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Published: June 21st 2014
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A Happy Shopper
Free coffee, Free bags! M&S opens in Soho, Hong Kong. It's a cliché, but yes the world is getting smaller.
I have now lived in Hong Kong for nearly seven years and have witnessed part of this cliché myself. More specifically, I am referring to food. When I first arrived here in 2007, there were a number of treats and goodies that I missed from home. I remember the extortionate price of cheese (admittedly my income was fairly pathetic). On my first pay check, western imports to overpriced gourmet supermarkets were inaccessible. Familiar brands from the UK were switched for Asian brands, or Australian brands. Cadburys chocolate was always made in Australia, where the recipe is slightly different. There is a never-ending debate about whose is better, and of course whatever you grew up with always tastes best!
The ever stubborn Starbucks was here long before I was, and I resisted it for a long time feeling that I ought to go ‘local’ but the longer I stayed, that neutral pocket of coffee aroma and the leafy green theme just transports you somewhere else… and that’s OK. I remember when my brother and I were in Xian, China; our daily Starbucks breakfast was the most peaceful we had
UK Food Festival
In a Hong Kong supermarket felt in the mayhem of our Chinese adventure. The door opened, and there were smells and sounds unique to the mainland. Close the door, and there was chilled music, freshly baked muffins and we could have been anywhere in the world for a while. I used to think this was a travelling sin, but I'm either getting older, or accepting that you should do what makes you happy!
I remember my first trip home after nine months in Asia. I was gawping at the cheese aisle, and reminiscing about the chocolate bars I used to pay 35p for, that now cost 85p but that’s a different issue! Part of the excitement was just being in a supermarket where I recognised everything, and it was the simple routine act of shopping that reminded me of living at home. I remember loving the smell of the bakery (Hong Kong bakeries make particularly sweet bread) and I bought my favourite cereal. That was a long time ago, and now the story is ever changing.
It was a monumental occasion when Marks and Spencer opened their first food store in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. It was something worth
M&S Bakery
Tastes like home... celebrating for all the British expats. Sights and tastes from home were well worth paying the little extra for! Recently the same British brand opened a third store in the heart of Hong Kong’s Soho, which is now their biggest store. A taste of home, five minutes from my other home. Incidentally there are now over 300 M&S stores in over 40 locations aroud the world.
Now when I visit supermarkets, there are usually international food festivals, with special products from Japan, New Zealand, or Korea etc. There aren’t too many things that are not available now. Slowly over the years, more and more international products have sneaked onto the shelves in all supermarkets. One of the things that sparked this blog was the “UK Food Festival” event in one of the supermarkets. I realised how I am in a city in South East Asia, and I have access to products from America, England, Japan, Korea, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and many more. It has now got to the point where my basket can contain products from all over, and it is only when I travel to America/Australia/England that I work out which product is from which
Grand Opening
Excited for the opening of Marks and Spencer, Soho, Hong Kong. country.
It has to be said, Hong Kong is a foodie haven. Hong Kongers are passionate about food, whether it is in a five star restaurant or the over populated corner stall serving hot noodles at lunchtime. If it is good, there will be queue for it. Of course this extends to the supermarket, hence the variety of products grows and grows. The number of expats no doubt increases the demand for foreign goods. There are now more organic fresh products making their way over which is great to see as well.
I shall now go and eat my dinner of Norwegian salmon with a Thai lime and Australian broccoli! The edible mundo indeed.
Buen provecho, "sic faan", bon appetit!
JHG
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taracloud
Tara Cloud
I want!
Hong Kong is so international--you are so lucky! And I feel your pain of those first years--for me, I was in places where these treats just weren't available. I've been traveling in South America for four years and am now in Arequipa, Peru, with supermarkets with real cheese, Walker's Scottish shortbread cookies, rye bread and German Ritter Sport chocolates. Massively expensive, but I'm in food heaven. If I ever do as you, and go ex-pat, I want these familiar treats--major yum!