Wing Yip (Croydon)

Student noteOne of the UK's oldest Chinese supermarkets — bloggers call it the 'Oriental Costco'. It's big enough that you need a trolley, and stocks things you won't find in regular supermarkets, even pickled shallots that'll transport any Cantonese person straight home. On Purley Way in Croydon, it's a good spot to stock up on a month's worth of Chinese groceries in one trip, and makes a decent half-day outing with family on weekends.