Darvish

If Iranian ingredients are on your shopping list, duck down this Kodenmacho backstreet and pay a visit to Darvish. This import shop sells Iranian dates, pomegranate juice, rose jam, various dried fruits (including dried lemon for use in stews and soups), Iranian honey, halal meats and various other essentials. (You can also pick up a winter supply of Iranian pomegranates for a reasonable price.) The bearded proprietor, Uncle Hasan – easily spotted by his trademark attire of black hat and Rolling Stones T-shirt – is an exceedingly nice chap. So nice, in fact, that he may even treat you to a free cup of Persian chai; he’s also been known to entertain customers by playing music, singing songs and reciting poetry, and shares his shop with a pet java sparrow (as you do).