Grocery Store Tourism: Why Supermarkets Are the Best Travel Activity

When I travel somewhere new, my first stop isn't a landmark. It's a grocery store.

Why Grocery Stores?

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They're Unfiltered Culture
Tourist attractions show you what a place wants you to see. Grocery stores show you how people actually live. What do they eat for breakfast? What snacks do kids want? What's considered fancy?

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Unusual Finds
Every country has products that don't exist anywhere else:
• Japan: Dozens of KitKat flavors, premium fruit, ready-to-eat bento
• Mexico: Fresh tortillas, countless chile varieties, regional candies
• Germany: Entire aisles of bread, quality beer at water prices
• Thailand: Pre-made curry pastes, tropical fruits you've never seen

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It's Free (Sort Of)
Entry is free. You'll probably buy snacks, but that's research, not expense.

What to Look For

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The Snack Aisle
International snack aisles reveal so much. What flavors of chips exist? What candy is popular? Buy things you can't identify.

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Fresh Sections
Produce sections show what grows locally. Meat and seafood sections reveal eating habits. Bakeries show what "bread" means in that culture.

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Checkout Items
What impulse buys do they put by the register? It's different everywhere.

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Local Brands
Skip the Coca-Cola. Find the local soda, the regional chips, the hometown candy bar.

Best Grocery Store Chains by Country

• Japan: Don Quijote (chaotic), Lawson/7-Eleven (convenience), Isetan Food Hall (upscale)
• UK: Marks & Spencer Food Hall, Waitrose
• France: Monoprix, any local market
• Germany: Aldi (original), Lidl, REWE
• Australia: Woolworths, Coles (Tim Tam varieties!)
• Mexico: La Comer, Soriana, Chedraui

Pro Tips

1. Go hungry: Everything looks interesting when you're ready to eat
2. Bring a reusable bag: Many countries charge for bags
3. Check out the checkout: Conveyor belt dividers, bagging customs, and payment methods vary wildly
4. Ask locals: "What snack should I try?" gets great recommendations
5. Buy small quantities: Get 5 different things instead of one big thing

What to Buy

• One weird chip flavor
• A local chocolate or candy bar
• An interesting drink
• Something for breakfast tomorrow
• A regional specialty you can't get at home

The best souvenir is often something edible that you found in aisle 7.