One of my favourite things to do when I travel is to explore the local supermarkets, apart from sightseeing and eating of course. I don’t know why, but I find it oddly satisfying to wander through the aisles, check out the local produce, and discover interesting products that I’d never find back home in Singapore. It’s like a little adventure on its own. Instead of museums and monuments, I’m exploring biscuits, chocolates, cheeses and drinks, haha!
So every time the hubby and I head back to the UK, you can bet I’m practically bouncing with excitement the moment we step into a supermarket. I can easily spend ages hunting for good deals, comparing prices, and loading up my trolley like there’s no tomorrow. And honestly? With how expensive groceries are in Singapore, can you blame me? Everything here is imported, so even basic stuff costs a bomb. But in the UK, I can actually shop without wincing at every price tag, even with the strong pound!
If you’re familiar with UK supermarkets, you’ve probably heard of ALDI. It’s this German supermarket chain that’s become ridiculously popular for its solid house brand products and impressively low prices. It’s neck and neck with Lidl (another German supermarket) for being the cheapest option around.
Today, I’m sharing all my ALDI favourites – stuff I either devour immediately or pack into my suitcase to smuggle home. Let’s dive in!
My ALDI UK Must Buys
1. Everyday Essentials Chocolate Bars
100g chocolate bars for just 36p each. That’s like S$0.62! I can’t even buy a chocolate bar at this price in Singapore. They come in milk, dark, and white chocolate. And honestly, they’re perfect for everything. Snacking? Check. Baking? Double check. Chop them up and throw them into brownies or muffins for that extra chocolatey goodness. No-brainer purchase every single time.
2. Specially Selected All Butter Cookies
Look, I know many people rave about M&S cookies, but hear me out – ALDI’s Specially Selected range is seriously good. These all-butter cookies are so buttery and crumbly. The butter quality in the UK is just on another level, you know? And the best part? They taste just as good (sometimes better!) than the fancy branded stuff, but without the atas price tag. Why pay more when you don’t have to?
3. Specially Selected Cheese Bites
These little cheese bites are really cheesy and delicious. I’ve tried similar ones from other brands before, but none come close. The cheese flavour here is much richer, which is why I always find myself coming back for these.
4. Diplomat Super Teas
Sure, English Breakfast Tea is the UK staple, but there’s a whole world of tea beyond that! These Diplomat Super Teas are functional blends with added vitamins and herbal ingredients – think relaxation, better sleep, immunity boost, that sort of thing. They’re perfect if you want to switch things up from your usual cuppa.
5. Village Bakery Mini Bites
These are our official road trip snacks! I’m usually the designated feeder while the hubby drives, haha. His favourite is the Jammy Jack flavour. They are sticky, sweet, and perfect for that mid-drive sugar rush.
6. Holly Lane Cakes
ALDI’s Holly Lane range is basically a treasure trove of British baked goods. We’re talking Swiss rolls, brownies, Battenberg cake, even Irish Whiskey Cake! They’re all baked in Britain, nicely packaged, and make great little gifts… assuming you don’t eat them all yourself first. (Speaking from experience here, oops.)
7. Dessert Menu Frozen Cheesecakes
Wait for it – these are 85p each. EIGHTY-FIVE PENCE for a proper cheesecake! I always stock up and stash them in the freezer so we have dessert on demand. And they’re actually really good too – creamy, tangy, hits all the right spots. For that price? Come on!
8. Belmont Biscuits
Nothing fancy here, just really solid buttery biscuits covered in decent chocolate. They’re lovely with afternoon tea or coffee. Sometimes simple is best, right?
9. Vive Orange Zero Sugar
This brand of orange soda tastes pretty similar to Fanta Orange, except it’s sugar-free. Price is super cheap too. Definitely worth grabbing a few bottles.
10. Inspired Cuisine Ready-to-Eat Meals
ALDI’s Inspired Cuisine range of ready-to-eat meals is perfect for lazy days when you don’t feel like cooking or eating out. They’ve got everything from carbonara to cottage pie, and the portion sizes are decent. Plus, they actually taste good! Not like sad microwave food at all.
11. Emporium British Cheese Selection
For just £3+, you get a 320g pack with four different British cheeses. The Wensleydale with Cranberries? OMG. Fruity, creamy, so festive-tasting. I could eat a whole block of that with crackers and nuts!
12. Specially Selected Macarons
Six macarons for £2. SIX! And they’re genuinely nice – sweet, chewy, a little fancy-feeling without the fancy price tag. In Singapore, you’d pay at least 4 times more for these. Score!
13. Chilled & Frozen Desserts
If you enjoy sweet treats like me, you’d definitely love ALDI’s chilled and frozen desserts. There’s always something new to try because the variety is simply massive. Think strawberry cheesecakes, crème brûlée, churros, panna cotta, eclairs, choux buns, and so much more.
14. The Deli Brussels Pâté
I’m not usually huge on pâté because sometimes it can taste too… liver-y? But this brand doesn’t have that unpleasant aftertaste. It’s smooth, creamy and delicious. Pairs really well with plain crackers. Or you can use this as a spread for banh mi sandwiches.
15. Assorted Sandwiches & Wraps
Remember those amazing convenience store sandwiches from Japan? The ones from 7-Eleven and Family Mart? ALDI’s sandwich selection gives me those same vibes. Soft bread, generous fillings, loads of variety. Perfect for a light bite.
They do wraps too if that’s what you like.
16. Bramwells Lighter Than Light Mayonnaise
This is 85p. EIGHTY-FIVE PENCE for actually good mayo! I use mayo all the time – sandwiches, salads, you name it – so this is such a steal. If only we could get these prices in Singapore, sigh.
17. Maltesers Cake Bars & Chocolate Spread
I’d never seen these in Singapore before. The cake bars are delicious (obviously, it’s Maltesers). And the chocolate spread? Absolutely dangerous. So thick and chocolatey!
18. Skinny Dream Snack Bars
I’ve spotted these at Poundland before, but they were actually cheaper at ALDI when they were on promo. Each bar has less than 100 calories and they don’t have that weird artificial taste you sometimes get with other so-called “healthy” snack bars. Great to keep in your bag for when you need a quick energy boost.
19. Moser-Roth Hot Chocolate Stirrers
These are so indulgent! Just warm up some whole milk, pop one of these chocolate sticks in and stir until it melts. You’ll get the most luxurious hot chocolate ever!
20. The Juice Company Smoothies
The Juice Company smoothies are honestly amazing. The pineapple and banana one is my jam – smooth, naturally sweet, really refreshing. I don’t even drink smoothies regularly, but I could easily have this multiple times a week.
21. Snackrite Pretzels
The Honey Mustard & Onion one is my absolute favourite. Sweet, tangy, savoury. Impossible to stop eating once you’ve opened the bag!
Why I Keep Coming Back To ALDI
Look, I could honestly keep going because there are so many other ALDI products I love, but this post would turn into a novel! The point is – if you’re heading to the UK anytime soon, do yourself a massive favour and pop into an ALDI. Grab a basket, take your time wandering the aisles, and prepare to find some absolute gems at prices that’ll make you want to cry happy tears (especially if you’re used to Singapore grocery prices).