The Market at Mushrif Mall finally opened its doors for business yesterday, offering all the benefits of a traditional food souq – complete with soaring ceilings and ornate lampposts – in a shiny, modern and air-conditioned space.
Spanning more than 200,000 square feet, the Market houses more than 200 shops selling over 150,000 kilograms of fresh produce daily – no wonder it’s claiming to be the biggest, most technologically advanced and eco-friendly fresh-food market in the region.
The cavernous area is divided into three halls for seafood, meat, and fruit and vegetables, each adorned with stone carvings that reflect local culinary traditions.
The fish market is operated by the Abu Dhabi Fisherman’s Co-operative Society, which also operates Mina Fish Market. Tanks full of hammour and Canadian lobster – up to 5kg in weight – attract your attention as you enter. It is remarkably odour-free, and boasts stalls from India, Oman, Turkey, Yemen and Europe. The stalls are stacked with fresh catch, including wolf fish, Umami oysters and sturgeon. In the coming months, sellers are hoping to provide live sheri and Sultan Ibrahim, as well as freshwater fish – trout, Arctic char and salmon.
The meat and poultry section does the usual cuts, and then some more: lamb’s head and trotters, local rabbit from Al Baddal Farm, and a South African stall selling boerewors (beef sausage with South African spices), jerky and chilli bites. They’re hoping to introduce more exotic African meats soon, including impala and springbok.
The fruit and vegetable hall is generously stocked, and features a hydroponics educational centre, plus a selection of hydroponic vegetables, including herbs, lettuce and cucumber. There is also a salad and deli counter, and a range of cheeses made in Al Ain.
• The Market is open from 7am to 11pm daily
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