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What I miss is some of the fastfood choices like 'Arbys', etc.
Generally seems like most countries do have some general american stuff like goldfish crackers, doritos, etc.
We have a house in Thailand. As far as I know, there are no Arby's in the country, but just about everything else is. McDonald's, KFC and Starbucks are all over the place. You can also find places like Taco Bell, Wendy's, etc. Many of the larger cities have Burger King, pizza parlors, donut shops, etc. There are loads of various international restaurants around BKK and other large cities, and I know of at least one Mexican restaurant in BKK. And that's not to mention you can't walk around the corner without running into 7-11's everywhere. Most of the large supermarkets carry goodies like Pringle's potato chips.
I've been to McD's and KFC, but it was nothing to rave about. I enjoy Thai food anyway, and it's a lot cheaper, so I don't really miss any of the typical fastfood chains.
Although not fastfood, I went to a floating restaurant in Rangsit (north of BKK) several years ago and had a nice juicy steak. Good flavor, lean, low price, but sliced rather thin (about a 1/4 of an inch thick). I think the serving also included a foil-wrapped baked potato.
The US availability of socalled specialty foods has really improved over the last ten years. I remember lugging everything from canned sausage to gummi baers across the pond. In October I created a stir and check-in was delayed when I had on-board luggage only on an international flight. Underwear, makeup, a bottle of calvados, 10 bars of Yogurette chocolate and some books.
I have always loved spices and my Better Half is a very good guinea pig:>) It is so easy to make tortillias. If you cannot get a local variety of masa, try polenta or Gries. Talk to locals to find some not too finely ground cereal. Let the dough rest!!! No press? Two blocks of wood and a hinge, tack plastic on the blocks and oil them. Salsa is a problem? France has farmers markets all over:>) A sharp knife will do the trick. You may have to import some spices. They do not weigh much. Talk to farmers or butchers about buying a section of beef. Cut your own steak. Which American male does not know how to grill it:>)
We have a house in Thailand. As far as I know, there are no Arby's in the country, but just about everything else is. McDonald's, KFC and Starbucks are all over the place. You can also find places like Taco Bell, Wendy's, etc. Many of the larger cities have Burger King, pizza parlors, donut shops, etc. There are loads of various international restaurants around BKK and other large cities, and I know of at least one Mexican restaurant in BKK. And that's not to mention you can't walk around the corner without running into 7-11's everywhere. Most of the large supermarkets carry goodies like Pringle's potato chips.
I've been to McD's and KFC, but it was nothing to rave about. I enjoy Thai food anyway, and it's a lot cheaper, so I don't really miss any of the typical fastfood chains.
Although not fastfood, I went to a floating restaurant in Rangsit (north of BKK) several years ago and had a nice juicy steak. Good flavor, lean, low price, but sliced rather thin (about a 1/4 of an inch thick). I think the serving also included a foil-wrapped baked potato.
Same here, everywhere I've lived abroad has the standard fastfood restaurants. I actually eat mostly local foods as well - now in Japan, before Korean. I actually prefer the local foods as well.
But every once in awhile, there is a craving for something you use to eat occassionally, but haven't ate in a very long time.
Generally speaking, I SIGNIFICANTLY miss the food from abroad when I go back to the States, than missing the States stuff when abroad.
Unfortunately most of the food in the States is purely junk food anyways, so for health reasons alone, it is best to stay clear of it.
I'm guessing you are asking for opinions because you're interested in opening such a business? I have lived/worked in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and I've always been able to find at least a few "American style" treats. Right now I live in a country where you wouldn't expect much variety, but really, you can get loads of stuff.
For Mexican, I've learned to make my own tortillas, refried beans, salsa, etc. The ingredients are pretty basic and can be found in lots of countries, except maybe a couple of the herbs/spices and avocados.
Although I also think I'm much less dependent on "American" stuff as well, the longer I am abroad. What I find I really crave are varieties of fruit and vegetables, or fish and seafood, depending on the country I'm in. Last time I went back to the States I bought a bunch of avocados and made guacamole 3 days in a row twice a day. When I go visit SE Asia I eat piles of fruit. There are only two things I bring with me, if I'm not sure I can get it: good coffee and earl grey tea.
With the internet, you can mail order stuff if you really want it, so I am not sure that a specialized service would be that valuable. Amazon.com has pretty much what you need and enough places that ship internationally if people are that desperate. For people in places with extreme lack of availability, my guess is that they also leave the country on a regular basis for R&R and can stock up when they are out.
I found this thread so interesting. I love Thai and Vietnamese food and would eat it any day over most anything else. I have never cared for and wouldn't walk anywhere for Mexican food. I tried it in NM, supposedly authentic and still didn't much care it. Now, I go to a little taco stand here in CFla and enjoy those occasionally but, that's it.....
When I was in SE Asia a few years ago, I was crazy about all of the fruit. Couldn't get enough of it.
When I was in Italy, couldn't get enough spahgetti. That I would miss anywhere in the world if it wasn't available.
I tried it in NM, supposedly authentic and still didn't much care it.
Never have understood the love of Mex food.
For many people who grew up with it, it is comfort food.
My son (the one now in Paris) grew up eating it probably once a week.
Claiming authenticity or any sort of superiority can be awfully tricky.
Plenty of folks eschew Tex/Mex, prefer Cal/Mex, or tout 'real' Mex--opinions are as varied as the different varieties of Mexican food. As in any other cuisine, freshness is paramount. Mole poblano might not be for everyone, but when you are living far from home, having something like that simmering on your stove is fun to do, and even more fun to eat.
I agree with melbern that you can do a lot yourself at home, and a lot of ingredients already can be purchased through Amazon.
All a person needs is time and money.
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Salsa is a problem? France has farmers markets all over
And maybe some of those farmers are even growing jalapeño chilies.
The kid and his girlfriend did grow some of their own herbs this summer.
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