It’s that time once again to put our local experts to the test with our local expert challenge! This week, we asked our experts on the ground to head to their local supermarkets from Perth to Prague and find some of their favorite exceptionally tasty, bizarrely regional, or particularly convenient snack foods.
We love that feeling on first landing in a new destination: everything from the airport security procedures to the color of the traffic signals is different and new. One of the best ways to prolong this feeling, even before checking into the hotel room, is to step into a local supermarket. It may seem mundane, but whether they’re stocking a local delicacy or a crazy Kit-Kat flavor, a market’s shelves root travelers in a place’s everyday reality.
If these shelves could talk, they would speak volumes about regional tastes and culinary traditions … and they would make us really, really hungry.
Shanghai
Tea Eggs. These may look like an item only Sweeney Todd would devour, but they are actually great tasting and incredibly healthy. The first few times I saw them at the convenience store, bubbling away in a vat of black liquid, I have to admit the smell and sight were a bit off putting … Basically, they are eggs boiled in black tea and spices, including soy sauce, anise stars, and bay leaves.
Toronto
What is a peameal bacon sandwich? It is a handful of yum. Peameal bacon is a Canadian variety of breaded bacon (not to be confused with that other artery clogger, Canadian bacon). And be sure to ask for extra mustard!
Atlanta
Eye candy and spice, Mama Zuma’s Revenge Habanero Potato Chips originate in Middletown, Virginia, but are quite popular all over. A mixture of sweetness and heat, these specialty chips are great for sharing with your travel buddies or coworkers.
Auckland
I’m convinced that New Zealand is the land of the Long Muesli Bar Isle, because that’s exactly what you get in every supermarket. These grainy, nutty, fruity little bars are extremely popular here.
Vancouver
When my sisters are visiting from England, they have to pick up ketchup chips and dill pickle chips. It sounds like an acquired taste, but after you try one, you will understand why we Canadians love them! You can even get those flavors in mini rice cakes too, for those that are a little more health conscious.
Prague
Křupky is the snack food of choice for quite a few people; many ate it as a child and still have a fondness for it today. It’s a peanut-butter-flavored nibble; with the texture of cheese puffs, like Cheetos. You’ve been warned.
Bangkok
7-Elevens and Family Marts are ubiquitous in Bangkok, and potato chips take up most of one aisle. Sounds a bit boring and familiar, but consider the flavors: Barbecued Pork, Shrimp, Cuttlefish, Octopus, Spicy Crab. And even some very Thai recipes such as Tom Yum Koong and Laab.
Buenos Aires
The deli counter more closely resembles a full-on butcher shop as opposed to your typical cold cuts and cheese counter. Only hardcore carnivores will want to wander into the deli, as some of the sights may be shocking: pigs’ heads, cows’ tongue, and the dreaded, textured tripe (stomach lining).
Perth
As far as I can figure out, and please correct me if I’m wrong, chocolate freckles are a uniquely Australian treat. But they’re utterly delicious. These freckles are slightly larger than the regular ones and that’s what I like about them.
Edinburgh
A packet of Haggis-flavored Potato Crisps—these will certainly give you the true taste of Scotland with the distinct Haggis flavor.
Oslo
On the fjord, the obvious snack, or rather dinner, is a heap of prawns. You peel them, add mayo, squeeze on some lemon, and make prawn sandwiches. Chilled white wine is the ideal companion.
Originally published on Nile Guide Image Source: JoeGray (cc)
