Building a Taste of Home

Marwan, originally from Gaza, Palestine, arrived in Belgium around five years ago. After completing his studies, he moved to Leuven three years ago and has stayed here ever since. Today, he is the owner of Bethlehem Supermarket, a shop that opened very recently and has already become a beloved spot in the neighborhood.

Marwan came to Belgium looking to improve his life and financial situation. When asked what inspired him to open his supermarket, he mentions a fellow business. “I was looking for a successful project to do here, and I saw that there wasn’t a shop like this one in Leuven. I was inspired by stores like Al Taj, with products from multiple countries. This is what I wanted to do here.” And he accomplished just that. At Bethlehem Supermarket, you will not only find Palestinian products, but also items from across the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.

Authentic Flavors and Ingredients

In this store, you will find just about everything: fresh vegetables, fruit (including remarkably large watermelons), and bread; a butcher section with a wide range of fresh halal meat; aisles and aisles filled with pantry products, from canned goods and spices to oils and cold meats; and, of course, a most impressive selection of dates. But Marwan says it’s the assortment of sweet snacks they have that excites customers the most. “Mostly those sweets we ate as little boys in our countries, we grew up eating them, but we can’t find them here. So, I bring them to my shop!”

Sharing Culture Through Food

It’s clear that Marwan and his shop will not be leaving Leuven anytime soon. When asked about the local community, he says it’s great to see how happy people are to have a store like this around. “I have a lot of customers from here. They come to ask about the products because it’s the first time they’ve seen them, and after they’ve tried them, they like them so much that they always come back. I end up seeing them almost every day.” Bethlehem Supermarket feels like a place that brings people together, and as Marwan speaks Dutch, English, and Arabic, it is also a multilingual space.

Marwan’s favorite thing to share from his home culture is food. For his friends here in Leuven, he loves to cook dishes like Maqluba, a traditional rice dish with vegetables and chicken or meat that is flipped upside down before serving, ending up looking like a sort of savory cake. There is also one custom from his culture that he wishes more people here knew about, and you will discover it if you visit Bethlehem Supermarket. Beyond cuisine, Marwan also values the traditions of hospitality he grew up with: "Like I did now with you, when new visitors come, we give them sweets. It means that they are welcome; it’s a habit.” (Marwan kindly offered sweets to the IHL team!)

Be sure to stop by this exciting new addition to Leuven's food scene, where you will likely find both familiar comforts and entirely new flavors.