There is nothing like shopping at foreign supermarkets while traveling. It’s all about seeing how people live on a daily basis at your destination. What is the most popular type of bread?  Why can they keep their eggs on the shelves without them being refrigerated? There are so many questions that come up when shopping in other places. It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to what to buy. I’m here to help you by sharing the top 3 categories I shop for when I visit foreign supermarkets.

Shop Like the Locals

One thing I love about traveling in Europe is how fresh everything is. You can go into a supermarket and find a machine that makes fresh squeezed orange juice. Or pick up a baguette that has been baked that same day.

These are the types of items you need to pick up when you’re shopping at a foreign supermarket.  Find out what is locally produced in the country or city you’re going to and try to pick it up.  

To answer the question about eggs not being refrigerated in many countries, this has to do with them not being washed. The eggs won’t spoil if they are left on the shelf. In the U.S., they are washed and lose their protective coating. So, don’t be afraid to buy eggs in places where they’re left out on the shelf.

Try Unique Items

When I visited Japan in the Fall a few years ago, sweet potato was the popular seasonal flavor. Every convenience store had their own selection of sweet potato flavored treats. My sister set out to try them all. Some were better than others. It was a fun challenge.

That leads me to challenge you to find what items are in season at the location you travel to. Try to find as many variations as possible of that item.

Buy Souvenirs

Food items can make great souvenirs. When I visited the island of Malta, I bought spices back home. The year before, when I was in Japan, I purchased Sake liquor for friends. Before I worked remotely, whenever I would travel, I would always pick up a bag of candy to share with my coworkers.

Tips to Keep in Mind

In many countries, shopping bags are not free. They are usually not expensive; however, it’s something to remember. I find it best to carry a small foldable reusable bag. That way I already have somewhere to put my purchases.

Use translation apps like Google Translate to decipher labels in other languages. This is super helpful if you have allergies or food intolerances like I do.

If you’re unable to travel physically at the moment, look for a foreign supermarket near where you live. See how many of these tips for shopping at foreign supermarkets while traveling, you can do locally.