Ever walked into a grocery store and felt like you were on a wild goose chase for a ball of yarn that’s actually edible? That’s the kataifi struggle. One minute you’re watching a viral video of someone snapping a pistachio-filled "Dubai Chocolate Bar," and the next, you’re standing in the middle of a Kroger wondering if you’re hallucinating.
Honestly, finding this stuff used to be like a secret handshake between grandmothers in Athens or Istanbul. Now? It’s a full-blown trend. But because it’s so niche, it doesn’t usually sit next to the Pillsbury biscuits. If you’re asking yourself where can I find kataifi, you’ve got to know exactly which aisle to target before you lose your mind.
The Freezer Aisle Strategy
Most people make the mistake of looking in the baking aisle. They think, "Oh, it's dough, it'll be by the flour." Wrong.
In big-box stores like Walmart, Safeway, or Target, your best bet is almost always the frozen section. Specifically, look near the frozen pie crusts and puff pastry. If the store carries it, brands like Athens Foods or Apollo will be tucked away in a flat, rectangular box. It looks a bit like a frozen pizza box but thinner.
Here is the thing though: even if the app says it’s in stock, it might not be. I’ve been burned before. Large retailers often mislabel it as "shredded phyllo" or "kadayif." If you don't see those words, keep walking.
📖 Related: Bates Nut Farm Woods Valley Road Valley Center CA: Why Everyone Still Goes After 100 Years
Why you should check the "International" freezer
In many suburban supermarkets, they have a dedicated "Global" or "International Foods" freezer. Sometimes kataifi is exiled there, far away from the regular puff pastry. You’ll find it nestled between frozen empanada wrappers and paratha.
The Specialty Store Goldmine
If the big chains fail you—and they often do—you need to pivot to specialty markets. This is where the real-deal kataifi lives.
- Middle Eastern Groceries: Ask for "Kadayif." These stores usually have the freshest stock. You might find it frozen, but sometimes they have "dried" versions in bags that just need a little hydration and butter to come back to life.
- Greek Delis: Look for the brand Antoniou if you’re in Australia or parts of the UK. In the US, Kontos is a huge supplier for Greek markets.
- Mediterranean Bazaars: Shops like Mediterranean Bazaar or local mom-and-pop importers are the jackpot. They often stock 1lb (500g) bulk packs which are much cheaper than the tiny boxes at gourmet shops.
Ordering Online (When You’re Desperate)
Maybe you live in a town where the most exotic thing in the store is a jalapeño. If that’s the case, you’re going to have to wait for shipping.
Amazon and Etsy have become surprisingly reliable for kataifi. Sellers like Eastanbul or Mughe Gourmet ship dried or toasted versions that handle the mail much better than the raw frozen stuff. If you are specifically trying to make the viral Dubai chocolate, look for the "toasted" or "baked" versions—it saves you the step of frying it in butter, though honestly, the butter-fried version tastes better.
👉 See also: Why T. Pepin’s Hospitality Centre Still Dominates the Tampa Event Scene
Be careful with shipping costs. Because frozen kataifi requires cold packs, the shipping can sometimes cost more than the dough itself. If you go the online route, buy in bulk and shove the extras in your freezer. It stays good for months.
Can You Actually Make It?
I’ll be real with you: making kataifi from scratch is a labor of love (or madness).
It’s basically a very thin pancake batter made of flour, cornstarch, water, and a bit of oil. You put it in a squeeze bottle with a microscopic hole and "lace" it over a hot non-stick pan. It takes about 10 seconds to cook.
The problem? To get enough for one tray of kunafa, you’ll be standing over the stove for an hour. It’s tedious. But if you’re stuck in a "kataifi desert" and can't find it anywhere, a squeeze bottle and some patience will get the job done.
✨ Don't miss: Human DNA Found in Hot Dogs: What Really Happened and Why You Shouldn’t Panic
Quick DIY Ratio
If you're going for it, try 100g flour to 60g cornstarch and about 180g water. Strain it through a fine-mesh sieve twice. If there is even one tiny lump, it will clog your squeeze bottle and you will end up wanting to throw the pan out the window.
How to Handle It Once You Find It
Found it? Great. Don't ruin it.
Kataifi dries out faster than a New Year's resolution. The second you take it out of the package, cover it with a damp (not soaking) kitchen towel. If it gets brittle, it’ll snap into dust instead of staying in those beautiful long strands.
Most recipes will have you "fluff" the dough. You basically pull the strands apart with your fingers while drizzling on melted butter. It's oddly therapeutic.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Apps: Open the Walmart or Safeway app and search for "shredded phyllo" specifically. If it shows "out of stock," don't waste the gas.
- Google Maps Search: Search for "Middle Eastern Grocery" or "Halal Market" near you. These shops almost always have a freezer full of kadayif.
- Buy the Bulk Pack: If you find the 1lb bags, get two. You can freeze it indefinitely, and once you start making those chocolate bars or traditional kunafa, you'll go through it faster than you think.
- Thaw Properly: If you bought it frozen, move it to the fridge 24 hours before you need it. Do not microwave it to thaw, or you'll end up with a gummy mess.