Chionggirl in Shanghai

As the weather makes a dip south, I decided it is time that I buy my 3rd appliance in Shanghai, the heater.

My original plan is to hop on a bus that brings me to the only mega supermarket I know, Carrefour. I had always wanted to check out Tesco, but the Chinese website doesn't seemed to provide me with alot of guidelines.

Anyways, so I hopped on to the same Carrefour-bus and was all prepared to alight at the Carrefour stop when I saw the big Tesco sign as the bus passed the stop. This is it, an opportunity for me to explore Tesco! So I alighted like everyone else and head on to Carrefour.

We know that there isn't any Tesco in Singapore, so i am curious what has this supermarket brand got to offer. It is essentially similar to Carrefour, however, this one that I go is defintely going to be my default supermarket in Shanghai. Below is the evaluation between the both:

Transportation -
Carrefour 1 - Only one bus takes me to the one that I go to regularly.
Tesco 3 - There are 3 bus lines that takes me to and from Tesco

Variety -
Carrefour 1 - It has quite a number of offers
Tesco - 2 I dunno if it was my first time to the supermarket, but I feel that they have more to offer compared to Carrefour

Durians -
Carrefour - 0 Didn't really see them
Tesco - 1 Saw large ones on display, and they are void of the durian smell! Kinda weird huh... I doubt they are as good as the ones back home anyway

So it is clear that Tesco has my vote and I am so happy that I have found a mega supermarket that is so close to my place! Woohoo! I am looking forward to supermarket shopping!

In Shanghai, you have literally access to food products that are comparable to Singapore.

However for many of us Singaporeans, none can be compared with the 'ang moh jiak' (westernised food products) we can get from conveniently from Singaporean supermarkets. There are just some food that the Chinese cannot replicate.

I am one such person, however, the desire for such products is lesser I guess, since I don't cook much at home. But I have to admit, having such food does bring some comfort.

I have been to two supermarkets that sells 'ang moh jia'. One of them is in the Jing An Si area, called the Jiu Guang Supermarket and the other one, which I went to yesterday, was called City Shop, located at the Shanghai Centre.

Ok, maybe some of these MAY BE found in the Carrefour and the Tesco here, but so far, I haven't seen them. Yet.

The price of the foodstuffs in City Shop are, I would say, comparable to the price back home, of course it would be slightly higher. It is still rare commodity, since only a minor group of the population here consumes them. I was just checking out, so I bought these sauces and canned food. Yes, Ayam brand canned salmon in mayonaise is important. So are beans in ketchup and Heinz ketchup sauce. I am a pretty much a soupy person, and Campbell of course, is my choice.

City Shop is a disappointment though. I can't find my Post Blueberry Morning cereal. Duh. I would probably have better luck in Jiu Guang. Hmm. I think I will probably try Pines Supermarket in my next supermarket post.