Us/mexican/middle Eastern Food To Ship By Boat?

[chuckfee]

Hi there. It looks like I'll be moving to Bangkok in the next month

or two. My employer is willing to pay to ship some belongings via

boat. Since we own very little it seems like a good way to use this

allowance is to bring specialized food that might be hard to find

or very expensive.

From reading the archives, mexican food is in short supply. I'm thinking

we should bring over the spicey carrots, hot sauces, refried beans,

masa mix, etc.

I imagine the standard usa products (chocolate chips, peanut

butter, etc.) might also be a good idea - though I guess the

chocolate will melt!

We really enjoy eating middle eastern food. Is it necessary to bring

along stuff like dolmas (grape leaves) or tahini? What about spices

and juices (pomegranate?) I really like Ajvar (a red pepper/aubergine

spread) and lentils.

What about soy milk? My wife is picky for a certain USA brand (edensoy)

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

--chuck

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Hi there. It looks like I'll be moving to Bangkok in the next month

or two. My employer is willing to pay to ship some belongings via

boat. Since we own very little it seems like a good way to use this

allowance is to bring specialized food that might be hard to find

or very expensive.

From reading the archives, mexican food is in short supply. I'm thinking

we should bring over the spicey carrots, hot sauces, refried beans,

masa mix, etc.

I imagine the standard usa products (chocolate chips, peanut

butter, etc.) might also be a good idea - though I guess the

chocolate will melt!

We really enjoy eating middle eastern food. Is it necessary to bring

along stuff like dolmas (grape leaves) or tahini? What about spices

and juices (pomegranate?) I really like Ajvar (a red pepper/aubergine

spread) and lentils.

What about soy milk? My wife is picky for a certain USA brand (edensoy)

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

--chuck

Although imported stuff is more expensive here, how much peanut butter can you eat to make shipping it really worthwhile.

And, if you're in the sort of job where your boss is paying for shipping then the extra cost of the sort of things you're talking about is not really an issue.

IMHO things like kitchen appliances are good things to bring over - when I did my shipment a few months ago that was the main thing I took -things like espresso machines, premium cookware, etc.

There is a wide range of Soy milk sold here - I don't know what you're wife likes - go to an oriental supermarket and they can tell you what comes from Thailand, see if your wife likes it.

Food is subject to 70% import tax, regardless of any restrictions - and the way they decide the price is completely arbitary - so it could cost a lot more.

[Curt]

IMHO things like kitchen appliances are good things to bring over - when I did my shipment a few months ago that was the main thing I took -things like espresso machines, premium cookware, etc.

Leave all your applainces at home.

Thailand is 220VAC, 50hertz, your US stuff is 110VAC, 60hertz.

Transformers are a real pain.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

IMHO things like kitchen appliances are good things to bring over - when I did my shipment a few months ago that was the main thing I took -things like espresso machines, premium cookware, etc.

Leave all your applainces at home.

Thailand is 220VAC, 50hertz, your US stuff is 110VAC, 60hertz.

Transformers are a real pain.

Sorry, I forgot - I am from the UK - anything will just plug in.

I had a friend from Canada who took back a food processor and an espresso machine. He plugged in the food processor and promptly blew it up - unfazed by this he went on the plug in the espresso machine and blew it up too

[1bigeater56]

IMHO things like kitchen appliances are good things to bring over - when I did my shipment a few months ago that was the main thing I took -things like espresso machines, premium cookware, etc.

Leave all your applainces at home.

Thailand is 220VAC, 50hertz, your US stuff is 110VAC, 60hertz.

Transformers are a real pain.

Sorry, I forgot - I am from the UK - anything will just plug in.

I had a friend from Canada who took back a food processor and an espresso machine. He plugged in the food processor and promptly blew it up - unfazed by this he went on the plug in the espresso machine and blew it up too

Spicy carrots? Thailand has a ton of carrots and they are cheap. Get a cook book and you can make your own. Also the same for peanut butter. Thailand has a ton of peanuts and you can buy peanut butter made locally and huge bags of peanuts. If you want to you can buy a small commercial peanut butter machine and any time you want to make it you just drop in the peanuts. You can do this with cashews and also sesame seeds if you like.

Thailand now has some pretty decent cookware. If you are planning to open a restaurant or something I would bring stainless pans bought at a second hand shop. Here the new ones are expensive and second hand are not found.

As far as masa goes, how much masa can you ship? Are you planning on selling it? Because anyone who would buy it would want a steady supply. Also no real profit in it. Instead bring a commercial tortilla machine. One for flour and one for corn tortillas.

Make sure you declare everything even if you are coming with a Thai wife and getting an exemption.

Thailand is not like it was in the 70s and 80s. Almost any food product is now available and many other items are easy to get. Ordering over the internet is fast and TNT, DHL, Fed Ex and UPS regularly ship here and get through customs easily.

The only benefit to shipping things here is that the container is cheap to ship into Thailand because there are so many containers going out. Fill up with your personal stuff and anything else you believe is cheaper in the UK but otherwise take a visit and see what things cost and then go back and ship.

Edited February 19, 2006 by 1bigeater56

[Mobi]

Why don't you ship over your very own Mexican restaurant complete with Mexican Chef!

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

There are plenty of Mexican resaturants here, and many specialist supermarkets that provide almost any ingredient you can dream of; and the fresh food markets have an endless varieties of veg and fruit. You are obviously on a mega expat, tax free salary so why worry aboput the cost?

And what's wrong with trying all the wonderful Asian cuisines that are availble here - Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean et al. You will never have another opportunity to tempt you taste buds so widely.

On second thoughts, just load up a 747 cargo plane with mexican dips and peanut butter.

Have a nice day

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Why don't you ship over your very own Mexican restaurant complete with Mexican Chef!

They have enough trouble with burmese illegals here without containers full of mexicans!

[griser]

Bring something that can't be had here cheaply....Good Cheese,

Tortilla shells, burrito wraps ext. oh and some nice avacados!!

Let me know when you get here. I'll come over and help you east all that

Greg

[Ulysses G.]

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

You've obviously never been to San Francisco.

[Mobi]

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

You've obviously never been to San Francisco.

Yes I have - three times

I stand by what I say

We all have different opinions - so I won't argue

[Ulysses G.]

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

You've obviously never been to San Francisco.

Yes I have - three times

I stand by what I say

We all have different opinions - so I won't argue

Let's just say that you didn't look around very much - and we haven't even gotten to the difference in quality of the food yet.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Bring something that can't be had here cheaply....Good Cheese,

Tortilla shells, burrito wraps ext. oh and some nice avacados!!

Let me know when you get here. I'll come over and help you east all that

Greg

I can't imagine that cheese and avocados will be in very good condition after a few weeks travelling overseas in a container

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

You've obviously never been to San Francisco.

Yes I have - three times

I stand by what I say

We all have different opinions - so I won't argue

Let's just say that you didn't look around very much - and we haven't even gotten to the difference in quality of the food yet.

I don't know, I think some of the Thai food in Bangkok is quite good

[Mobi]

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

You've obviously never been to San Francisco.

Yes I have - three times

I stand by what I say

We all have different opinions - so I won't argue

Let's just say that you didn't look around very much - and we haven't even gotten to the difference in quality of the food yet.

Maybe you haven't looked around much in Bangkok ( to say nothing of the rest of Thailand).

Why don't we just agree to disagree, 'coz clearly neither of us are going to budge on this one

[just_Elaine]

Chuckfee,

We, my husband and I, can only tell you what our experience has been. When we first moved overseas (to Saudi Arabia) 15 years ago, our employer had quite a liberal annual shipping policy. Each year we would load up on our favorite food items and put them in our shipment. After awhile, we noticed that the stuff would just sit in the pantry. We found that we had adapted to what was available locally and ate what was fresh.

Have you been to Thailand before? Do you like Thai/Oriental food? If so, you’ll love the fresh produce (not to mention the prices). For instance, we get a bunch of great looking basil for less than 10 cents. Fresh coriander (cilantro) is used a lot here so it is easy to make a Mexican salsas and soups. The dry black beans are easy to find so you can easily whip up a delicious Mexican meal. Both corn and flour tortillas are readily available. You may want to bring dried chilis if you’re used to using them.

Here in Chiang Mai, there are a couple of stores that have a nice selection of imported groceries. I imagine Bangkok is even better. We’ve been to Foodland and Emporium in Bangkok which although expensive has a great meat selection including Kobe beef.

I’ve seen the brown lentils and the yellow split lentils here. I’ve not seen the orange ones.

I haven’t ever looked for tahini here, but we’ll look next time we go shopping.

One thing you may want to check is to see if the place you will be staying has an oven. If so, you may want to bring a pizza brick and paddle.

Elaine

[Ulysses G.]

Bring something that can't be had here cheaply....Good Cheese,

Tortilla shells, burrito wraps ext. oh and some nice avacados!!

Let me know when you get here. I'll come over and help you east all that

Greg

I can't imagine that cheese and avocados will be in very good condition after a few weeks travelling overseas in a container

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

You've obviously never been to San Francisco.

Yes I have - three times

I stand by what I say

We all have different opinions - so I won't argue

Let's just say that you didn't look around very much - and we haven't even gotten to the difference in quality of the food yet.

I don't know, I think some of the Thai food in Bangkok is quite good

Yes it is, however, the argument is about international food in Bangkok, which - after living in Thailand for more than 15 years - I can regretfully assure you has nothing compared to somewhere like San Francisco or New York City no matter how much someone insists otherwise.

(Mobi D'Ark @ 2006-02-19 12:23:42)

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Bring something that can't be had here cheaply....Good Cheese,

Tortilla shells, burrito wraps ext. oh and some nice avacados!!

Let me know when you get here. I'll come over and help you east all that

Greg

I can't imagine that cheese and avocados will be in very good condition after a few weeks travelling overseas in a container

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

You've obviously never been to San Francisco.

Yes I have - three times

I stand by what I say

We all have different opinions - so I won't argue

Let's just say that you didn't look around very much - and we haven't even gotten to the difference in quality of the food yet.

I don't know, I think some of the Thai food in Bangkok is quite good

Yes it is, however, the argument is about international food in Bangkok, which - after living in Thailand for more than 15 years - I can regretfully assure you has nothing compared to somewhere like San Francisco or New York City no matter how much someone insists otherwise.

(Mobi D'Ark @ 2006-02-19 12:23:42)

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

I think you have to remember where you are. You're comparing 2 of the best cities in the world cuisine-wise to a city in Asia. Unless you're willing to shell out big bucks in the middle-east or Japan, what do you expect? Tell me anywhere - in the region - you can have such an affordable choice as Bangkok?

[Ulysses G.]

QUOTE(Ulysses G. @ 2006-02-20 10:00:18)

Yes it is, however, the argument is about international food in Bangkok, which - after living in Thailand for more than 15 years - I can regretfully assure you has nothing compared to somewhere like San Francisco or New York City no matter how much someone insists otherwise.

Mobi D'Ark @ 2006-02-19 12:23:42)

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

'Grant' date='2006-02-27 03:00:23' post='659738'

I think you have to remember where you are. You're comparing 2 of the best cities in the world cuisine-wise to a city in Asia.

I agree completely.

It is absurd to state that Bangkok has "more international cuisine per square mile than any American city", as has been claimed here, but Bangkok is still quite good, as long as one doesn't get carried away.

Edited February 27, 2006 by Ulysses G.

[Mobi]

..... however, the argument is about international food in Bangkok, which - after living in Thailand for more than 15 years - I can regretfully assure you has nothing compared to somewhere like San Francisco or New York City no matter how much someone insists otherwise.

(Mobi D'Ark @ 2006-02-19 12:23:42)

You're coming to one of the greatest most exciting cities on earth, with more international cuisine per square mile than any American city.

Obviously American and and biased - or you simply don't know where to go in Bangkok. I used to have an office in New york, so I know that city pretty well. I stand by what I say....

By the way, international cuisine would include all Asian cuisine - including Thai. (I was talking to an American)

My last word on this subject, (as its getting pretty boring) so if you wish to have a last last word, feel free to do so. Byee..

[Ulysses G.]

Nothing to do with being American. More to do with having common sense.

As another poster stated:

'Grant' date='2006-02-27 03:00:23' post='659738'

I think you have to remember where you are. You're comparing 2 of the best cities in the world cuisine-wise to a city in Asia.

That pretty much says it all.