7% on 2023. Meanwhile, just 32,400 homes were granted planning permission last year, down 3%. Deloitte said this figure is "particularly stark" as it represents just two-thirds of what is needed each year if Ireland is to deliver the 60,000 homes a year required to meet current housing need and future population growth. Its analysis shows the drop in granted planning permissions was driven by a substantial reduction in the number of apartments which received planning, down 39% year on year. It noted that commencements soared to 69,060 units in 2024, up 121% year on year, but this was linked to expiring incentives, which were ultimately extended. Commencements have been subdued in the opening months of this year, it added. Deloitte said the Government's decision last month to extend planning permissions for schemes due to expire shortly is welcomed. It also said the recently announced reforms to the current Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) model are a welcome step in the right direction, but, on their own, are unlikely to yield a significant activation in commencements. Today's survey notes that just 895 purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces (PBSA) completed construction last year. This was down from 1,630 bedspaces in 2023 and represents the lowest level since Deloitte's records began in 2016. The delivery of PBSA bedspaces was confined to Cork and Dublin - with 620 at NovelBottle Works at the former Coca-Cola bottle factory on the Carrigrohane Road in Cork and 190 bedspaces at The Residence on Prussia Street in Dublin. The remaining bedspaces were delivered at Blackhall Place in Stoneybatter in Dublin where a refurbishment added an additional 80 beds. The report noted that by the end of the first quarter, 1,400 PBSA bedspaces were under construction across six schemes, compared to 1,160 bedspaces at the same time last year. Construction is spread across Galway, Dublin, Limerick and Kildare. Today's report also shows that completions in the Dublin office market rose last year to 169,500 square metres, a substantial increase on 2023 volumes of 95,400 square metres. But Deloitte said this rise was expected and should not be regarded as an indication of increased construction activity within the sector and reflects the completion of an overhang of stock. The report says that the only delivery expected in 2027 based on current construction statistics is 1 Adelaide Road, which is already pre-let in full. This means 2027 may be the first year since 2015 that no new office space will be delivered in the city, it added. Meanwhie, the volume of new rooms added to the hospitality market declined by 17% last year with just 1,358 new rooms. Some 4,060 rooms were under construction in the first quarter of this year, however, with Dublin absorbing the lion's share. This represents a significant rise on last year's Crane Survey (2,850 rooms) as several large hotels commenced construction, including at Dublin Airport, where 412 rooms are set to be delivered. In total, 1,410 new rooms are due to be added in 2025. A further 2,510 beds are due to be delivered in 2026, with the remaining beds under construction due to be delivered in 2027. Kate English, Chief Economist at Deloitte Ireland, said we are seeing cranes across the skyline, but not enough where they are needed most. "What this research reinforces is that the biggest issue facing Ireland right now isn't demand, it's supply. Whether it's homes, student beds, or affordable units, we're simply not building enough to meet the needs of a growing population and a resilient economy," Ms English said. "A stable policy environment is crucial in Ireland, as inconsistency in housing policy will deter and dampen investor confidence in Ireland. Without stability, capital will be redirected to jurisdictions offering more predictable and investor-friendly environments. This is not a hypothetical risk, it is a market reality," she cautioned.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Nuno Espirito Santo signs new deal at Forest, Liverpool ‘eye huge Guehi move', Spurs want Semenyo
THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are well underway with some huge deals in the pipeline. In other news, Elsewhere, Follow ALL the latest news, moves and completed deals with our live blog below... By BREAKING: Nuno signs new deal at Forest This morning, Nottingham Forest announced that manager Nuno Espírito Santo has penned a new deal with the club. The new contract sees the Portugese gaffer remain at the City Ground until 2028. Nuno was the brains behind last season's stunning campaign, with the Tricky Trees qualifying for a European competition for the first time since 1995/96. Speaking about his new deal, Nuno said: "I am delighted to be able to continue our journey at this fantastic football Club. "Since we arrived at Forest, we have worked extremely hard to create a special bond between the players, the fans and everyone at the Club, which helped us achieve great things last season. "I would like to thank our owner, Mr. Marinakis, for his constant support and backing. It is important to me to share a strong relationship with our ownership and we have thoroughly enjoyed working together ever since I arrived at Forest. "Now is the time to work harder than ever as we strive for more special memories together." Copy link Copied By Record deals Liverpool's stunning £116.5million signing of Florian Wirtz has made him the most expensive player in British history. Copy link Copied By Seagulls target Elliot Brighton are set to enter the race for Harvey Elliott - and have identified the Liverpool star as their key summer target. The England international's future at Anfield is unclear, and his playing time last season was limited under Arne Slot. That's put him on the radar of several clubs in England, and abroad, who are keen to secure the services of a versatile player who can operate in midfield or out wide. SunSport understands Brighton are now tracking the 22-year-old and see him as a player who can help take them to the next level. And sources say the presence of James Milner, Liverpool's former vice-captain, could help persuade Elliott to make the switch to the south coast. Copy link Copied By Still a Pal Fulham are eyeing a sensational swoop to bring Joao Palhinha back to the Cottage — just a year after he joined Bayern Munich for £48million. The Portuguese midfielder, 29, endured a nightmare debut season in Germany and could now be handed a Premier League lifeline. Palhinha still wants to fight for his spot in Munich but Copy link Copied By EXCLUSIVE: Martinez pushing for United Emiliano Martinez is desperately trying to push through a dream move to Manchester United. And Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim is weighing up his goalkeeping options and has not ruled out a new number one with No1 Andre Onana emerging as a target for Monaco. Amorim wants 'captains and leaders' in his squad and the United chief has been a long-term admirer of the Aston Villa stopper, 32, who has been named Fifa's best goalkeeper twice in the last three years. A source said: 'Emi is big pals with Argentina teammate Lisandro Martinez and is keen to move. He has already knocked back a couple of big hitters in the hope of joining United. 'Amorim is a huge admirer of his. He tried to sign him for Sporting in 2020 but lost out to Villa. He wants to fill the squad with captains and leaders and Emi fits the bill perfectly.' Copy link Copied By Como in Antony race Como have entered the race to sign Manchester United star Antony. Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Serie A side have tried to sign the Brazilian this week. However, Antony would prefer to return to Real Betis. Copy link Copied By Tino update Eddie Howe is in 'constant contact' with Tino Livramento as he looks to stave off Manchester City's interest in his star. And the Newcastle ace, 22, dropped the biggest hint yet that he will still be wearing Black and White next season due to the pair's 'amazing' relationship. Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of the versatile full-back and had been linked with an attempted £30m swoop. Copy link Copied By Partey stall Talks over a new deal for Thomas Partey have reportedly hit an impasse. The Guardian have claimed that the midfielder and Arsenal have not yet agreed on new terms. The midfielder is a free agent this summer and could be on the move without a transfer fee coming to the Gunners. Copy link Copied By Cherry move Bournemouth ace Daniel Jebbison is reportedly set for a move to the Championship. Sky Sports have claimed that the striker could join Preston on loan for the 2025/26 campaign. However, there will be no obligation for the deal to be made permanent. Copy link Copied By Zabarnyi offer Bournemouth have reportedly received a second offer from PSG for defender Illia Zabarnyi. Sky Sports claim that the improved offer is worth £55million. However, the Cherries have set a price-tag of £70m Copy link Copied By Another United exit? Manchester United could be set for another player to head to the exit door. Andre Onana is reportedly being eyed up for a move to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. Sky Sports have suggested that Monaco are keen to know what the Red Devils will demand for the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Copy link Copied By Fox incoming? Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss. The 21-year-old impressed at the King Power despite the club's relegation from the Premier League. Reports have claimed that Arsenal have an agreement with the player's agent. The Gunners will still have to agree on a fee with Leicester City to seal the deal. Copy link Copied By Done deals Here is a look at all of the deals that have been wrapped up by Premier League clubs this summer. Florian Wirtz - Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool - £ 116.5m Jeremie Frimpong - Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool - £29.5m Matheus Cunha - Wolves to Man Utd - £62.5m Dario Essugo - Sporting to Chelsea - £18m Caoimhin Kelleher - Liverpool to Brentford - £12.5m Liam Delap - Ipswich to Chelsea - £30m Antonio Cordero - Malaga to Newcastle - Undisclosed Jean-Clair Todibo - Nice to West Ham - Undisclosed Armin Pecsi - Puskas Akademia to Liverpool - Undisclosed Rayan Ait-Nouri - Wolves to Manchester City - £31m Mamadou Sarr - Strasbourg to Chelsea - £12m Marcus Bettinelli - Chelsea to Manchester City - Undisclosed Rayan Cherki - Lyon to Manchester City - £30.45m Tijjani Reijnders - AC Milan to Manchester City - £46.5m Charalampos Kostoulas - Olympiakos to Brighton - £29.78m Lukas Nmecha - Wolfsburg to Leeds - Free Mathys Tel - Bayern Munich to Tottenham - £30m Adrien Truffert - Rennes to Bournemouth - £14.4m Diego Coppola - Verona to Brighton - Undisclosed Copy link Copied By Wirtz speaks Florian Writz has spoken for the first time as a Liverpool player and insists he has high hopes. I'm so happy! I didn't come here to have fun… I'm here to win everything'. I would like to win everything every year! First of all, we have to do our work, I have to make my work. Florian Writz Liverpool Copy link Copied By Wirtz speaks Florian Writz has spoken for the first time as a Liverpool player and insists he has high hopes. I'm so happy! I didn't come here to have fun… I'm here to win everything'. I would like to win everything every year! First of all, we have to do our work, I have to make my work. Florian Writz Liverpool Copy link Copied By How Liverpool could line-up Here is one way that Liverpool could line up next season following the arrival of Florian Wirtz. The German could play in the midfield alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. Copy link Copied By How Wirtz will be paid? Florian Wirtz will be compensated generously following his switch to Liverpool. The midfielder has been made the club's third-highest-paid player with a weekly wage of £245,000. Copy link Copied By What are Liverpool getting? Florian Wirtz is one of the most exciting young talents in Europe. Last season at Bayer Leverkusen, he scored ten times and assisted 12 more in the Bundesliga. Copy link Copied By BREAKING: Liverpool annouce Wirtz Liverpool have announced the British record transfer of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The German has swapped Germany for Anfield in a stunning £116.5million transfer. Copy link Copied By Zubimendi 'signs' Arsenal have reportedly completed all the paperwork to seal the signing of Martin Zubimendi. Fabrizio Romano has claimed the midfielder has completed all "formal steps" in London. Copy link Copied By Martinez replacement? Aston Villa have lined up their replacement for the outgoing Emiliano Martinez. The Argetine appeared to wave goodbye to the club at the end of the season. Now ESPN have reported Lille shot-stopper Lucas Chevalier has been lined up by Villa chiefs as a replacement The French side are demanding £40m for the 23-year-old after Villa enquired about his availability. Copy link Copied By More Juve interest in Prem Juventus are also keen on raiding the Premier League for another star. The Italian side are in the race to reportedly register their interest in West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd. The Moroccan spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and helped the club keep an impressive defensive record. Copy link Copied By Carroll leaves Bordeaux Andy Carroll has left Bordeaux after one season in order to be closer to his family. The former West Ham and Newcastle striker joined the French side last summer despite it being in the Championnat National 2. Bordeaux confirmed his exit with a statement on social media. It read: "Andy is leaving us to be closer to his children. All the Club lovers thank you warmly for this season. "You will always be at home here. Safe travels and see you soon." Copy link Copied By Juve target Sancho Jadon Sancho is a reported target for Serie A giants Juventus. Sky Sports have claimed that the Italian club are exploring the conditions of a deal to sign the Manchester United outcast. Sancho has one year left on his deal with the Red Devils keen for a permanent move this summer. Copy link Copied By Juve target Sancho Jadon Sancho is a reported target for Serie A giants Juventus. Sky Sports have claimed that the Italian club are exploring the conditions of a deal to sign the Manchester United outcast. Sancho has one year left on his deal with the Red Devils keen for a permanent move this summer. Copy link Copied 1 …
