Arriving here in China has changed my life more than I originally expected. Yet, in other ways, it has felt like the status quo, or sometimes even better. Some things on this list are things I didn’t expect to miss, but they’ve become dear to my heart, or were simply things I thought I would find easily. Others, I knew before I even boarded the plane, I would miss dearly.
Cheez-Its
Taking the first spot on my list is a classic American snack. You can find them at every convenience store, grocery store, supermarket, and even in places you wouldn’t expect. These small squares are baked to perfection: crispy, cheesy, and salty. Truly a marvel of post-processed food — 100% unhealthy, but still absolutely delicious. They come in many different flavors and styles, but the fan favorite is the Extra Toasty variation. While you can easily find Cheez-Its on Taobao, the alternative versions are much harder to come by. The Extra Toasty variety takes the classic recipe and bakes it a little longer, adding a smoky, slightly overcooked (but not burnt) cheese flavor.
Carolina-Style Barbecue Restaurants
South Carolina’s barbecue restaurants are more of an experience than just a place to eat delicious food. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly company set the tone. The food is often served buffet-style, laid out in giant metal trays under hot lamps. The staples of this kind of restaurant include pulled pork with Carolina gold barbecue sauce, fried chicken so crispy it gives an audible crunch, green beans simmered in pork fat and bacon for hours until they’re fork-tender, and always some form of creamy, cheesy baked macaroni and cheese. What makes these places truly special is that each restaurant has its own unique specialties and selection of side dishes (affectionately referred to as fixins). Some places offer just 6-8 items on the buffet, but they perfect those few dishes; others offer upwards of 40 choices, making it easy for anyone to find something they love. This style of restaurant is already hard to find outside of my home state, which only has a few million people, so I believe it might be nearly impossible to find here in China. At least until I open one myself!
Sweet Tea
Third — but definitely not last — is sweet tea. This drink is always served cold, and most of the time over ice. Every restaurant and grocery store in the southern half of the United States offers this as its most popular beverage. It’s a simple drink, but it’s also a specialty, even served at barbecue restaurants. The best replacement here is to make it yourself, and for the most part, it does the job!
