Shopping for European Ingredients in Taiwan: Easier Than You Might Think

When I first moved to Taiwan, I assumed I would have to give up many of the ingredients I grew up with in Poland. Some things were easy to find. Others seemed impossible.

Over the years, I have learned where to shop, what substitutes work, and which products are worth bringing back from Europe in my suitcase.

If you are a European living in Taiwan - or simply curious about cooking European food here- these are some of my experiences.

The Good News: Taiwan Has More Imported Foods Than Ever

When people think about Taiwan, they often imagine only Taiwanese and Asian ingredients. While local products dominate supermarket shelves, imported foods have become much easier to find than they were years ago.

Large supermarkets and specialty stores often carry products from Europe, North America and Australia.

You may not find exactly the same brands you grew up with, but many familiar ingredients are available if you know where to look.

One of the first things many Europeans notice is the dairy section. Taiwanese supermarkets usually stock milk, yogurt, butter, and cheese, but the selection can feel very limited compared to Europe.

Sweetened yogurts are everywhere, while plain yogurt sometimes requires a bit more searching.

Cheese is available, although it is usually more expensive. Imported cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and cream cheese are fairly easy to find in larger cities.

Products like kefir and maślanka can be harder to find, and sometimes I simply miss the variety available in Poland.

Bread was one of the biggest adjustments for me. Taiwan has many excellent bakeries, but the style is often different from what I grew up eating. Many breads are softer, sweeter, and fluffier than traditional Polish loaves (and includes sugar).

Sometimes I bake my own bread at home when I miss the taste of Poland.

Some herbs that are common in Polish cooking are surprisingly difficult to find. Marjoram, which I use in many traditional dishes, is not available in regular supermarkets.

Fortunately, Taiwan offers an incredible variety of Asian herbs and spices, so my kitchen has become much more international since moving here.

One ingredient that often surprises people is poppy seeds. In Poland, they are an essential part of many traditional desserts, especially around Christmas.

In Taiwan, however, poppy seeds are restricted and generally unavailable. This means that making traditional makowiec is much more complicated than back home.

Every Christmas, I am reminded how much I took this ingredient for granted while living in Poland.

Potatoes are easy to find, although the varieties differ from those in Poland.

Beetroot can sometimes be found, especially in larger cities or specialty stores, but it is not nearly as common as it is back home.

Sorrel is another story. Finding fresh sorrel in Taiwan is extremely difficult, which means one of my favorite childhood soups remains mostly a memory.

On the other hand, Taiwan offers many vegetables that were uncommon in my Polish kitchen before moving here.

Living abroad has encouraged me to experiment with ingredients I had never used before.

I still miss certain foods from Poland, but I have also learned to appreciate many ingredients that I might never have tried if I had stayed at home.