Loading...

Oct 7, 2023

Foods you miss most from back home?

I was talking with another expat friend recently about the foods we miss most from back home, and one that I can't seem to get replicated well here is fish and chips! I've tried a few places but there aren't any that have really lived up to what I'd expect in my home country. Curious about what elusive foods you've struggled to find decent substitutes for here!

Food
1 6
Report as spam
genkidesu

genkidesu

Love to travel, interested in J-beauty products and consider myself a convenience store snack aficionado. Navigating the ever-present challenges of expat life, particularly about my TCK's (third culture kids).

Follow

6 Answers

Best Answer

  • JTsu

    JTsu

    on Nov 20

    So many things have felt this way to me over the years. Most recently it was the chopped beef barbecue sandwich that's practically ubiquitous in my home state but here I can't even find a decent barbecue sauce. This lead me to make my own barbecue sauce and bake thawed mini steaks in my toaster oven slathered in the stuff just to approximate it. It does the job well enough. And I know there are some bbq sauces at import stores but none of them quite taste right to me. McDonald's bbq sauce isn't enough in quantity to do the job right and I'm not going to beg the fast-food chain for extra condiments. I always just end up making stuff myself.

    0
  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Oct 7

    When you're in Tokyo, try Malin's for fish and chips. The last time I was at the Hobgoblin in Shibuya, they did a fair approximation of British fish and chips. I've never seen anything like a Scottish meat pie or a sausage roll here.

    1
  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Oct 17

    Sausages! Japan's sausages are wurst essentially. I really miss decent pork sausages. The Meat Guy sold (maybe still does) Irish sausages that I tried. Not to knock the Meat Guy, because its an excellent company, but sorry... the were nothing like Irish sausages at all! They were good though, just not the sausages of home.

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Nov 20

    @JTsu I've also come to that realization with a lot of things...that sometimes it's easier to just try to DIY! That way you can also taste and tweak things as you go to get it as close as possible, rather than being disappointed (and paying an arm and a leg) at some restaurants/cafes.

    0
  • helloalissa

    helloalissa

    on Dec 21

    Over ten years ago I really missed foods like kale, romaine, and cilantro... It's silly, but I just rarely saw them in Japan. Now I can find those in most supermarkets. The thing I have to bring back with me or order online is black licorice, haha. Japanese people think it tastes like medicine so I've never seen it sold here. Another one I forgot to buy on my last visit is cornbread mix, but that's something I could attempt homemade if I really feel like it. Have you tried making homemade fish and chips? I'm not into deep frying at home but it seems possible if you have an easy recipe.

    0
  • JapanRamen

    JapanRamen

    on Jan 15

    All Dressed potato chips.....!!! I can't believe that it is not a thing in Japan! Ketchup chips come second, and Chop Ahoy would be third... all snacks lol

    0

Awaiting More Answers

2 Answers

Blogs from the summer that ought to be in the pick up?

I've been reading everybody avidly, and have learned about culture and currents thanks to the blogs! The PICK UP selections under the blog tab are from winter/spring 2025. What would you say are some blog contributions that stood out in the last two months or so?

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Sep 16

6 Answers

Japan features that would be a bug in your country? And the opposite?

What features in Japan's culture would be considered a bug in your home country? Or the other way around - an aspect of daily life in your home country that wouldn't fly here in Japan? I've got one. In Japan, many sliding doors in industrial and institutional buildings are designed to make noise. The rattle indicates comings and goings. I worked in institutional buildings in Canada with silent doors and soft closing mechanisms.

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Sep 7

7 Answers

Reflections on our home countries after living in Japan

I think one thing living in Japan has given me is an appreciation of things my country does really well, and things it doesn't do so well in comparison to here. For instance, I think Australia is great with annual leave entitlements. You get four weeks automatically (some workplaces offer even more!) and there's not any guilt associated with taking it. Something we don't do so well is public transport. I know that Australia is a massive country, but there has been talk of creating a high speed rail option from Melbourne to Sydney for ages, and nothing has ever come of it. It's basically an 8 hour drive or flying. Also, inner city trains are regularly not on time. What are the things you think your home country does better or worse than Japan?

genkidesu

genkidesu

on Aug 26

6 Answers

Hair Color Treatments for Greying Hair

For those of you who have colored grey hair, I'm curious about the hair color treatments available in most drugstores. They seem simpler to use than box dyes. It's been many years since I've colored my hair. It's a chestnut brown and my grey is more silver. I don't hate it but the grey is dry and making me feel like I look older than I am. I'm especially interested in the natural brands that are non-permanent. For example Rishiri Kombu sounds like a decent option. Looking forward to your recommendations and experience.

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Aug 3