A German Expat’s Cost of Food and Drinks in Taiwan

Most of the corporate executives who are working as expats in Taiwan might be troubled about how to make ends meet. Unknown to many, even though a hefty sum is given to them as salary, their daily to monthly expenses can weigh them down financially. Germans are associated with good food and good beverage.  Taiwan is known for their own tastes but their flavors are hardly similar to those of German fare.

When in Taiwan, Do What the Taiwanese Do
There is a saying that for a foreigner to adjust to a new country, he needs to adapt their culture and way of living.  Food is no different.  While Euros and American Dollars can purchase several food items for German expats, the fact still remains that the cost of food in Taiwan is higher.  This is a place where home cooked food is preferred to restaurant food.  Serving food prepared the slow-cooked way is the way to go in Taiwan.  Drinking and dining out can put a dent on the expat’s budget.  This may be the time to drink tea at home instead of drinking alcohol at a bar to save the money.

German expats in Taiwan would have to take note of the following concerns as they leave their home country to work across the globe in Asia:

Gold and Standard Ale vs. The Lesser Spirits

Germans are beer drinkers by nature – the entire world is thankful for their exceptional brews and draft beer. Germany is famous for its Oktoberfest where millions of beer lovers across the globe party and chug down volumes of different beer brands. However, an unfortunate truth prevails in Taiwan: beer is very expensive.

Corporate executives who need to unwind after a hard day’s work would look for their beverage of choice.  Most German expats will wince at the thought of just one serving of beer before they call it a night. There are convenience stores that sell beer that costs around 1.8 USD. Cost implications with force German expats to settle for cheap beer at an eyebrow-raising price. When taste cannot be compensated, most Germans head to pubs or restaurants and concede to the high prices.  For a 660ml bottle of beer in Taiwanese restaurants, expect to burn 6.63 USD.  The normal six to ten bottles of beer will quench a German expat’s thirst for their beloved brew, but it will dry out his wallet.

On Schnitzels and Pretzels

Food from an Asian country is a far cry from those served in patisseries and boulangeries found in Germany. Expats who yearn to have a taste of the beer and bread in their homeland will be a little disappointed.  They will have to fork over as much as 59NT for a loaf of bread.  Converted into western currencies, this is around 2 USD or 1.53 Euro.  Compared to airy European breads, Asian bread is heavy and dense.  Oftentimes, they are filled with either a meat filling or a sweet filling.

As a corporate executive, fine dining will cost a lot.  Taiwanese restaurants offer more expensive meals. On an average meal, an expat will have to shell out 200NT.  For most German expats splurging more of their New Taiwan Dollars for their midday meals is preferable.