Little India blog

Shallots vs onions: how they differ, what Indian small onions (sambar onions) are, the Polish names to look for and how to cook, peel and store shallots. Read more: Shallots vs onions: Indian small onions, Polish names and how to cook them

Corn starch in Poland is skrobia kukurydziana. Learn the Polish names on packs, why mąka kukurydziana is different, what to use instead and where to buy it. Read more: Corn starch in Poland: what it is called on Polish packs and where to find it

Nido is a Nestlé milk powder known across Africa, Latin America and Asia. How to mix it, what to use it for, how to store it and where to find it in Poland. Read more: Nido milk powder: what it is, how to mix it and where to find it in Poland

Taro root (arbi, colocasia) is a starchy tuber that must always be cooked. How to peel and cook taro, Indian arbi recipes and the Polish names for it. Read more: Taro root (arbi, colocasia): what it is and how to cook it safely

Okra, also called bhindi or ladies finger, in Poland: its Polish names, how to choose it, how to cook it without slime, bhindi masala and where to buy okra. Read more: Okra (bhindi, ladies finger): how to cook it and where to buy it in Poland

Cassava (yuca, maniok in Polish) is a starchy root that is poisonous raw. How to peel, boil and cook cassava safely, what gari is and the Polish names. Read more: Cassava (yuca, maniok): what it is and how to cook it safely

Plantain vs banana: how a cooking plantain differs from a dessert banana, the ripeness stages, how to peel it and how to make tostones, dodo and kelewele. Read more: Plantain vs banana: the difference and how to cook plantain

Coriander (dhania, kolendra in Polish) gives fresh leaves, seeds and coriander powder. How they differ, how to use them and how to keep the leaves fresh. Read more: Coriander: fresh leaves, seeds and coriander powder in the kitchen

Fenugreek in Polish is kozieradka. The Polish names for methi seeds and kasuri methi, how to cook with each one and where to find them in Poland. Read more: Fenugreek in Poland: kozieradka, methi seeds and kasuri methi

Guava (amrud, guawa in Polish) is a tropical fruit with a strong scent and sweet-sour flesh. What it tastes like, how to eat it, choose it and store it. Read more: Guava fruit (amrud, amarud): what it tastes like and how to eat it

Cumin is jeera in Hindi and kmin rzymski in Polish, not kminek. How to use cumin seeds and ground cumin, how to make jeera rice, and what jeerakasala rice is. Read more: Cumin (jeera): seeds, ground cumin and what it is called in Poland

Turmeric powder is kurkuma mielona in Polish and haldi in Hindi. How to find it in a Polish shop, fresh or ground, how much to use and how to remove stains. Read more: Turmeric (haldi) in Poland: what it is called and how to use it

Tamarind sauce (imli chutney) is sweet and sour, for samosa and chaat; tamarind paste is sour, for curry and sambar. The difference, uses and Polish names. Read more: Tamarind sauce and tamarind paste: what they are and how to use them

Asafoetida (hing, asafetyda in Polish) is a strong-smelling resin that tastes like onion and garlic once fried. How much to use, how to cook and store it. Read more: Asafoetida (hing): what it is and how much to use

Rice flour is mąka ryżowa in Polish. What to look for on Polish packs, how it differs from glutinous rice flour and rice flakes, and how to use it. Read more: Rice flour in Poland: what it is called and where to find it

Jaggery (gur, goor) is unrefined cane sugar with a caramel taste. How to grate or melt a block, what to cook with it, how to store it and what to use instead. Read more: Jaggery (gur): unrefined cane sugar and how to use it

Basmati rice (ryż basmati in Polish): white, sella, steam, brown and broken. How to choose the type and brand for everyday rice or biryani, and how to cook it. Read more: Basmati rice: types, brands and how to cook it

Indian spices to buy first: cumin, turmeric, coriander, chilli, mustard seeds, cardamom and garam masala, with their Polish names and how to use them. Read more: Indian spices: a starter kit for your kitchen in Poland

Indian incense sticks (agarbatti, kadzidełka in Polish): masala, dipped, cones and dhoop. The main scents, brands such as Satya and Hem, and safe burning. Read more: Indian incense sticks: types, scents and how to choose them

Buldak is Samyang's Korean instant noodle with a very spicy chicken flavour. What it is, how hot the versions are, how to cook it and how to make it milder. Read more: Buldak noodles: what they are, how spicy they are and how to cook them

Sriracha and Tabasco are the best-known hot sauces. How they differ in taste, heat and use, plus sambal oelek, gochujang and their names in a Polish shop. Read more: Sriracha vs Tabasco: how the two hot sauces differ and what to use them for

Oyster sauce is salty and savoury, hoisin is sweet and thick. How they differ, how to cook with them, vegan oyster sauce, and their names in Polish. Read more: Oyster sauce and hoisin sauce: the difference and how to use them

Chutney is an Indian relish of fruit, herbs or vegetables. The main types, what to serve them with, a simple mango chutney recipe and where to buy it. Read more: Mango chutney recipe: what chutney is, the main types and how to make it

A tandoor oven is a clay oven for naan and tandoori chicken. How it works, which tandoori masala to buy, and tandoori chicken in a normal oven. Read more: Tandoori at home: the tandoor oven, tandoori masala and tandoori chicken without a tandoor

Indian sweets (mithai) include kaju katli, halwa and soan papdi. What each one is, how to make sooji halwa at home, and where to buy Indian sweets in Poland. Read more: Indian sweets: kaju katli, halwa, soan papdi and a sooji halwa recipe

Chapati and roti are flatbreads of wholewheat atta, naan is a leavened tandoor bread. The difference, a chapati recipe, and which atta flour to buy in Poland. Read more: Roti, chapati and naan: the difference, and how to make chapati at home

Papadum (papad, poppadom) is a thin Indian lentil wafer. How to cook it in the microwave, in a pan, over a flame or in oil, and where to buy it. Read more: How to cook papadum: in the microwave, in a pan, over a flame and in oil

Chana masala is a North Indian chickpea curry in an onion and tomato sauce. A step-by-step recipe, plus the difference between chana, chana dal and chanachur. Read more: Chana masala recipe: chickpea curry, and what chana dal is

Pani puri are crisp hollow puris filled with potato and spicy mint and tamarind water. A step-by-step recipe, ingredients and where to buy them. Read more: Pani puri recipe: how to make golgappa at home

Indian store in Kraków: Little India at ul. Starowiślna 38. Address, opening hours, phone number, and a shopping list for your first Indian meal at home. Read more: Indian store in Kraków: Little India on Starowiślna Street

Indian store in Wrocław: Little India at ul. Szczytnicka 32/34. Address, opening hours, phone number and what to buy for Indian home cooking. Read more: Indian store in Wrocław: Little India on Szczytnicka Street

Indian store in Gdańsk: Little India at ul. Klonowa 1. Address, opening hours, phone number and what to buy for everyday cooking and before Diwali. Read more: Indian store in Gdańsk: Little India on Klonowa Street

Fresh ginger, adrak in Hindi and imbir świeży in Polish: how to pick a good root, keep it fresh for weeks, and make ginger-garlic paste at home. Read more: Fresh ginger (adrak): how to choose, store and use it in Indian cooking

Ragi (finger millet), jowar (juwar, sorghum) and bajra (pearl millet) flours: how they differ, their Polish names, and how to make a soft millet roti. Read more: Ragi, jowar and other millet flours: what they are and how to cook with them

The drumstick vegetable is the long green pod of the moringa tree, laska moringi in Polish. How to choose, cut, cook and eat it, with a simple drumstick sambar. Read more: Drumstick vegetable: what it is, its Polish name and how to cook it

Bhatmas is the Nepali word for soybeans; khairo bhatmas are brown soybeans, soja brązowa in Polish. How to roast them and make bhatmas sadheko at home. Read more: Bhatmas in English: brown soybeans, and how to roast them the Nepali way

A guide to black tea bags for expats in Poland: Assam, Ceylon and chai blends, the Polish words on the box, how to brew them and where to buy. Read more: Black tea bags: Assam, Ceylon and Indian chai blends explained

Indian hair oil explained: coconut, amla, almond and herbal blends, what is in each bottle, how people use them and the Polish name, olejek do włosów. Read more: Indian hair oil: amla, coconut, almond and herbal blends compared

Which Indian pressure cooker size to buy: 2, 3 or 5 litre, induction or gas, inner or outer lid, Hawkins or Prestige, and the Polish word szybkowar. Read more: Indian pressure cooker: which size to buy, and what to check before you buy

Jasmine rice vs basmati: how they differ in grain, smell and texture, which dishes each suits, how to cook them and the Polish names on the bag. Read more: Jasmine rice vs basmati rice: the differences and which one to buy

Maggi, Indomie, Current and Wai Wai instant noodles compared: where each comes from, how they taste, how hot they are and how to cook them well. Read more: Maggi, Indomie, Current and Wai Wai: instant noodles compared

What fufu and egusi are, how to make fufu from flour, a simple egusi soup, the Polish names of the ingredients and where to buy fufu in Poland. Read more: Fufu and egusi: West African staples and how to cook them at home

Semai is thin wheat vermicelli, wermiszel in Polish. Learn the types, lachha semai, and cook a simple sweet semai with milk, cardamom and nuts. Read more: Semai (vermicelli): what it is, the types, and a simple sweet semai recipe

Looking for an Indian shop in Poland? Little India has 6 shops in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk and delivers Indian groceries across Poland. Read more: Indian shop in Poland: where to buy Indian groceries online and in shops

Indian store in Warsaw: addresses, opening hours and phone numbers of the three Little India shops in Mokotów, Śródmieście and Wola, and what they sell. Read more: Indian store in Warsaw: the three Little India shops

Paneer in Poland: what it is called in Polish, why twaróg is not the same, where to buy paneer, what to use instead and how to make it at home. Read more: Paneer in Poland: the Polish name, where to buy it and what to use instead

Fresh coconut, coconut milk and coconut water are three different things. How to choose a coconut, open it at home and cook with coconut milk. Read more: Coconut milk, coconut water and fresh coconut: how to choose a coconut and open it

Medjool dates are a large, soft date variety with a caramel taste. How they differ from ordinary dried dates, how to store them and what to make with them. Read more: Medjool dates: what they are and how they differ from ordinary dates

Yam is a starchy tuber from Africa and Asia that must always be cooked. How it differs from sweet potato, how to peel and cook it, and its Polish name. Read more: Yam: what it is, how it differs from sweet potato and how to cook it

Real saffron is the red threads of the crocus flower. How to tell it from fakes, what the Iranian saffron grades mean and how much saffron to use in a dish. Read more: Saffron (kesar): how to spot real saffron and how much to use

Butter beans in Polish are "fasola maślana" or "fasola półksiężycowata". How to find them in a Polish shop, how to soak and cook them, and what to make. Read more: Butter beans in Poland: what they are called and how to cook them

Green cardamom (elaichi) and black cardamom (badi elaichi) are two different spices. How they differ, how to use them and how to make cardamom tea. Read more: Green and black cardamom (elaichi): differences and uses

Gram flour, or besan, is chickpea flour. How to use it in Indian cooking, a simple onion bhaji recipe, and what it is called in Polish shops. Read more: Gram flour (besan): what it is, how to use it and what it is called in Poland

Mustard oil (sarson ka tel) and mustard seeds (rai) in Indian cooking: how to use them, how to read the oil label, and their Polish names in shops. Read more: Mustard oil and mustard seeds in Indian cooking

Cashews (kaju, orzechy nerkowca in Polish) come in grades W180, W240, W320 and as splits. What the codes mean and how to use cashews in Indian cooking. Read more: Cashew nuts: grades W180 to W320, Polish names and how to cook with them

Ripe papaya is a sweet fruit to eat raw; green papaya is a vegetable for salads and curries. How to choose, peel and prepare both, and the Polish names. Read more: Green and ripe papaya: how to eat it, cook with it and find it in Poland

Green, golden and dark raisins differ in grape variety and drying. How each tastes, how to use them in Indian cooking and what they are called in Polish. Read more: Green, golden and black raisins: the difference and how to use them

Kalonji or nigella seeds, czarnuszka in Polish, are small black seeds with a slightly bitter, oniony taste. How to use them in Indian cooking and where to buy. Read more: Kalonji (nigella seeds): how to use them, and what they are called in Poland

Curry leaves (kadi patta, liście curry in Polish) are the fragrant leaves of the curry tree, key to South Indian cooking. How to use, store and buy them. Read more: Fresh curry leaves: how to use them, store them and find them in Poland

Semolina, suji and rava are wheat semolina, fine or coarse. What the names mean, what semolina is called in Polish, which to choose, and how to cook upma. Read more: Semolina, suji and rava: types, Polish names and an upma recipe

Ghee and clarified butter (masło klarowane in Polish) are pure butterfat without water or milk solids. How they differ, how to use them and how to make ghee. Read more: Ghee and clarified butter: the difference, the Polish name and how to use them

Makhana (phool makhana, fox nuts) are light, crunchy puffed seeds of a water plant, sold as lotus seeds. What they are, how to roast them and how to serve them. Read more: Makhana (fox nuts): roasted "lotus seeds" as a snack

Fennel seeds (saunf) are nasiona kopru włoskiego in Polish. How to find them in a Polish shop, how not to confuse them with dill or anise, and how to cook. Read more: Fennel seeds (saunf) in Poland: what they are called and how to find them

Corn grits are coarsely ground dried maize, grys kukurydziany in Polish. How they differ from polenta and corn flour, how to cook them and what to make. Read more: Corn grits: what they are called in Poland and how to cook them

A guide to Haldiram's snacks in Poland: bhujia, sev, navrattan, khatta meetha and other namkeen, plus soan papdi and ready meals, and how to serve them. Read more: Haldiram snacks: a guide to bhujia, mixtures, sweets and ready meals

A dictionary of Indian ingredients with their English and Polish names: spices, flours, dals, dairy and vegetables, so you can find them in a Polish shop. Read more: Indian ingredients and their Polish names: a dictionary for expats

Masoor, toor and urad dal explained for cooks in Poland: what the names on the pack mean, the Polish names, cooking times and a simple dal tadka. Read more: Types of dal: masoor, toor and urad, and how to cook them

Moong dal is hulled, split mung beans. Whole, split and yellow moong explained, with Polish names (fasola mung), cooking times, khichdi and sprouts. Read more: Moong dal and mung beans: whole, split and yellow

Achar is Indian pickle: fruit or vegetables in oil with salt and spices. Mango, lime, mixed and naga pickle, how to eat them and where to buy them in Poland. Read more: Indian pickle (achar): the main types and how to serve them

Amla, the Indian gooseberry, is a sour, astringent fruit, called agrest indyjski in Polish. How it tastes, how to eat it, amla preserves and where to buy it. Read more: Amla (Indian gooseberry): what it is and how to eat it

Chayote, called chow chow in South India and kolczoch jadalny in Polish, is a mild gourd. How to peel and cook it, kootu and poriyal ideas, and storage. Read more: Chayote (chow chow): what it is and how to cook it

Paratha recipes for cooks in Poland: potato-stuffed aloo paratha and layered lachha paratha, which Polish flour works, and how to cook frozen paratha. Read more: Aloo paratha and lachha paratha: how to make paratha at home

Idli and dosa from one fermented batter of idli rice and urad dal: the recipe, how to get it to ferment in a cold Polish flat, and what to buy. Read more: Idli and dosa recipe: South Indian breakfast at home in Poland

Jalebi is an Indian sweet of batter spirals fried and soaked in syrup. What it tastes like, a quick home recipe and where to buy Indian sweets in Poland. Read more: Jalebi: what it is and how to make it at home

Star anise (chakra phool; in Polish anyż gwiazdkowaty or badian) is a star-shaped spice that tastes of liquorice. How to use it, safety and where to buy it. Read more: Star anise: how to use it, and what it is called in Polish

Ceylon tea is black tea from Sri Lanka. What Pure Ceylon means, how to read leaf grades, how to brew it and which brands to look for in Poland. Read more: Ceylon tea: how to choose it, what the labels mean and how to brew it

Green chillies, mild Kashmiri chilli, small bird's eye chillies and crispy chilli oil: how to use each one and what they are called in a Polish shop. Read more: Kashmiri chilli, bird's eye and green chillies: which one to use and how to find them in Poland

Sabja, tukmaria or falooda seeds are basil seeds that turn jelly-like in water. How to soak them, what to add them to, and the Polish name for them. Read more: Sabja (basil seeds): what they are and how to soak them

Ajwain or carom seeds are called kminek koptyjski in Polish. How to use ajwain in Indian cooking, a simple paratha recipe and what to use instead. Read more: Ajwain (carom seeds): the Polish name and how to use it

Mace, javitri in Hindi, is called kwiat muszkatołowy in Polish. How to find it in a Polish shop, how it differs from nutmeg and how to use it in biryani. Read more: Mace (javitri) in Poland: what it is called and how to use it

Soya chunks are dried pieces of defatted soy flour, called kawałki sojowe in Polish. How to soak and squeeze them, jumbo vs mini, and a soya chunks curry. Read more: Soya chunks: types, how to cook them and a simple curry

Black-eyed beans (lobia, chawli) are called fasola czarne oczko in Polish. How to soak and cook them, a lobia masala recipe and where to buy them in Poland. Read more: Black-eyed beans (lobia): how to cook them, plus lobia masala

Sago or sabudana are tapioca pearls made from cassava starch. How to soak them, a sabudana khichdi recipe, the sago vs tapioca question and the Polish names. Read more: Sago (sabudana) and tapioca: what they are and how to cook them

Custard powder in Poland: how it compares with Polish budyń, how to make custard from powder, a fruit custard recipe and where to buy Bird's custard. Read more: Custard powder in Poland: how to make custard and fruit custard

Horlicks, Ovaltine, Milo, Bournvita, Maltina and Pony Malta compared: malt powders for milk and fizzy malt drinks, their taste, origin and how to serve them. Read more: Horlicks, Ovaltine, Milo, Maltina: malted drinks compared

Inca Kola is a sweet yellow soda from Peru; Guaraná Antarctica is a Brazilian soda flavoured with guarana. How they taste and what to drink them with. Read more: Inca Kola and Guaraná Antarctica: two South American sodas

Where to find harina PAN, panela, achiote, El Rey cinnamon and green plantains in Poland, with the Polish names and what each one is used for. Read more: Latin American groceries in Poland: harina PAN, panela, achiote and more

Diwali 2026 falls on 8 November. A shopping list for Diwali in Poland: diyas, lamp oil, rangoli colours, pooja items and sweets, with their Polish names. Read more: Diwali 2026 in Poland: what to buy and how to celebrate away from home

Raksha Bandhan is the Indian festival of brothers and sisters: a sister ties a rakhi on her brother's wrist. Here is the ritual and how to mark it in Poland. Read more: Raksha Bandhan: the rakhi festival, and how to mark it in Poland

Holi is the Indian festival of colours, held in spring on a full-moon day. Its origins, how to use Holi colour powder safely and how to celebrate in Poland. Read more: Holi, the festival of colours, and how to celebrate it in Poland

Camphor (kapur, kamfora in Polish) is burned during aarti and puja. How to burn it safely, how to store it, and why ritual camphor is never food. Read more: Camphor (kapur) for aarti and puja: what it is for and how to use it

Mysore Sandal soap from Karnataka: the classic sandalwood bar and the rose, lavender and jasmine bars compared, with their Polish names and where to buy. Read more: Mysore Sandal soap: the classic sandalwood bar and the rose, lavender and jasmine variants

How to use the Himalaya neem face gel: a rinse-off gel wash with neem. The steps, how often people use it, and the other neem products on the shelf in Poland. Read more: Himalaya neem face gel: how to use it, step by step

A miswak (siwak) is a twig of the arak tree used to clean the teeth. How to prepare and store a miswak stick, and where to find miswak toothpaste in Poland. Read more: Miswak stick (siwak): what it is and how to use it

Petroleum jelly in Poland is sold as wazelina. Which label to look for, why wazelina techniczna is not for skin, and where to buy Vaseline in Poland. Read more: Petroleum jelly in Poland: what it is called and where to find it

Indian grocery online with delivery in Warsaw and across Poland: how to order from Little India, find products by Polish or Hindi name, and get fresh produce. Read more: Indian grocery online with delivery in Warsaw and across Poland: how ordering works

Indian store online Poznań: Little India has no shop in Poznań but delivers orders there. How to order, a first dal-and-rice basket, and the Wrocław shop. Read more: Indian store online Poznań: how to order Indian groceries with delivery

Indian store online Katowice: Little India has no shop in Silesia but delivers there. A South Indian basket of ponni, idli rice and sambar, and the Kraków shop. Read more: Indian store online Katowice and Gliwice: South Indian groceries delivered

Indian store online Szczecin: Little India has no shop in Szczecin but delivers there. Nepali and Pakistani groceries, a note on spices, and the Gdańsk shop. Read more: Indian store online Szczecin: Indian, Nepali and Pakistani groceries

Indian store online Bydgoszcz and Toruń: Little India has no shop here but delivers orders across Kuyavia. How to order and what to get for Diwali. Read more: Indian store online Bydgoszcz and Toruń: Indian groceries delivered

Indian store online Lublin: Little India has no shop in Lublin but delivers orders there. How to order okra, coriander and ginger, and when to visit Warsaw. Read more: Indian store online Lublin: fresh vegetables and Indian groceries delivered

Indian store online Łódź: Little India has no shop in Łódź but delivers orders there. Haldiram's snacks, ready meals and sweets for days without cooking. Read more: Indian store online Łódź: snacks, sweets and ready meals delivered

Order fresh Indian vegetables online in Poland: okra, drumstick, taro, karela, green chillies, ginger and coconut. When fresh produce ships and how to store it. Read more: Fresh vegetables online in Poland: Indian okra, drumstick and taro delivered

South Indian rice online in Poland: ponni, matta, kaima, seeraga samba and sona masoori. How they differ, how to cook them, and how to order. Read more: South Indian rice online in Poland: ponni, matta, kaima and sona masoori

Indian ready meals online in Poland: ready-to-eat curries and dal in pouches, rice meals, instant soups and mixes. How to heat each type and what to add. Read more: Indian ready meals online in Poland: ready-to-eat curries, dal, rice and soups

An Asian grocery store online in Poland: Indian, Nepali, Thai, Korean, Chinese, African, Middle Eastern and Latin American food, spices and cosmetics delivered. Read more: Asian grocery store online in Poland: Indian, Thai, Korean, African and Latin American food delivered