Managing meals in England

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator21 November 2025 09:28:56

14940

Hello everyone,

Managing meals day-to-day can sometimes be a real mental challenge, even more so when you land in a new environment, with different schedules, habits or ingredients. How do you manage your meal routine as an expat in England? We invite you to share your experience in order to help fellow expats and soon-to-be expats.

What are the main changes you have made to your meal routine since settling in England?

Did you face any challenges to adapt to new meal habits?

Do you cook fresh meals everyday or do you meal prep? Why?

If you live with your family, do you prepare meals for everyone for school or work? Are canteens available?

Do you usually eat out for lunch or dinner or do you prefer eating at home?

What surprised you the most about meals in England, either in terms of habits, timing, portions, meal composition, food culture, etc.?

Share your insights, experience and meal routines!

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
Expat.com Team

Fred Indonesia Expert

Member since 02 August 2009

A smile is the universal welcome.
Max Eastman

FredIndonesia Expert26 November 2025 12:17:59

29818

England is a very easy county for expats who want their local foods, especially if you live in a city.

Most small to mediun size towns have Indian and Chinese places, and medium to large towns generally have a variety of shops that serve food from a good number of countries.

Rotherham, a nothing special town in South Yorkshire, has food from at least 10 countries that I tried (and enjoyed). There are likely a lot more now.

Cities the size of Sheffield have more food from more places than I can remember. It's hard to find countries that aren't represented.

London has everything with the possible exception of North Korea.

That makes it easy for expats, and food heaven for locals.

Muibmuel Active member

Member since 07 November 2014

MuibmuelActive member03 December 2025 04:55:13

Hi Cherly

I've lived in Birmingham, Peteborough, Bristol and Glasgow. Birmingham was the cheapest but hard to find min. wage jobs others were expensive compared to Birm.

However in most cities there would be always a knows place with cheap groceries and you could stack up for a week or more depending on your need, i have a big family so i would buy a whole lamp or sheep for a very good price 7/kg which is very good compared to 12-13/kg.

There is a very wide range of specific country shops even like Vietnamese or African rare food.

Schools usually offer kids free meals until 2kg after that meal cost is 2.5 quids.

Eating outside could be expensive in bigger cities but portions are alot better than other countries ive lived in, alot of the time you could be full and take the rest of the food home