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Bakes19640
Newbie
Joined: Jan 26, 2005
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Jan 30, 2005 - 11:14 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Availability of Aussie foods in Shanghai |
I am an Aussie who is considering moving to Shanghai with my family mid 2005. My kids (2 boys aged 9 and 7) are fairly fussy eaters and virtually live on Weetbix when they are not eating their staples of sausages, chicken nuggets, mashed potato, peas and spaghetti with pasta sauce.
The question I have is what are the relative availabilities of each of these foods in Shanghai? I have contacted Sanitarium Foods (the makers of Weetbix) who state that they do not distribute Weetbix in China yet but does not know if one of their customers does or not.
As for the sausages I assume from reading earlier posts that they can be purchased from Glenmores.
Is their a problem getting normal veggies? Is milk the UHT variety or is fresh milk reliable.
Finally can you get packet pasta and spaghetti sauces? I see from other posts that there are no great Italian restaurants around at the moment.
Look forward to your responses.
Bakes |
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Fenno
Reacher
Joined: June 10, 2003
Posts: 345
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 12:11 PM |
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Hi Bakes, I'll start the ball rolling on this one. Not sure about Weetbix as we are not cereal eaters, but I'll check if no-one else can tell you. We can get vegemite in small jars at City Shopper, Pines and Friendship Store - sometimes they do run out so bring along a couple of those 910g jars (I disregard use by dates on this product). You can get great sausages at Pines, they have an Aussie butcher and they now have stores on both sides of the river, he can arrange for cuts of meat that we are used to that you can't find at Carrefour (i.e. forequarter chops for the BBQ), and I've also ordered small chickens as normally the ones in the stores are humungous to the point of grossness! It is very easy to get pasta and sauces, Carrefour, City Shopper, Pines, etc. all stock it - even Metro bulk buy store.
Veggies here are great, huge variety, even looking at mushrooms alone (except no big field mushies). You can buy at local produce markets, but maybe not the full range. I tend to get all mine at Carrefour as they have a much bigger range than both City Shopper and Pines, but the second two are fine for topping up if you can't be bothered with the crowds at Carrefour.
Fresh milk is fine and you can also get UHT if you prefer, from NZ, etc.
Everyone has different ideas on where to shop, so no doubt you'll also get a few other ideas from members.
Next time I go out I'll check on Weetbix, if no-one else has responded.
All the best - maybe I'll meet you at the Aussie group meetings.
Vicki |
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GC
The Ginger Prince
Joined: Dec 01, 2003
Posts: 21536
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Jan 30, 2005 - 12:31 PM |
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yes, you can get weetabix here as well as all the other major breakfast cereals; cheerios, special K, etc. |
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You turned on the lights, Fuelled U boats by night, That's how you repay us, It's time to go home. |
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mat
Board Royalty
Joined: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 6978
Location: Loooooooooooose!
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 12:39 PM |
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I found Cadbury chocolate near that new Japanese Supermarket Chain below City Plaza. I have also seen it advertised on buses here, but that is the only place I have seen it. Bring on Boags beer and I am here for the long haul. |
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www.justbeer.cn Get Loooooooose! |
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GC
The Ginger Prince
Joined: Dec 01, 2003
Posts: 21536
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Jan 30, 2005 - 12:52 PM |
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most of the supermarkets in pudong, even the local ones, sell carbury's. its still not the same version i am used to from the UK but i assume its the same one sold in Australia. The other week i tried the chocolate with strawberry pieces in it, was actually quite nice.
Lotus in pudong have a decent selection of imported sweets and also imported beer, dont know about the boags beer but next time i am there i will have a look and see what there is. |
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You turned on the lights, Fuelled U boats by night, That's how you repay us, It's time to go home. |
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Bakes19640
Newbie
Joined: Jan 26, 2005
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 01:45 PM |
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Fenno (Vicki),
Thanks for the feedback. You have certainly answered a number of questions my wife and I had. Would appreciate if you could keep an eye out for the Weetbix as this is crucial. Our kids eat them about 3 times a day and go though a pack in no time.
I feel a lot better about the rest of the food business. Thanks. Assuming we come over (negotiations due to commence soon) would love to catch up at an Aussie Group meeting. When and where are they held?
Bakes |
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Bakes19640
Newbie
Joined: Jan 26, 2005
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 01:56 PM |
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GlasgowCraig,
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds promising. I am assuming that Weetabix (which is made in the UK) and Weetbix (which is made in Austrlia) are virtually the same product.
Can you tell me if Weetabix are small bricks ( 10cms x 5cms) of crushed wheat which you put in a bowl and cover with milk? If so we are on the same page and a major obstacle for us is resolved.
Bakes  |
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Bakes19640
Newbie
Joined: Jan 26, 2005
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 02:02 PM |
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Mat,
Not a great chocolate eater but thanks for the info. Home food is always appreciated.
BTW I hooked into some Boags last night. Will miss it if I go. What are the beers in Shanghai like? Have seen a post saying Corona is available but is this Chinese brewed or imported? What is the best brew available?
Bakes
PS. Will miss my wines as well. Have been drinking some nice reds since returning from Jakarta last year.  |
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mat
Board Royalty
Joined: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 6978
Location: Loooooooooooose!
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 05:15 PM |
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Bakes, I actually own the best wine bar here in Shanghai. Senses. Well, I think it is the best. Specialise in Aussie wine, so wine here no problem. Beer wise, Fosters and Coopers is it for Aussie beer. Corona and Sol are here, imported. German and Belgian beers are also imported. Mate, not as backward here as you may think, just miss my Boags.
Wine - I have Yering Station, Cockfighters Ghost, Saltram, Henshke, Penfolds. A lot of them available here.
Australian Chamber of Commerce are fairly active and have a big booze up every Friday night.
See you soon. |
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www.justbeer.cn Get Loooooooose! |
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good4kicks
LoopKicker
Joined: Jan 20, 2004
Posts: 955
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 05:37 PM |
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Only seen the plain Weetbix here, none of the other varieties.
Most cereals are about twice of the price of that in Australia, sometimes more. That would be a general rule on pricing for most imported food items.
Availability of vegetables like someone else said is good, but I have had a hard time finding certain vegetables like zucchini, large eggplants, lemon squashes, large lettuce and others.
Fresh fruits are very limited except for banana, apples and oranges, which you'll get sick of pretty quickly. Watermelon is a big thing here in summer. Most other fruit is imported, expensive and the quality is nothing like what you can get in Australia.
Dried fruits and nuts are limited. Easy to find raisins and prunes ex-USA but cannot get dried apricots, dried pears, fruit/nut mixes in bags, etc. The Chinese variety is awful, often covered with a heavy sugar/salt layer.
Fresh seafood seems to be non existent. The Chinese of Shanghai mainly eat freshwater shrimp and fish and they taste like mud. I have only been able to find some in the Lotus supermarket, the new Sogo supermarket, but very pricy, and some frozen stuff in other places.
If anyone knows of a good source of any of the above that I cannot find, please let me know. |
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Fenno
Reacher
Joined: June 10, 2003
Posts: 345
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Jan 30, 2005 - 08:03 PM |
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Bakes, the Aussie group has a coffee morning once a month, I think it's the 3rd Wednesday. It's being held at the moment at the Mesa restaurant, but may change back to O'Malley's pub when the weather is warmer. There is also the Shanghai Expat Group that you can join which has quite a number of events each month, including day trips and both domestic and international travel events, so even though the working spouse cannot attend the weekday events, you can as a family go on the arranged tours from 3-10 days, but these trips are high end so are not cheap.
At the moment local mandarins and strawberries are absolutely delicious. There is a great variety of local fruits which of course are seasonal but very tasty. If you can afford to pay for imported fruit you can get papaya, pineapple, grapes, kiwi fruit, mangoes, etc.
As to seafood - there is a seafood market a friend goes to but I think a lot of what she buys is frozen - she raves about the scallops and codfish. There seems to be a lot of fresh fish at Carrefour but I've only bought salmon and live prawns which are freshwater but with chillies they didn't taste muddy.
If your budgets stretches to it, there are a variety of Sara Lee products; ready made pastry is available at Pines (as are sausage rolls and Aussie meat pies). In short, you can get most things; I once went to Glenmores and got Violet Crumble bars, but it's been a while so not sure what they sell nowadays. It seems that some places get a consignment of something we like, then once it's gone, it's gone. I got Cherry Ripes once about 12 months ago! I am happy that I can get Arnotts Savoy dry biscuits at City Shopper on Hongmei Lu.
Sorry, I am rambling, must be hungry, byeeeee |
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yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 18054
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
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Jan 31, 2005 - 11:31 AM |
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| good4kicks wrote: |
Fresh fruits are very limited except for banana, apples and oranges, which you'll get sick of pretty quickly. Watermelon is a big thing here in summer. Most other fruit is imported, expensive and the quality is nothing like what you can get in Australia.
...
Fresh seafood seems to be non existent. The Chinese of Shanghai mainly eat freshwater shrimp and fish and they taste like mud. I have only been able to find some in the Lotus supermarket, the new Sogo supermarket, but very pricy, and some frozen stuff in other places.
If anyone knows of a good source of any of the above that I cannot find, please let me know. |
Fruits of a greater variety can be found, but it takes some searching. CHinese Kiwis (the original), many types of pears, peaches, nectarines, star fruit, and many others, but less when out of season unlike in the US or AU where it is imported from other places during the off season. Local markets have a suprising selection of fresh fruits and vegetables but without language ability, you may be SOL.
Fresh seafood IS abundant. One just needs to go to the Fish market at some ungodly hour (where the restauranteurs go) or find the right wet market to shop from. They may not be the same fish you are accustomed to, butthere are indeed some nice SEAfoods available. Again, language ability may limit access. There are many types of shrimp here and some do taste muddy, while others are better. Still trying the difffernt shrimps and prawns.
I wuld suggest that everyone try out local alternatives to many things too as it does make life easier. But then again if you are only a short time expat, you may not need to . i am like Mat on this one though as I am here for the long haul so local alternatives will be key.
Good luck all. |
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good4kicks
LoopKicker
Joined: Jan 20, 2004
Posts: 955
Status: Offline
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Jan 31, 2005 - 11:51 AM |
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yu888,
would you please tell me where this fish market is with the seafood? are you talking about one on 銅川路？ Please give me the address in Chinese if you can.
Also, I have seen the fruits you are talking about but they are always imported and very expensive. It seems from your post that you know of a good place to get them. Please give me the details of this, again in Chinese if you can.
thanks |
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Bakes19640
Newbie
Joined: Jan 26, 2005
Posts: 6
Status: Offline
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Feb 01, 2005 - 02:36 PM |
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Thanks all for the contributions to date. It seems as though it is not such a bad city to live in food wise. Why was it listed as a hardship post up until a few years ago. Jakarta has much less than what you guys have listed and we still got by.
As for the seafood I have heard that you can only eat it once per month because of the high mercury levels in all Chinese seafood. Is this correct?????
Bakes |
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good4kicks
LoopKicker
Joined: Jan 20, 2004
Posts: 955
Status: Offline
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Feb 01, 2005 - 03:34 PM |
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bakes:
I haven't been to Jakarta but I have been to many other Asian cities outside China and there is a difference. It is not the availability of products that made/makes it a "hardship posting", it's the mentality of the locals. I have met a lot of expats that rejoiced when they were offered a chance to move somewhere like Bangkok and are thoroughly enjoying it down there and who wouldn't? The Thai people are always friendly, always smiling, their food is fantastic, etc. Thailand does have many of the same problems that China has but it's their people that make all the difference.
One problem with Shanghai compared to other Asian cities is that there is just simply nowhere to escape to at the weekends unless you drive 4 hours or fly. Once you drive out of Shanghai, it starts getting pretty grim. People will suggest Hangzhou to you but one can only go there so many times and it is always crowded as are the water towns in Zhejiang, surrounding Shanghai.
Then of course work is always another story. Many foreigners here use the description "constant confusion and frustration" to describe their work life here. Being Chinese or speaking Chinese does not mean you won't experience this. I have a Taiwanese friend that complains of this.
I guess you can tell I don't particularly like the place but the experience here is good, even though it is an ordeal. When I go back home, I find my tolerance and patience thresholds are much higher than before I left. Life is really too good in the west. We are indeed spoilt. |
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merdy
Rocker
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Posts: 747
Status: Offline
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Feb 01, 2005 - 06:19 PM |
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life is great here...no worries...just keep an open mind, don't expect it to be like home...and enjoy the experience...and don't listen much to the nay sayers....Shanghai is one big mess of a city...but what an amazing mess! |
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Benoist_Shanghai
Low Seater
Joined: May 18, 2003
Posts: 3057
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| Posted:
Feb 01, 2005 - 07:38 PM |
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| Post subject: Re: Availability of Aussie foods in Shanghai |
| Bakes19640 wrote: |
I am an Aussie who is considering moving to Shanghai with my family mid 2005. My kids (2 boys aged 9 and 7) are fairly fussy eaters and virtually live on Weetbix when they are not eating their staples of sausages, chicken nuggets, mashed potato, peas and spaghetti with pasta sauce.
The question I have is what are the relative availabilities of each of these foods in Shanghai? I have contacted Sanitarium Foods (the makers of Weetbix) who state that they do not distribute Weetbix in China yet but does not know if one of their customers does or not.
As for the sausages I assume from reading earlier posts that they can be purchased from Glenmores.
Is their a problem getting normal veggies? Is milk the UHT variety or is fresh milk reliable.
Finally can you get packet pasta and spaghetti sauces? I see from other posts that there are no great Italian restaurants around at the moment.
Look forward to your responses.
Bakes |
This is a joke, right???
And if not, 9 and 7 is probably not too late to start educating them along with their taste for someothing else than Weetbix&Chicken nuggets.
Welcome in China.
b. |
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Murray_B
Squeeker
Joined: Aug 26, 2004
Posts: 14
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Feb 18, 2005 - 08:58 PM |
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| Post subject: Found aussie foods at Carrefour |
Hi There,
My wife and family were in Shanghai from Gold Coast in November 04, we too were looking at these considerations prior to moving in june 05. We did find that at Carrefour Pudong we did find quite a large selection of Australian imported products. They did include weetbix and vegemite. I do not recall the sausages, but there was was quite a vegetable selection and at least 1 aisle of imported goods and food.
I hope this helps.
Murray |
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DILLIGAF
Rocker
Joined: Dec 21, 2004
Posts: 787
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Feb 18, 2005 - 10:11 PM |
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| Post subject: Re: Availability of Aussie foods in Shanghai |
| Bakes19640 wrote: |
I am an Aussie who is considering moving to Shanghai with my family mid 2005. My kids (2 boys aged 9 and 7) are fairly fussy eaters and virtually live on Weetbix when they are not eating their staples of sausages, chicken nuggets, mashed potato, peas and spaghetti with pasta sauce.
The question I have is what are the relative availabilities of each of these foods in Shanghai? I have contacted Sanitarium Foods (the makers of Weetbix) who state that they do not distribute Weetbix in China yet but does not know if one of their customers does or not.
As for the sausages I assume from reading earlier posts that they can be purchased from Glenmores.
Is their a problem getting normal veggies? Is milk the UHT variety or is fresh milk reliable.
Finally can you get packet pasta and spaghetti sauces? I see from other posts that there are no great Italian restaurants around at the moment.
Look forward to your responses.
Bakes |
your better off staying in OZ. they don't like kids here....
the fish/seafood has too much mercury, Dreamelectronics sells fake satellite systems and lets not talk about all the fake clothes, fake french / aussie / american wine, fake dvd's, fake cd'd, fake sunglasses, fake veggies, fake money, weet"whogivesaf**k" cereals, dirty tap water, fake mates & friends, lousy beer.... the language barrier.....
Mate, honest STAY DOWN UNDER!!!
Dilligaf |
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