I’m an expat, so it’s probably pretty obvious that I love travelling, and that the benefits of living abroad far outweigh the inconveniences. Still, every once in a while, I long for something that I can’t find in Hong Kong. Most of the time, these things involve food. Which brings me to the three things that I’ve been hankering for lately:
Wheat Thins. Coffee Crisp. Tim Horton’s.
Wheat Thins are the best snack cracker on the market. So crispy. So golden. So salty. And the whole wheat variety of the cracker ensures that I get my daily dose of dietary fiber. How could I go wrong?
Coffee Crisp, for those who are in the know, is a chocolate bar only sold in Canada (actually, maybe they sell it in the UK, but it’s a Canadian chocolate bar). I can’t really describe it except to say that it is chocolate, wafer-y goodness in bar form. I’m not a big fan of chocolate, but I could eat this one every day.
Tim Hortons coffee…. Oh Timmy’s how I miss you! Once again, Tim Horton’s is a Canadian brand, which is actually a coffee shop that also sells mouth-watering donuts and bagels (my favourite is the cinammon-raison) for dirt cheap. Again, I’m not a big coffee drinker, but something about Tim Horton’s coffee just hits the spot for me.
So yes, to reiterate, I’ve been longing for crackers, chocolate, and coffee.
*crickets chirping*
Don’t judge me.
If you are an expat or live away from home, what are some of the things that you miss?
66 Comments
Love, love, love this Blog!
When I was living in UK, I really missed Cream of Wheat, and Doritos. I remember walking up and down the aisles of Safeway just beside myself because I couldn't find it anywhere, not even thinking that it wasn't sold outside of the US. Plus for some reason the bread, chocolate, and cheese just didn't taste the same. Nothing like extra-sharp American Kraft or Cabot Vermont Cheese on honey wheat or multi-grain bread. Cadbury Milk just doesn't cut it when you're feenin' for a sweet, crispy Kit Kat bar. Nutella got me through it though. lol
when i was in cairo for several months i would wake up salivating after dreaming about reese's peanut butter cups! i can't imagine how peanut butter is only an american staple. all of you poor international souls have no idea what you're missing…
Send me your address…I have a comfort package to send!!!
Thanks for your lovely comment. Its good to see a fellow travel blogger out there. 🙂
When I lived overseas, I missed real milk (we only had the kind that can sit on a shelf for years on end) and ketchup that tasted like the kind at home. American ketchup is very distinct in flavor.
Xo,
Your newest follower.
@gs- They don't have Doritos in the UK?!?! *stop the presses*
…
Whoa, I'm going to have to stock up when I move to London then! I know what you mean about food not tasting the same depending on the place- I love McDonalds back home but refuse to eat it abroad. A lot of my friends say that the chocolate in HK doesn't taste anything like it does in Canada/ the U.S…. No Kit Kat either!?
@Rania- Oh wow, Cairo! I would love to go. Funny about Reese's, they don't seem to have them in France either! And chunky peanut butter is difficult to find as well!! Goodness, I really like the taste of peanut butter, but haven't had it in years 🙁 I wonder if they sell it in HK?
@Gillian- um, WHAT?!?!?! You are AMAZING, chica! Sending you an email ASAP! 🙂 I have the widest grin ever right now… 🙂
@Hannah- It is lovely to connect! I am jealous that you live in sunny Florida! It is grey here all the time… ugh… I know all about the UHT (ultra high temperature) milk!! I refused to drink it in France when I lived there (even though fresh milk was expensive and went bad fast), but when I lived in Mexico I didn't have much of a choice so I learned to like it. Now it would appear that I'm lactose intolerant so I can't have any! What a shame!
I am also a stickler for ketchup as well- I'm a Heinz girl all the way. Thanks for following and I will be keeping up with your adventures as well! xo!
I just wrote a post about missing things.
Many of the sweets I can eat in the US I can't eat in Australia because they make them here with wheat glucose syrup. I miss milk duds and peanut butter cups and black beans and corn tortillas, and driving on the right side of the road.
Yep, things I miss would be food, food, and food.
I miss: Having options in good salad dressing to choose from. Definitely miss bagels. I'd say those would be the things I would eat on a regular basis if they existed in Chile!
Awww and I can buy Coffee Crisp at my local stores because they paid the import fee. LOVE that candy bar (but I haven't eaten one in a long time). I did recommend it to Aisha Tyler when she was in Quebec and she bought one! I was not a wheat thins fan until last year when I bought the garlic Triscuits and OMG I have to stay away from them because I'd ea the whole box. Wheat Thins now has a garlic/parmesean one that is really good. Ok I don't want to talk about food! Enjoy your weekend.
Oh and I had to add…when you're in London you'll have access to Kettle Crisps seasonal ones with port and stilton that I STILL fantasize about 7 years later.
ummm just copy and paste those 3 things on my blog because I miss them too! I actually brought a box of Wheat Thins back to France after Xmas, and I ate a Coffee Crisp in the TO airport before taking off :p
And Tim Hortons? What Canadian expat DOESN't miss Timmys???
I always get hankerings for Smart Food popcorn and chocolate milk in the 2L cartons….can't wait for August!!
oh, miss the food huh. me, not anything special… if travelling abroad, just miss my mom's cooking…. all the time..
Crystal smart food! Totally! I miss that too.
And sometimes I get this strange craving for dunkin donuts which is just weird because I don't really ever drink coffee…But that's what I want.
lawd have mercy!!
I miss Tim Hortons as well
oh they sell Coffee Crisp in the US?
Worry not, there are Doritos and KitKats in the UK.
I've never seen any of the items in your post here though. Sorry!
@Deidre- That sucks!! Can your parents bring you some "supplies" from the States? I remember that when I lived in France, peanut butter cups were also scarce.
@Mamacita- They sell bagels in HK but they just don't taste the same!!
@Faith- Oh wow, you know Coffee Crisp!! That's awesome!! Can't wait to have those kettle chips once in the UK… Do you know the brand Ms. Vickies? Those are my faves.
@Crystal- Yes!!! Smart Food White Cheddar flavour (actually do they come in any other flavour??)!! Perfection! I use to polish off a whole (big) bag in one sitting.
@myhotelvoucher- Aww!! Can she send you a care package?
@TeamJacob- Yes!!! I miss the Timbits so much. Honey Crueller is my fave.
@Canedolia- That's too bad, but at least they have Doritos! I love the regular cheddar flavour or the hot n spicy.
I'm really missing Kraft Ranch salad dressing here in the UK – so bad for you – but a great reward for eating a salad. I've had friends smuggle some over but, I recently discovered I can order it off ebay here…
And there is totally no shortage of Doritos and Kitkats, that's for sure…
And for the other stuff this store might help! http://www.angloaustraliantrading.com/Canadashop/CAdefault.aspx
Wheat thins!
Thanks a lot for making me miss something *else* I had conveniently forgotten (to save myself more heartache, I might add).
So ok, now I miss wheat thins. I also miss peanut butter, black beans, and bagels with cream cheese. (Oh, yeah, and mac & cheese).
I don't know, France is supposed to be the capital of gastronomy and all, but they're definitely missing a few key products 🙂
@Monique: Thanks for the link!! Mmm.. Doritos… my poor waistline…
@parisimperfect: I'm with ya, sista! I can't find a proper bagel in Hong Kong either!
Wheat Thins… Why did you have to mention these? Your coffee crisp bar also looks tasty. We don't have them in the US but I'll eat anything with chocolate in it!
And I am of a firm believer that 90% of the coffee in HK is crap, so I'm with you on the coffee thing!
Definitely red licorice Twizzlers! I stock up when I'm home. Oh, and maple syrup! Yup, I'm a Canadian cliche!
Ever visited the Canadian shop in Covent Garden, opposite to The Porterhouse? Fulfilling all your Timmy’s needs. They even sell Clamato – wouldn’t mind a Caesar now, actually.
What?! I had no idea. This is music to my ears, Dylan. Thanks!
I’m a double-expat (American turned long-time Canadian resident turned living temporarily in Chile) and so I am very used to these expat food cravings! I would say my biggest cravings are Pasta Roni shells and cheese from the U.S., and bagels from back home in Montreal, Canada, and most of all, good coffee (ironically the only coffee readily available in South America is that horrid instant kind… I guess they send all of the good stuff north). At least I can fill up on Starbucks when I fly through Santiago or visit Buenos Aires every few months or so. I also love and deeply miss sharp American or Canadian cheddar cheese. Yep – coffee, good instant mac n’ cheese, bagels and cheddar cheese are definitely what I miss most from home!
When I lived in Hong Kong I also craved really good Montreal-style bagels, though there were one or two that I found that were okay. That being said, having these things once you’re back home makes the visit all the more sweet!
I feel you, I feel you hard! I miss those 3 things too! Wheat thins are simply the best cracker, along with Rosemary/Olive Oil Triscuits! I miss those hard! I don’t drink coffee but getting a rich Timmy’s hot chocolate and an everything bagel with garlic/herb cream cheese is always my first stop when I land in a Canadian airport-regardless of day or night! Coffee crisp is also amazing! Skor is also a fav of mine! Every time I fly home for a visit, I come back with AT LEAST half a suitcase of food! Reese’s cereal always makes my suitcase too.
I’m intrigued to hear about this Canadian shop in Covent Garden-you must scout this out!!!
The everything bagel and the cinnamon raisin bagel at Timmy’s are my faves!
I have a family member who has been an expat in Europe and Asia for about 15 years and whenever we go to visit her she reminds us to stop at the airport Chick-Fil-A before we get on the plane so we can bring her a few of their sandwiches.
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