SHOPPERS in Wokingham supermarket can now enjoy the world on their plate thanks to a new deli.
Tesco’s superstore on Finchampstead Road is the first venue for the new Kelly’s Market, the first of its kind in the country.
The concession serves freshly prepared hot and cold Asian fusion foods, with four main world food concepts to choose from: Chicken (CKN) and Bao, BamTuk, My Little Dim Sum, and Dos Mexicanas.
There are a number of dishes suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
For those planning to eat straight away, there is a Hot Food To Go counter, while a cold counter allows shoppers to pick up dishes to heat up for eating at home.
Amber Martin of Kelly’s Market said: “It’s designed for families, so that each person can choose what they would like to eat.
“There’s something for most people to enjoy here.”
Dishes in the CKN+ BAO range include Bao (open steamed buns) filled with duck, chicken or cauliflower. Also available is a sweet and savoury Chicken Waffle, and for vegetarians, a Cauliflower Waffle.
BamTuk is a South East Asian concept and dishes include Pancit Canton (noodles) with chicken, Pad Thais (noodle stir fry), and dishes such as Chilli Mango Chicken and Rice.
The My Little Dim Sum (asian dumplings and snack dishes) include Katsu Chicken Gyoza (Japanese style fried chicken and Chinese dumplings), closed filled bao buns, Edamame Dim Sum, Radish and Mushroom Bao, Chicken Teriyaki Bao, and Char Siu Pork Bao.
Dos Mexicanos range includes quesadilla (tortilla filled with cheese, meats and spices), doritos, Nacho Meatball Taco, Sweet Potato Taco, Hot Chicken Wings, and Guacamole.
Also at Kelly’s Market are Little Moons mochi ice-creams (ice-cream surrounded by a thin layer of soft dough), and a number of Japanese drinks and savoury snacks.
We tried six savoury dishes, as well as the Little Moons ice-cream, from the range.
The Chicken Bao from the CKN+BAO range was tasty and crunchy, and was hot but not too hot. The addition of red onion slices to garnish the chicken was welcome.
Radish Bau from the My Little Dim Sum range was flavourful, with a soft Chinese bun, and mushroom and radish filling.
“I would eat this whether I were vegan or not,” said one of our testers, who said they particularly enjoyed the dish.
Chicken and Waffle from the CKN+BAO range was exactly as described – a sweet maple syrup-drizzled waffle dressed with savoury crispy chicken pieces.
The distinctive combination works well, with the sweetness serving to intensify the flavours.
Pancit Canton Chicken from the BamTuk range mixes tasty savoury noodles with carrots, onion, pepper, pak choi and chicken pieces, while the Mighty Meatballs Quesailla is a Mexican style tortilla wrap filled with meat balls, beans and cheese.
When heated in the microwave this responded rather well, with the melting cheese adding to the flavour.
The Golden Custard Bun is charcoal coloured and filled with a soft yellow vanilla egg custard.
Like many Chinese desserts, it isn’t overwhelmingly sweet, allowing subtler flavours to emerge.
“I like the doughey, floury taste,” said one of our tasters.
The Little Moon ice-creams in Pistachio, Coconut, Belgian Chocolate and Yuzu and Lemon flavours were subtle and not too sweet, with the combination of ice-cream surrounded in a soft layer of mochi (soft rice dough) being very pleasant.
With all foods to go, there is always the issue of single use packaging, but most of the containers at the counter are made of cardboard, and some are compostable.
Shoppers at Tesco Wokingham will find Kelly’s Market at the rear of the store, and items are paid for along with groceries at the checkout.
Kelly’s Market will be available via Click and Collect from Wednesday, April 19.
