They’re jetting off to the aisle-lands.
Foreign grocery stores have develop into a must-check out for a growing variety of travelers who say that an unfamiliar overseas supermarket can teach an ideal deal about local foodways and culture — for quite a bit cheaper than going to a stylish eatery.
Never mind that guided tour of the Acropolis, and even rushing to assert a beach lounger after breakfast — price-checking out the locals as they shop for food and necessities has develop into a minor obsession with some social media-savvy young travelers, who’ve been sharing their so-called fascinating findings with interested audiences.
“This may increasingly be controversial, but I believe that the very best thing to do while traveling is go to the food market,” one TikTokker said in a video, while shopping in Malaysia.
“Going to a food market could technically be counted as sightseeing, right? Because not only is it a cultural experience, but you may also find plenty of stuff to bring back as souvenirs,” they explained.
Someone commented, “I totally agree with you! I hit the food market too when I’m going to a different country. It’s like learning about one other culture through their consumption! And I purchase food as souvenirs too!”
“I at all times go to grocery stores when traveling! And Costco. It’s so interesting to see Costco over seas!” a user suggested.
“Foreign grocery stores and foreign McDonald’s — I hunt down culture,” said a 3rd.
One other user who posted a video shopping at a Spanish supermarket agreed, “Trying out the grocery stores in numerous countries IS sightseeing.”
The poster and their friends were finding every kind of unique items that they’ll’t get back at home, including the “Ultra Red” Monster Energy drink, which is available in a red can.
A visitor to an Edeka store in Düsseldorf, Germany, shared that they found the “best food market on this planet” and “essentially the most insane supermarket I’ve ever set foot inside.”
They proceeded to point out of the snazzy store’s many assets — a champagne bar, a mozzarella bar, a jamon sampling station, a wine tasting area and even a Michelin-starred restaurant.
You don’t even have to depart the country to take part in the travel trend.
American travelers are collaborating in food market tourism when going to different states — high-end food market Erewhon in California has develop into something of a TikTok star, sometimes for its outrageous prices.
Some have taken flights — or have highly considered it — to the west coast with the only purpose of visiting the luxurious supermarket chain known for expensive smoothies created by celebs comparable to Hailey Bieber.
“I just took a six-hour flight to Los Angeles simply to review these smoothies you guys won’t stop talking about,” one skepic admitted, sharing that they spent $88 on three smoothies.
“For that price you would’ve flown to South Korea and had 40 smoothies 😅,” someone joked within the comments.
“Do people in Los Angeles like wasting money? Yes,” one other snarked.
