Backpack, Snacks, and Supermarket Adventures: How I Eat Like a Local

When most people think of culinary travel, they picture bustling restaurants, food tours, or street markets. But for me, some of the best foodie adventures happen somewhere unexpected: the supermarket. For a vegetarian traveller, supermarkets abroad—and even at home—are lifesavers, treasure troves, and cultural experiences all rolled into one.

According to Skyscanner’s 2026 Travel Trends, 43% of travellers plan to explore local supermarkets abroad. In the UK, 73% of travellers report they often visit local stores while exploring new cities. And honestly, after years of backpacking, I can see why—it’s convenient, cost-effective, and endlessly fun. Exploring supermarkets while travelling has quickly become my favourite way to discover local flavours and enjoy food abroad on my own terms.

Why I Love Supermarket Adventures

Being vegetarian while travelling can be tricky. Menus aren’t always clearly labelled, translations can be misleading, and ordering a meal can feel like a guessing game. For local vegetarian options worldwide, I always check HappyCow before I shop or eat.

Plus, supermarkets are less intimidating than restaurants, especially if you’re on the move. If I don’t have time to sit down, picking up a snack or ready-to-eat meal lets me experience the culture without the pressure. There’s something delightful about choosing a snack, unwrapping it, and discovering a flavour I’ve never tried before. That’s why I love supermarket food items—small, affordable, and full of local personality.

Japan: 7-Eleven Adventures

One of my favourite experiences exploring supermarkets while travelling was in Japan. I popped into a 7-Eleven in Tokyo on a busy morning, curious more than hungry. The aisles were full of snacks that looked both familiar and completely foreign: noodle rolls, crisps with unusual flavours, onigiri rice balls, and colourful drinks I’d never seen before.

Being vegetarian, I was cautious, but there were plenty of safe options. I ended up grabbing a roll filled with noodles and a bag of crisps—classic supermarket food to go. Eating them on a park bench, watching the city wake up, I felt a sense of familiarity mixed with discovery. Supermarket food Japan is incredible because it combines convenience, affordability, and cultural insight all in one bite.

Freedom and Flexibility on the Go

One of the things I love about exploring supermarkets while travelling is the freedom it offers. You can discover local flavours at your own pace, without worrying about restaurant hours or reservations.

Whether it’s a long train ride, a short layover, or a hike between cities, a quick supermarket stop can provide a meal, a snack, and a slice of local life all at once. I love mixing comfort with adventure: picking up something familiar if I’m feeling homesick—like fruit or bread—and pairing it with something entirely new, like a local juice or snack I’ve never tried before.

Supermarket Safaris at Home: The UK Edition

Exploring supermarkets isn’t just for far-flung destinations—it happens at home too. In the UK, stores like Tesco and Sainsbury’s feature international aisles that let you taste flavours from around the world.

Even at home, I use supermarket adventures as a way to experiment with food abroad. Japanese snacks, Turkish spices, or South American teas are all tucked in my local store. For vegetarians like me, UK supermarkets now offer a variety of plant-based and locally sourced options, making it easy to try new things while staying mindful of my diet.

Visiting UK stores also gives insight into regional culinary culture: cheeses, breads, and local snacks tell a story about the area and its people. It’s fascinating how supermarkets—both abroad and at home—can act as mini cultural hubs.

Cost-Effective Culinary Exploration

Eating out every meal while travelling can be expensive. Supermarket food items and supermarket food to go are a cost-effective way to enjoy authentic flavours without breaking the bank. A handful of snacks from a local store often costs less than a single restaurant dish but provides just as much insight into local tastes and trends.

Being able to budget for meals while still exploring new cultures is especially helpful on long-term trips or city-hopping adventures. You can try multiple flavours, discover new brands, and eat on the go—all while keeping your travel costs down.

Learning About Culture, One Snack at a Time

Supermarkets aren’t just about food—they’re about culture. Packaging, flavours, and what locals buy most often provide a window into daily life that restaurants can’t always replicate.

I love seeing how different countries reinterpret familiar foods. In Japan, convenience stores have sushi, sandwiches, and even pasta snacks tailored to local tastes. In Iceland, corner shops offer bread baked in geothermal heat. Across Europe, regional cheeses, cured meats, and artisanal snacks sit alongside international staples.

Every snack tells a story. For vegetarians, it’s also a lesson in local approaches to plant-based eating: which ingredients are common, which flavours are popular, and how traditional dishes are adapted for different diets.

The Global Market: Supermarkets as Cultural Hubs

Exploring supermarkets while travelling is part of a wider shift in the global travel market. Retailers are increasingly tailoring offerings to attract travellers:

• 7-Eleven Japan and other international branches customise products to reflect local flavours and seasonal favourites.

• Icelandic stores feature items like geothermal-baked bread and regionally sourced dairy.

• European chains highlight local cheeses, cured meats, and artisanal snacks alongside international staples.

For travellers, this means supermarkets are more than convenience—they’re cultural hubs where you can experience local life, discover new foods, and even spot global trends in snack preferences.

Practical Tips for Vegetarian Travellers

If you want to try your own supermarket safari, here’s what I’ve learned along the way:

1. Look for familiar ingredients: Fruit, bread, rice, noodles, and packaged veggies are usually safe bets.

2. Use translation apps: They can help check ingredients on pre-packaged meals.

3. Mix familiar with adventurous: Pair known snacks with local delicacies to ease into new flavours.

4. Ask locals: Store staff or fellow shoppers often know which items are vegetarian-friendly.

5. Enjoy the pace: Don’t rush. Part of the joy is lingering in the aisles, discovering little surprises.

The Joy of Independent Culinary Exploration

For me, exploring supermarkets while travelling is as much about the experience as the food itself. I can wander at my own pace, make discoveries, and craft meals or snacks that fit my travel day. It’s personal, flexible, and surprisingly intimate.

Whether you’re wandering the aisles of a Tokyo 7-Eleven, a Reykjavik corner store, or a Tesco in Manchester, supermarket safaris are about curiosity, discovery, and flexibility. They let you eat like a local, travel affordably, and experience culture on your own terms—no matter where you are.

Supermarket safaris have changed the way I travel. They’ve made my vegetarian lifestyle easier, my culinary experiences richer, and my adventures more flexible. Next time you’re abroad—or even exploring your own city—skip the long restaurant queue and step into a local grocery store.

Wander the aisles. Try a snack. Feel like a local. Learn about a culture. And enjoy the small, delicious moments that make travel unforgettable.

Because sometimes, the best way to eat like a local isn’t sitting down—it’s picking up a roll, a bag of crisps, or a mysterious snack from a shelf, and discovering the world, one bite at a time.