Finding Familiar Flavors: The Search for Cup Noodles in the UK

Cup noodles are a favorite for many, whether as a late-night snack, a quick meal, or simply to satisfy a craving. For Hongkongers, cup noodles are more than just a convenient food—they are a habit, a staple that has been part of life since childhood. However, upon moving to the UK, I discovered that the selection of cup noodles here is vastly different from what I was used to in Hong Kong. This stark contrast inevitably made me long for the familiar flavors that were once so easy to enjoy.

Supermarkets in the UK do sell instant noodles, and even Nissin Demae Ramen can be found. However, the versions available here are the European editions. The first time I tried them, I immediately noticed a difference—the broth lacked the rich depth of flavor, the texture of the noodles was slightly off, and the overall taste simply didn't carry that familiar essence. Getting the Hong Kong version of Demae Ramen in the UK is possible, but the steep prices make it an impractical indulgence. This led me to explore alternatives, and among all the options, cup noodles remained my top choice for a convenient and nostalgic taste of home.

In the UK, cup noodles primarily fall into three categories: local brands, Japanese brands, and Korean brands. I decided to try all three, only to find that the local British brands were almost inedible. Everything from the broth and seasoning to the texture of the noodles felt completely foreign to my palate. The soup was either too bland or had an odd artificial taste, lacking the rich flavors commonly found in Asian cup noodles. The noodles themselves were problematic as well—either overly soft and mushy or too firm and rubbery, without the balanced chewiness I was accustomed to. After trying several varieties, I found them so unappealing that I couldn't understand how locals could enjoy them.

In contrast, Japanese and Korean cup noodles were far more suited to my taste. Japanese cup noodles had a rich and layered broth, whether it was tonkotsu, soy sauce, or miso-based, bringing back the familiar flavors I missed. Korean cup noodles, on the other hand, were known for their spiciness. Brands like Shin Ramyun and Ansungtangmyun offered bold, flavorful broths with just the right level of heat, making them especially comforting on cold days. Surprisingly, these Japanese and Korean brands were priced similarly to, or sometimes even cheaper than, the local British brands, making the choice an obvious one.

For Hongkongers living in the UK, Japanese and Korean cup noodles are undoubtedly the best options. The moment you pour hot water into a cup of these noodles, the familiar aroma fills the air, instantly transporting you back to the routines of daily life in Hong Kong. This simple pleasure not only eases homesickness but also makes one appreciate just how lucky we were in Hong Kong to have such a wide and accessible variety of cup noodles at our fingertips.

A Fresh Start: Prioritizing Health and Exercise in a New Environment

When I was living in Hong Kong, work and life were incredibly hectic, leaving me with no time to exercise at all. The most I could manage was taking a few extra steps on the street or doing some stretches at my desk, which hardly benefited my body. Most people agree that exercise is crucial for physical well-being, but in such a fast-paced city, how could anyone find time for it?

Health is extremely important, both for the body and the mind.

From the time you graduate and start working to when you retire, your body inevitably undergoes significant changes—mostly from strength to decline. This is especially true because during our youth, we are primarily focused on work and leisure, often neglecting exercise. This is particularly the case for those who work in office settings, spending the majority of their day sitting, often staring at a computer screen, which is harmful to the body. After working for nearly thirty years, by the time you retire, you are left with a worn-out, aching body. So when you look back on your life, do you feel a sense of regret?

After moving to the UK, the environment is completely different. We live in a green area surrounded by parks, with Victoria Park right downstairs. With such a wonderful environment and amenities, why not make good use of them? Why not take better care of your body?

In the park, you can ride a bike, jog, or do other exercises. We chose walking and set a daily goal of walking 10,000 steps. We walk regularly in the park and nearby areas every day, not just for ourselves but also for our families. So, it shouldn’t feel like a burden. With such a beautiful environment, taking a walk doesn’t feel tiring at all. What you couldn’t do before, you now have the chance to do. Walking 10,000 steps is good for your body, and walking with a companion allows you to share or discuss everyday life, enjoy the beauty of sunlight illuminating the earth, and be happy. It’s beneficial, so why not plan to walk every day and bring health to your body?

In the past, a busy life prevented you from exercising. Now, with a fresh start, it’s time to reorganize your life and carve out some time for exercise! Don’t make excuses anymore. For the sake of your health, plan well and live well. Health is wealth, and a life full of vitality brings hope for the future.

Because there is nothing to be afraid of if it rains!

Is the UK economic environment good or bad? It seems that the economic environment has not improved. We have only seen many shops closing one after another. Although it does not mean that the economic environment has declined sharply, we who live in the local area feel the economic downturn and unstable living environment.

As long as you go to County Square, which is the shopping mall, the only shopping mall here, you will see that there are not many people, the number of vacant shops is increasing day by day, and it feels deserted. Before we arrived, there was an H&M fashion store here, but unfortunately it had closed before we arrived, and the shop remained vacant until March.

The mall has always had a low flow of people, but now some stores have closed down. From the earlier pizza shop On pizza, Wilko, body shop, select (selling clothes), to the recent Peacock (also selling clothes), Shops are closing one by one, and it seems that the economy has taken a turn for the worse.

In fact, we often visit this store called Peacock. In addition to the ground floor, there is also an upper floor. However, there are always very few people and there is basically not enough business. How can it maintain operations? It seems that another group of people have lost their jobs, and these people have gone to work in other organizations. It seems that the number of positions has decreased, and there are more people looking for jobs in disguise, making it more difficult to find jobs.

Although the economic environment is poor, the mentality of the people here is to accept the situation and face it optimistically. In other words, one should be optimistic as a person, otherwise life will be more difficult.

When you come to the UK, it is easier to find a job in those areas. Of course, it is in the big cities, such as London, Manchester City, Birmingham, etc., but if you live in a small town, there will be fewer job opportunities than in other places. But I believe that you will definitely find a job if you look hard. 

Even if it rains tomorrow, it will always be sunny one day: Even if it rains, there is no need to be afraid, because there is nothing to be afraid of if it rains!

A Different Graduation Ceremony

At the end of June and the beginning of July each year, kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools in Hong Kong hold graduation ceremonies, which are always grand and serious. For example, in kindergartens and primary schools, there will be a ceremony to present graduation certificates, along with various retrospectives and performances. However, how does graduation work in the UK when students complete Year 6 and move on to secondary school?

For children attending schools in smaller towns, graduation ceremonies may be different. I'll share how my child spent their last day at this primary school and what the graduation was like.

There might not be a traditional graduation ceremony here; instead, they have a 'Leaver Assembly,' where the entire school and Year 6 parents come together to review their years of learning. Each student gets a chance to share, and they sing together. Although there are no elaborate performances or graduation certificates awarded, their heartfelt sharing about their time at the school deeply moves everyone present. As they are about to depart and go their separate ways, both teachers and parents become emotional, shedding tears, as it's difficult to part ways after six years of learning and playing together.

Even if some students joined the school midway, like our child, and only spent a year together, they still feel a sense of sadness and cry. This is different from Hong Kong, where the focus is not just on chasing academic scores but on joyful learning every day and building friendly relationships with classmates. Quality matters here, and the learning experience is more holistic.

In the morning, there's the Leaver Assembly, which is emotional, and parents bring plenty of tissues. Then, just before finishing, there's a special ritual or tradition at this school called the 'Year 6 Water fight.' The principal and teachers join in, and everyone has a lot of fun, joyfully ending their primary school journey. They are called 'Leavers,' but they are merely leaving primary school and will become Year 7 students in secondary school, so their learning continues seamlessly until they graduate from secondary school.

The past year of British primary school life has been enriching for my child. Although the time was short, it was fulfilling. They gained not just academic achievements but also unforgettable life experiences, made good friends, and received help from teachers – much more than just focusing on grades. Some might say we are running away from academics by leaving, and that might be true. The pressure was too much for us to handle. However, looking back, and after comparing, leaving was our choice, as it led to a joyful learning experience.

Everyone has the right to choose, and it's essential to choose what makes you happy in this short life!

Ashford High Street

Every town in the country has a street called High Street, and this street is a place where all kinds of shops and services are available, so there is basically no need to worry about the lack of daily necessities. However, there are no high-rise buildings, and large supermarkets may require a bit of walking to reach.

From where we live, we can walk over a footbridge and cross the road to get to High Street. Basically, there are no vehicles allowed on High Street, so residents can feel safe while shopping here. And as for what High Street has, all the essential daily necessities are available. After crossing the road, we can see a bus stop, and most of the buses from this bus stop go to ASDA, Tesco Extra, and the hospital, among other places. 

Near the bus stop, there is a shopping mall entrance where you can find restaurants, such as Indian cuisine, and hair salons. There are quite a few hair salons around here, and their prices are not expensive. An adult's haircut costs around £15, while seniors can enjoy a discount of £10. Inside the mall, there are various stores, including a Poundland supermarket, clothing stores, pizza shops, burger joints, bookstores, shoe stores, eyewear shops, and more. Although the mall is not big, it has a complete range of stores. 

Exiting the shopping mall, there are shops lining both sides of the street, including Tesco express, B&M, post office, Boots, KFC, McDonald's, HSBC, Lloyds bank, Metro Bank, as well as other shoe stores, pharmacies, and so on that cannot be listed exhaustively. In short, as long as you have money, you can buy anything on High Street. There are occasional street performances in the middle of the street, and there are also performances inside the mall from time to time, making High Street a must-visit place for residents. 

When we go to High Street, we usually go to Iceland to buy frozen food such as meat, chicken, and seafood, which are relatively cheap. For household items, we recommend going to Wilko, and Poundland inside the mall is similar to Hong Kong's 12-dollar stores, while Boots is like Hong Kong's Watsons. There is a larger supermarket nearby called Lidl, but it's not a must-go as the prices are lower and they have fresh bread to buy. 

So, no matter where you go in the UK, as long as you walk to the High Street, you won't be lacking in essential goods, as long as you bring money and a few reusable bags. Our introduction to High Street may not be comprehensive, so you can also discover new things on the street.