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Newbie with some 'can I get this, can I get that?' questions

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clayrview

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Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 96

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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 01:21 PM
Post subject: Newbie with some 'can I get this, can I get that?' questions

First off, hello all. After weeks of generally just observing this site, and enjoying both the outrageous and informative postings, I've decided to take the plunge.

I'm moving to Shanghai in 3 weeks, and the ever daunting task of what to pack looms ahead of me.

I really enjoy cooking, especially with a lot of different spices, should I be bringing my own, cumin, paprika etc or are these easily available?

What about Indian curry paste? Oxo cubes?

I lived in Korea for a year.. and I found it difficult to find (let's be mature here for a second!) larger sized bras (really anything bigger than a B cup)... is this going to be a massive challenge in Shanghai as well? Should I hit the Victoria secret and stock up before I go?

What are some important day to day items that I should bring with me, rather than buy when I get there?

I realize that posts like these have probably been answered to death.. so feel free to redirect me!

miss_t
Reacher
Reacher

Joined: July 20, 2009
Posts: 297
Location: Shanghai Via Essex

Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 01:43 PM

Definately bring oxo cubes, I'm getting my sister to send some out to me as I type! They sell them here, but for the price I've seen them at I'd want them to be made of gold.

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vesper

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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 01:50 PM

You can get all the spices you want here, including pre-mixed curry spice packets for specific dishes at Carrefour. I haven't seen ghee, but there are Shanghai-based Indian cooking classes, so there must be some somewhere.

I think you should be able to get bras at M&S, but it might not be a bad idea to pick up a few lingerie items--especially fitted things like camisoles. I'm a petite size, but I'm still hunting for winter pyjamas because the local styles are a bit childish / crazy. You can get thongs and other charming items in the fake markets, but the sizes are rarely larger than a UK size 6.

I typically have deodorant, face lotion (because I don't want my skin whitened) and vials of perfume oils mailed over in the occasional care-package.

carlon78

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Joined: June 16, 2008
Posts: 675
Location: jing
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 02:32 PM
Post subject: Re: Newbie with some 'can I get this, can I get that?' quest

Hello!

Welcome (nearly) to Shanghai. Here are my answers to some of your points:

clayrview wrote:

I really enjoy cooking, especially with a lot of different spices, should I be bringing my own, cumin, paprika etc or are these easily available?

Spices are available in the import aisle at Carrefour, and at the specialist shops, but I'm not sure exactly which ones - so I'd advise bringing some of your favourites with you in case they're not available here.

clayrview wrote:

What about Indian curry paste? Oxo cubes?

As above. Carrefour and import shops stock them.

clayrview wrote:

I lived in Korea for a year.. and I found it difficult to find (let's be mature here for a second!) larger sized bras (really anything bigger than a B cup)... is this going to be a massive challenge in Shanghai as well? Should I hit the Victoria secret and stock up before I go?

There is a Marks & Spencer here, on Nanjing Xi Lu next to the metro station - they stock bras in Western sizes!

clayrview wrote:

What are some important day to day items that I should bring with me, rather than buy when I get there?

Tampons are harder to find here than in other countries. They are available, but only in certain pharmacies and stores, so I always stock up on my favourite brand Tampax when I'm in England.

Hope this helps! Good luck with the move.

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LifeMage
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 02:35 PM

clayrview wrote:

Should I hit the Victoria secret and stock up before I go?

yes

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Shangstar

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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 02:44 PM

Carrefour have all the jarred spices, just like in the West. However, I have heard it is difficult to get certain fresh spices, like curry leaves, lime leaves etc. I had assumed you can find everything in China but fresh spice might be difficult in Shanghai itself. Though if anyone knows where I can get curry leaves and lime leaves, and fresh cinammon sticks, I'd be most grateful. If i'm cooking a curry, I prefer to use real fresh spices rather than the bottled variety.

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mandythebirdlady

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Joined: Jan 12, 2009
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 03:46 PM

Shangstar, the Carrefour in Gubei definitely has cinnamon sticks and curry leaves. They are in big sacks close to the fridges and dried fish bit.

Klick

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Joined: Jan 04, 2009
Posts: 811
Location: pupudongadong
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 03:54 PM

LifeMage wrote:

clayrview wrote:

Should I hit the Victoria secret and stock up before I go?

yes

Ditto that. You might be able to find your size in M&S. Or, you might not. (I haven't been able to.) If they do have your size, don't expect much in the way of selection of styles. I suggest stocking up before you come.

binky

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Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 541
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 05:32 PM

Also depends on whether you like M&S style. It may not be to everyone's tastes, I suppose.

Yes, you can get cinnamon sticks, but it may be chunky Chinese cinnamon, which is possibly not the same as what you are used to. I find it harsher and not as fragrent. If you want the south Asian type, that may be harder to find.

Another thing that I found difficult to find was vannila extract. They have vannila sugar in a few bigger supermarkets, and you can get the liquid extract at city shop.

Another thing that was strangely hard to find is non-dutch processed cocoa powder. I used to drink it for breakfast every day, now I just do without because its just too much trouble to find it. Especially here in JinShan. Rolling Eyes

The real problem for me with bringing favorite things from home is that they will eventually run out, and the day that happens can be a real bummer...

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Adrienne

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Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: 1708
Location: Shanghai, China
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 06:20 PM

This is Desertspider's comprehensive list of things for women/wives/girlfriends to bring to China....

http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php?name=MDForum&file=viewtopic&p=8 98389&highlight=#898389

Slightly dated but still quite relivant.

Hope it helps somewhat:D

Adrienne

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alixiw

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Joined: June 19, 2009
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 06:37 PM

Yes on Victoria's Secret
(unless you're the size of an 11 year old girl who stuffs her bra- then don't worry- there are about 500 million others too). The same with underwear. M&S seems to be the only place for these sorts of thing..

Yes on the tampons (bring at least 6 months worth) IF you run out, you can buy some here- sometimes but they're probably going to be your brand.

Yes on deodorant

Yes on your most favorite spices (a lot can be bought here too now)

HAMLover

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Joined: Dec 08, 2008
Posts: 347

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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 06:56 PM

You can buy nearly anything you want, it's just a matter of how much you really want the item(s). Some things are probably a little bit harder to come by, but nearly anything is available, especially in Shanghai. If you were going to live in some pikey town, then probably not. My tip is to keep your eyes open..You just never know when or where you will come across products. I found Heinz baked beans, ketchup manis (indo sweet soy), balsamic vinegar in the strangest location. Also check the shelves where the normal Chinese brands are stocked too. For example, I was eyeing off a bottle of thai sweet chilli sauce in the "international section" 20RMB, in the normal section 8RMB. More and more Chnese brands are using pinyin and even English on their labels. I also found bras at Carrefour, and Im pushing a D cup...I still have one of them after 18 mths. However to make your adjustment into daily life here, bring as much as you can with you...Then once you've settled and you have local lingo under your belt you'll be amazed at what you can find! Smile

p1atl10

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Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 9059
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 08:58 PM

LOVE to cook also....

My two cents worth....and quite contrary to all the above who say spices are available here.

Yes....you can buy a little jar of Cumin, Oregano, or of the more popular spices.
Huge prices...and usually poor quality.

Things I either never found, were ridiculously priced, or were poor quality:
Sweet Paparika
Whole Nutmeg
Smoked Paparika
Madagascar Vanilla
Whole Vanilla Beans
Star Anise
Whole Cloves
Dried Oregano
Dried Basil
Ancho Chili Powder
Allspice
Black Pepper Corns
Pink Pepper Corns
Dried Tarragon
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder/Bits
Herb de Provence
Ground Ginger
Crystallized Ginger
Dried Dill
Dried Rosemary

Used to order online from www.penzeys.com and have them delivered to my sisters house in the US.

Would pick them up when I visited once a year and haul them back...

And

MEDICINE!!! Best to bring Cold Medicines and other OTC you might need from home.

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binky

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Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 541
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
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Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 09:15 PM

^Star Anise? You mean 茴香??

We've never had any trouble finding that here... specs

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SnappySammy

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Joined: Nov 01, 2007
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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 05:57 AM

Advil the biggest bottle you can find......Also I always bring bags and bags and bags of Dunkin Donuts Coffee...Don't know where you're coming from..That's what I bring....I'm a very sexy American...(Just thought you might like to know that......

Woman always say bring Tampons... Men always say bring Condoms!

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jay_dee

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Joined: Mar 22, 2009
Posts: 1410

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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 06:41 AM

Never saw paprika here, brought mine from home.
Like others said, bring personal supplies, you can get OB here.
Bring deoderant, Tylenol, beauty items, etc.
Many things are available from City Shop or Jenny's - though not cheap.

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jasonnoguchi

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Joined: Mar 05, 2005
Posts: 1014
Location: From Singapore
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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 09:02 AM

If you find Korea hard, Shanghai is going to be nightmare.

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binky

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Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 541
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 09:15 AM

Watson's stocks a lot of beauty and health items. You can even get dental floss there (even many dentists here have never heard of dental floss!)

Oh, and you should probably have your family's teeth cleaned and checked before you some here... Rolling Eyes

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clayrview

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Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 96

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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 10:24 AM

What about a down comforter?

I've heard the heating in apartments is quite unreliable in the winter. I tend have a really hard time warming up, and am always a little cold in general. Should I bring a big fluffy one, or can I pick that up there at a reasonable price?

And what about hand weights, and this is strange one.. a spinning bike? If my boyfriend is going to force me to watch hours of football (granted we can get the channels), I might as well be doing something productive while watching!

TheChemist1981

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Joined: Jan 29, 2009
Posts: 62
Location: Minhang District
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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 10:34 AM

clayrview wrote:

You can get a warm comforter for a reasonable price - between 200 and 500RMB, depending on fill. Down tends to be on the higher end of the price, but I have a wool filled comforter that I bought for about 250RMB that's really nice and warm.

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miss_t
Reacher
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Joined: July 20, 2009
Posts: 297
Location: Shanghai Via Essex

Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 10:48 AM

I brought my 100% duck down duvet and pillows with me, and I'm glad I did because I've yet to see a decent ones here at a reasonable price, and I thought there's no point paying for something I already have if I could bring it with me!

I vacuum packed them, they go quite small!!

I'm going to be investing in a matress topper and electric blanket though. My matress is really hard which I hear is common for Chinese beds!

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SnappySammy

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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 10:54 AM

jasonnoguchi wrote:

If you find Korea hard, Shanghai is going to be nightmare.

Maybe she lived in North Korea Laughing

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binky

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Posts: 541
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 11:15 AM

You can even get silk filled comforters here. There was a thread about it a while back:

http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php?name=MDForum&file=viewtopic&t=3 7495&highlight=silk+comforter

Yes, heating can be a problem. You should get a space heater and a humidifier when you get here.

As for exercise bikes, you can find them at many of the larger (multi-level) supermarkets. I believe you can also buy them at Metro and Decathalon.

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BuckPlankchest

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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 05:04 PM

Best advice on the comforter I can give is if you have one, bring it if possible, but if you don't have one, try and spend a few nights in your apartment first, providing you have some kind of blanket. Heating quality can be dependent on the building/unit. My place has super heat, but I bought the comforter (at Ikea, with pretty much everything else I needed) before knowing and it's way too warm even though I bought a middle-of-the-road weight one.

Or you could always get a flannel nightgown, I'm sure your boyfriend will find that super sexy!

Hand weights and spinning bikes can be bought at Decathlon and maybe that sports store in/near Plaza 66, can't remember where it is exactly.

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ramsey

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Posted: Nov 08, 2009 - 05:58 PM
Post subject: Re: Newbie with some 'can I get this, can I get that?' quest

carlon78 wrote:

clayrview wrote:

I really enjoy cooking, especially with a lot of different spices, should I be bringing my own, cumin, paprika etc or are these easily available?

clayrview wrote:

What about Indian curry paste? Oxo cubes?

As above. Carrefour and import shops stock them.

I've found most of the spices you mentioned (except paprika) at local Chinese markets for a fraction of the cost of the imports. A lot of the labels are printed in both English and Chinese- just take a look around almost any supermarket- Lotus has a great selection of super cheap domestic spices, for example.

Funny story- I was looking at a bottle of Garlic powder in the import section of Carrefour. It turns out that the garlic was imported from China to Australia, and then imported back into China to be sold in the foreign food section.

Cutting out the middle man can save you a lot of money.

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