Whether it’s a new job or attending university or college, there are many situations where you can find yourself far from home. In these times, even the smallest change can take some time to grow accustomed to.

When it comes to food, it should be no surprise that there will be some sort of culture shock. Whether it’s moving town or moving country, it’s difficult to remove yourself from your comfort zone into somewhere you’re not familiar with and you’ll need to consider how you’ll ingratiate yourself with your new surroundings.

New Location, same Cuisine

One of the easier ways to help ease into a new area is to look for places that do similar cooking and food. You might not have the same local restaurants, but that isn’t to say there aren’t a large variety of Indian restaurants in your area. The restaurant in question may be new, but if you’re a fan of the food then you have an understanding of what you’re ordering and eating. This way, you’re testing new waters without any major risk.

Ordering in can also prove useful when you’re tight on time. You can still experience the local area and familiarise yourself with the food on offer but you don’t have to sacrifice hours at a restaurant to do it.

Cooking for yourself

Likewise, if you have a taste for cooking yourself, it helps to know where to get the best, cheap, local ingredients. This is something you can again look up online, or simply ask around. Whether it’s the local supermarket or a traditional market with unique opportunities, never underestimate the power of local knowledge.

New Tastes, Old Boundaries

Finally, when you are comfortable in any region, don’t be afraid to try new things. Variety is important in any aspect of life and, when it comes to food, this will stop you eating the same food over and over again.

Getting complacent means food becomes boring, and you’re often stuck at the same places for lack of interest elsewhere. Being adventurous, on the other hand, gives you access to new bargains and offers, integrates you better with the local community and generally allows you to be more outgoing.

A wider knowledge of local restaurants, for instance, allows you to make your own personal recommendations and help others down the line, too, which can always prove useful in social situations.