Building a Taste of Home

Al Taj opened in 2019, but the story behind the shop began years earlier. Dheyaa, who is Kurdish, previously worked in a Polish supermarket in the Netherlands and developed a strong appreciation for Polish culture. After moving to Leuven, he decided to open two neighboring shops: Malinka, focused on Polish food, in 2017, and later Al Taj, centered on products from his home culture.

A similar story can be found at Mediterranee Markt. Owner Jyar previously ran a Turkish restaurant before deciding to try something different. “There are almost a thousand different products to organize,” he says, “but I enjoy the challenge.” Today, the shop brings together products from countries including Turkey, Morocco, Lebanon, and Syria, creating a space filled with flavors and ingredients from across the region.

Authentic Flavors and Ingredients

At Al Taj, customers especially love the fresh fruit and vegetables, tahini, phyllo dough, and halal meat selection. According to Dheyaa and Sandra, who works in his other store, Malinka, the connection between the two neighboring shops has created an interesting cultural exchange in Leuven, with customers regularly moving between them and discovering new cuisines and products along the way.

Meanwhile, Mediterranee Markt is known for its fresh vegetables and fruit imported from Morocco and Turkey, as well as grape leaves, olives, pickles, cheeses, black tea, and six different types of bread. Many customers are especially impressed to learn that fresh mint is brought all the way from Morocco.

For Jyar, some of the flavors that remind him most of home are simple but meaningful: tea and bread. He also enjoys sharing dishes from his culture with friends in Belgium, and his mother’s Adana kebab has become a favorite among them. At Al Taj, food remains a strong connection to home as well. For Dheyaa, dolma is one of his favorite dishes to share with others.

Sharing Culture Through Food

Both shops have become gathering places within Leuven’s international community. At Al Taj, Dheyaa and Sandra enjoy seeing customers from different backgrounds interact and discover products from neighboring cultures. More than anything, they emphasize the importance of sharing food as a cultural habit and a way of bringing people together.

For Jyar, students are a big part of what gives Leuven its energy. “Students are what keep Leuven alive,” he says. Although he appreciates the calm and safety of the city, he believes the international student community is what truly makes Leuven feel vibrant.

Beyond the food itself, both stores also keep cultural traditions alive. Jyar highlights Eid as one of the most important celebrations in Muslim culture, as well as Nowruz, the celebration of spring on March 21st. He is especially happy to see that Leuven even hosts Nowruz celebrations in the Grote Markt, bringing different communities together in the heart of the city.

Whether you are looking for ingredients from home, curious to discover new cuisines, or interested in the traditions behind them, Al Taj and Mediterranee Markt offer a glimpse into the diverse food culture that shapes Leuven today.

Find the shops

Al Taj

Where? Kolonel Begaultlaan 3, 3012 Wilsele
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