When you first arrive in a new country, the three biggest things you need to find a way to adapt to are the weather, lifestyle, and food. Moving from Vietnam, an Asian country with a strong food culture, to Germany—where cuisine, ingredients, and food etiquette are completely different—I anticipate the challenges that could arise.
However, the Vietnamese community here has been kind enough to share ways to overcome that limiting belief: you can use the ingredients available in your area, even on a student budget, and still feel at home while integrating yourself into a new country.
Here are some tips from me:
-
Explore Local Discount Supermarkets
In Osnabrück, where I lived during my first month, I explored various “discounters” to compare prices and see what options were available.
- Aldi, Lidl, Penny, Netto: These are great for everyday supplies like meat, vegetables, milk, toilet paper, and more.
- Asian Shops: Almost every city has at least a small Asian shop. Be aware that prices here can be higher than those at local supermarkets. Focus on irreplaceable seasonings that define the essence of your dishes.
-
Be Aware of Daily Discount Programs
Each supermarket has its own app. Download them from Google Play or the App Store to redeem or receive discount codes whenever you shop.
-
Plan Your Meals in Advance
This will help you save money and ensure you only buy what you need instead of what you want. Reward yourself with some desserts, such as pudding or ice cream, when you save more than 5 euros.
-
Share Food—Share Culture
Involve your friends and classmates in the cooking process. You can also organize a food challenge within your friend circle, gathering on weekends to exchange tips and advice. For example, try Latin American cuisine in the first week of the month, Asian food in the second week, Caribbean dishes in the third week, and German cuisine in the last week. I can already imagine the fun you’ll have, making you feel more at home.
-
Enjoy the Food with an Open Mind
Be prepared that when you are in a new country, integrating into the culture is important. Be open to the variety of food around you and welcome German cuisine with the same respect you have for your home cuisine.
Discounters vs Supermarkets
Discounters and SupermarketsThe best-known discounters include Aldi, Lidl, Penny and Netto.
The term „discount“ comes from English and means „discount“. This concept enables the providers to achieve a large area turnover with relatively low store and personnel costs. Low trading margins, combined with low purchase prices (due to the large quantities in conjunction with logistics advantages) allow the discounters to sell their products at low sales prices. Supermarkets
such as Kaufland, Rewe and Edeka belong to the supermarket category.
Supermarkets are characterized by a larger selection of products, which also includes well-known branded goods.
