My Thought On Watching Jackfruit Opening at Raya, Borough Market

I recently wrote a post about Khanom Krok, and I found out that the shop also runs a Thai supermarket inside Borough Market where they source their ingredients. But that alone wasn't the reason I wanted to come and make a video.

There are plenty of supermarkets in London, but not many where you’ll find jackfruit cut open daily, sugar cane pressed fresh, and exotic fruits you rarely see outside Asia. Raya Grocery at Borough Market is one of those places.

Jackfruit at Raya, Borough Market

When you see a giant spiky fruit at the stall, you might think it’s durian, but there is also a chance that it's jackfruit. Jackfruit is less spikey than Durian. And Raya does a jackfruit opening almost every day at 1:00 PM, and it’s always a crowd-stopper.

What Jackfruit Is

Jackfruit is the largest tree fruit in the world, reaching up to 40 kilograms. The one they opened today was around 30 kilos. It belongs to the fig and mulberry family, and what’s unique is that it can be eaten in two very different ways:

• Ripe → yellow pods that taste like pineapple, mango, and banana combined.
• Unripe → starchy and mild, often used in curries or cooked as a plant-based meat alternative.

How Jackfruit Is Opened

Watching it being prepared is part of the fun:

1. The jackfruit is split open with an oiled knife.

2. The sticky pith and fibers are carefully removed.

3. Golden pods are pulled out, each holding a large seed.

4. The pods are then served fresh to customers.

It’s messy work, but the result is fruit that’s both fascinating to see and delicious to eat.

About Raya

Raya isn’t just a Thai supermarket, It’s a spot for independent brands, pantry staples, and everyday essentials for Thai cooking. From curry pastes to noodles, you’ll find everything you need for home cooking.

And beyond the shelves, there’s freshly pressed sugar cane juice and rows of exotic fruits you won’t see at your average grocery store.

Exotic Fruits at Raya

Here are few Raya recommended and all of them were really good except Curuba which I thought was a bit sour for my taste.

Snake Fruit – £3.50 / 100g

Crunchy with a sweet-tart taste, snake fruit looks like it’s covered in snakeskin and tastes somewhere between apple, banana, and pineapple.

Curuba Banana Passion Fruit – £2.50 each

Looks like a banana but opens up to tangy passionfruit pulp inside. Often eaten with sugar or used in juices.

Rambutan – £2.30 / 100g

Hairy red skin on the outside, sweet translucent flesh inside. Similar to lychee but with its own mild twist.

Mangosteen – £2.10 / 100g

Called the “queen of fruits,” mangosteen hides soft white segments under its thick purple shell. Sweet, tangy, and fragrant.

Custard Apple – £7 each

Green and bumpy outside, creamy and custard-like inside.

Sweet and soft, often eaten with a spoon.

Rose Apple – £3.99 each

Glossy and bell-shaped, crisp and watery with a subtle floral flavor—like a cross between pear and apple.

Why Visit Raya

If you’re curious about jackfruit openings, want to stock up on Thai ingredients, or just feel like trying fruits you don’t usually find in London, Raya is worth the stop.