Karthika Ganapathy, a Chennai-based finance professional, has several culinary-focussed Google Lists on-hand. From ingredients and snacks to meats and cookware, she whips out these lists when on holiday or shares them with a travelling friend who can help her check off must-buys. Read more | Supermarket tourism offers an insight into local culture‘Will travel for food’ is long past just a slogan on a T-shirt, with several travellers like Karthika tailoring their itineraries solely around a region’s culinary offerings. Once termed ‘grocery tourism’, the new hashtag is ‘Shelf Discovery’ with Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 report noting a rise in travellers exploring grocery stores to experience destinations. Travel predictions for this year by booking.com include a boom in ‘Shelfie Souvenirs,’ or grocery finds that replace traditional keepsakes, given that 84% of Indian travellers are open to buying design-led kitchen or pantry staples when on holiday.
A child and his mother picking groceries at the farmers market
| Photo Credit:
MStudioImages
Southeast Asia and West Asia are Karthika’s favoured destinations. “When visiting the former, I shop for local ramen, pandan leaves that are my go-to for baking, fresh ube, and more. I have lived in West Asia for a while and still source my zaatar, dates and rose water from trusted vendors there. On holiday, I always set aside one suitcase to bring back such delicacies,” she says, adding that a road trip across the Northeast last year had her glued to local markets. “I shopped for spices like dried chillies, gondhoraj limes, greens, and bamboo shoots. and would cook in my Airbnb. I always ask my hosts for recommendations and even ask locals and chefs for suggestions for lesser-known ingredients or restaurants to visit.”
