SPENDING €100 AT THE EXPAT SHOP (americans living in the netherlands)

In this episode, Michelle and Alex, two Americans living abroad in the Netherlands, take a trip to their local expat shop to pick up their favorite snacks from the United States, along with some insane snacks that our Instagram followers voted on that probably shouldn't be consumed by humans.
Episode 100 · Filmed on October 8, 2023 · Dordrecht and Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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0:00 Introduction
0:32 Shopping at our local expat shop
1:29 Item 1 (Michelle and Alex's pick)
2:07 Item 2 (Alex's pick)
3:20 Item 3 (Michelle and Alex's pick)
4:26 Item 4 (Michelle's pick)
5:17 Item 5 (Michelle's pick)
6:19 Item 6 (Michelle and Alex's pick)
7:17 Item 7 (Michelle and Alex's pick)
8:26 Y'all picked these last few...
9:11 Item 8 (Instagram pick)
10:20 Item 9 (Instagram pick)
11:29 Item 10 (Instagram pick)
12:41 Forgot this last item...
13:29 Best and least best snack?
14:10 How much did we spend today?
14:42 Wrap up
#netherlands #expatlife #livingabroad
---
WHO IS BUNCHARTED?
We're Michelle and Alex, an American expat couple living abroad in the Netherlands. 🇳🇱
In 2020, we quit our jobs to travel the world, and... well, that didn't happen. So in 2022, we decided to make an even BIGGER change by packing up our lives (and our cats 🐈) and moving from Austin, Texas, in the US, to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Subscribe for new videos like this every week!

[@JohnLewis-old]

My list from the expat shop: Yellow Mustard A1 Steak Sauce Dill Pickles Penut Butter Cups Pop Tarts Anyone else have a list?

[@buncharted]

pop tarts are SO expensive here - they must be one of the most in-demand snacks! i think we'd have to agree with everything on your list except the yellow mustard. and now i'm craving dill pickles...

[@dutchgamer842]

Dill pickle is the only you need from that store, other stores have it as well, on import

[@arnonass9423]

The snacks I miss from the Netherlands are paprika chips and borrelnootjes. I loved to stop by Jamin and load up on all kinds of drop. A mix of sweet to salty.

[@StevenQ74]

The airheads look a bit like a big Fruitella(also made by Perfetti Van Melle) and if you like chips like that you should try Pickles patato chips, that flavor is from Belgium but you can get them at some Jumbo or AH supermarkets in the Netherlands as well.

[@buncharted]

the pickles chips are too sweet 😥 i will definitely give fruitella a try - thanks for the tip!

[@20kilovolt]

I thought of LangeJan snoep also made by Perfetti Van Melle

[@razorsharp9850]

@@20kilovolt definitely Lange Jan indeed

[@collectioneur]

45 years ago we still had Americans stationed at Soesterberg air base and the families lived among us. During Queen's Day they had their own food stalls and barbecue, and I still remember trying my first Mountain Dew. Kids at school kept asking what the hell happened to my tongue...

[@spoonwinnipeg2021]

I recently found a 'Dutch ex-pats in Canada' online store. They send me Chocomel & hagelslag

[@arnonass9423]

I am Dutch, living on the US west coast for 20+ years. The typical US snacks I favor here are the kettle cooked chips, especially the Maui onions flavored or the Cap Cods.

[@buncharted]

kettle chips are soooo good

[@pietergreveling]

You should try the Reuze Mergpijpen (they sell them at the AH too) and they are ten times better than a Twinkie, but a bit sweeter! 😋 It's a little cake wrapped in marzipan and dipped in chocolate at both ends and filled with raspberry and cream filling! 🤤👌🏼✌🏼

[@daphneschuring5810]

We visit Kellys at Wassenaar today. And we love it.

[@BabzV]

I love to cook, I love food and food loves me 😁so I personally really enjoy the videos where you show the food you guys eat that day. Plus it's nice to see places I've never been and knowing what yummy foods they have. 😋👌

[@hcjkruse]

the airheads are available here as a local brand too. Too long ago, to remember but the local swimming pool shop had them.

[@GoliathAngelus]

If you are looking for Cinnamon Toast Crunch,,Nestle has also a version. This you can buy only at a Polish supermarket . If you like AIRHEADS you should try FRUITELLA made by the same factory Ferfetti-Van Melle Eet makelijk!

[@buncharted]

i think they sell cinnamon toast crunch in germany - not sure why it's not in the netherlands. and thank you - we'll have to check out fruitella!!

[@GoliathAngelus]

@@buncharted We used to have quite a lot of choice for a small country, but nowadays we don't want to The Netherlands is the good boy of Europe. Thanks to a group of people (parents), the media and later our government, a lot of those breakfast cereals have been banned. I agree that it sometimes contains too much sugar, but manufacturers have never said that it is a complete breakfast. You can also see this on TV advertising and on the packaging. But we live in a rushed world where many things are skipped, including reading instructions and even breakfast. No matter how bad it may be, it is better to eat something and send or take a happy child to school than to skip breakfast.. By the may Mentos and Fruitella are the same makers, Enjoy!!

[@hansboom]

You know what just popt in to my head you two should try puddingbroodjes from a good bakery. Succes.

[@buncharted]

ooh that does sound good! we’ll keep our eyes out!

[@daphneschuring5810]

I am going to visit Kelly's at Wassenaar tomorrow. I am looking forward to it.

[@ramonamaramis]

I would definately try the cheez-itz! Main reason: i also, like Michelle, love the cheese residue that comes from making a tosti😁. Other than that: anything sour or overly sweet doesnt pass my taste buds check point lol. However, when I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago, I fell a lil bit in love with Debbie cakes, especially the fudge brownie ones! And guys, thanks again for this supernice video. You're truly stepping up your game with each viddy, so attuned with each other that it seems more like a special foody item as part of a national prime time tv show or something something. Keep up the good work guys!🙌🏽

[@buncharted]

thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️ we also love the fudge brownies from little debbie - like the twinkie they’re concerningly moist though 😂

[@ramonamaramis]

"Concerningly moist" is officially the quote of the day😁

[@O.Burger]

Ik dacht dat airheads ook in een gewone winkel in Nederland gekocht heb, iets van 25 jaar geleden. In een sigaretten winkel waar je ook nog kaugomballen kon kopen voor 5 cent per stuk. Voor nederlandse versie van airheads kunnen jullie eens kijken voor lange jan, nu onder fruitella. En ja, Van Melle is een groot bedrijf hier uit Nederland

[@_maghetweten]

If you like airheads you should buy fruitella from any supermarket. Same factory. And it is divided in little cubes. Warheads: don't miss out on 'zure matten' like sour candy airheads. When I was on holiday in Hawaii I couldn't miss out on Reese because peanut butter and chocolate just work. I like it on bread like peanut butter and hagelslag. But Reese as little in between snack does the job too. And also Hawaii short bread cookies and dried mango. Also Twinky never had it. Try mergpijpje from the bakery. Same setup: sponge cake mixed with cream and dipped in chocolate. But that taste and looks way better. You have got it in sponge cake style and just marsepein. Love them both

[@AlbertBos-rz2vs]

We are so happy that we have a kelly’s in Rotterdam now. No need to go to Wassenaar anymore. Even we Dutch sometimes are missing the US stuff.

[@Meine.Postma]

Van Nelle is know for "Toffee's" in the Netherlands

[@MichelBaek]

My favorite snack would be Cheetos. The worst would be Sour patch popcorn. Love sour candy and i love popcorn but combined sounds horrible. Expat shops sound great for expats like you who miss American snacks AND for Dutchies who want to experience real American snacks. Not like supermarket food that has “American” in the name. I like “American fritessaus” from Remia but i heard it is not typically American. It is like the yellow sauce from McDonald’s. Have a nice weekend everyone ❤❤❤

[@buncharted]

we love the mcdonald’s fritessaus here but it is completely unfamiliar to our palates 😅

[@dutchgamer842]

​@@bunchartedThat sauce is exclusively for Dutch McDonald's

[@renate2068]

Try the Asian snacks at the oriental stores (near Halte Kruisplein Rotterdam) for a few new. New is fun

[@buncharted]

oh yes we hit up the asian toko pretty regularly - we’re kind of obsessed with all asian food 🤤

[@zirca454]

I bought A&W root beer at Amazing oriental in Utrecht.

[@buncharted]

did you like it??

[@ShadowDrakken]

geebus... the expat shop has a better selection than my local grocer here in the USA...

[@buncharted]

haha well they have nothing fresh and the refrigerated and frozen sections are very limited

[@JohnWells-wv8or]

They should try making Cinnamon Toast Crunch Crisp Treats (stovetop, marshmallow, vanilla, pinch salt, optional white chocolate). Don't like paying over equivalent $4 for small box of cereal though.

[@henkhemming6674]

Hi,have you ever tried a "Bapao Broodje" ?? about every Supermarkt sells them,a round bun...with beef or chicken\satéh - in plastic ...40 secs in the microwave and bit of garlic sauce or barbeQsaus on it YUMMIE 😛 cost 99ct or sometimes 2 for 1euro

[@buncharted]

i’ve never heard of it but that sounds good - we’ll keep an eye out for them at the store! 😋

[@henkhemming6674]

yeah Bapao, sounds like BowPow,try it it's Yummie,indonesian food @@buncharted

[@henkhemming6674]

it's in the cooler,appie heijn sells it ,almost every supermercado... @@buncharted

[@henkhemming6674]

ohh and don't pinch holes in the packaging,just throw it in the microwave,you guys will love the sound of inflation 😁

[@cortonmagerman5241]

You guys should visit IFF in Tilburg sometime, they make all flavorings for products like potato chips and many other things You'll be surprised how many products get their flavor from arteficial flavoring enhancers ;)

[@ritaboes]

#buncharted Some very interesting goody's,especially the cinnamon cereal ( have to find me some😂). Im not sure if they are available in all AH's but online they sell roomboter kaneelstengels €1,85. Strong cinnamon cookies .😋😋😋.

[@MarcelL-DM]

I think we have a kind of funyuns they're called ring lings

[@Sjiesjam]

Action sells Reese. And oriental shops sell some things as well, but cheaper

[@buncharted]

AH sell reese’s too i think. but the expat shop has the holiday ones like reese’s pumpkins 🎃

[@jeffafa3096]

Somehow, I cannot get over the cheese-flavoured products from abroad. It always tastes somewhat synthetic to me. I prefer the Dutch cheese snacks, like "kaasstengels" (you can buy these at the supermarket btw).

[@nataslived7029]

In the supermarkt in NL, we have the ‘cowboy cheddar cheese’. I always wonder if this tastes the same as the american cheese in the US or is there a differents?

[@buncharted]

ooh we’ll have to check it out! i think american cheese is called “burger cheese” here in the supermarket :)

[@lennartvers1767]

Love the insight into your diet as a kid. And I am certain that Craft Mac&Cheese looks delicious.. If you're blind. Craft:"Making fake cheese taste like fake cheese since 1909.

[@buncharted]

😂😂😂 it’s definitely not cheese, but i can’t help but love it! it’s probably the chemicals telling my brain to love it 😂

[@Rienie]

My favorite are the Flamin hot Cheetos, so sad they don’t sell them at the jamin or the amazing oriental anymore. My second favorite is peanutbutter m&m. I wish they would sell them here

[@buncharted]

mmm peanut butter m&ms are so good!

[@ElMariachi1337]

When you started with the weird picks, I was like wait that was already a 100 Euro? But I'm glad it actually wasn't!

[@buncharted]

me too 😥

[@ShadowDrakken]

Barqs is one of those weird ones. In cans and bottles it has caffeine, but in fountains it doesn't because people have the expectation from other rootbeers that rootbeer is a caffeine-free alternative. That's why "Barqs has bite"

[@buncharted]

oh interesting! man i forgot how good barqs was…

[@spoonwinnipeg2021]

When we were kids, a couple of our Dutch cousins came to Winnipeg for a holiday. They tried Root Beer for the first time. They hated it and I still hear about it 45 years later.

[@peterhonig4954]

Years and years ago I visited New York and in a little shop i discovered spread cheese ( in a tube). I had vever seen that before but nowadays you can buy it in the supermarket.But it is a Danish product and the taste/flavour is quit different from the American spread. Maybe you know if the axpatshop sells American style cheese spread?? BTW as a Dutchman I like your channel and I am curiuos how you deal with the Dutch Langauge Course. Greetings from Breda (a nice city to visit!!)

[@buncharted]

we have a whole video about our dutch language journey that talks a bit about the classes we’re in! cheese spread. i’m thinking like canned spray cheese which is kinda popular in the US (it’s an ingredient in one of the main types of “cheesesteaks”). but for me, my favorite cheese spreads would be like cream cheese, boursin cheese, or the old amsterdam cheese spread!

[@ThundaStrack]

I missed cheeze whiz, Saran Wrap and Scotch Brite scouring pads.

[@peak196]

Thank you very much for your experiment, so the rest of us don't have to. Although I'd definitely try the Cheetos.

[@buncharted]

highly recommend the cheetos!

[@davidc.w.2908]

Aldi sells an alternative to the Cheetos. Very good and cheap.

[@spoonwinnipeg2021]

Does the cereal taste different with Dutch milk?

[@buncharted]

we used oatly oat milk here and that’s what we would have used in the US too 😄

[@matthijs22]

Where is this expat shop?

[@travelpointone991]

Van Melle ... the original manufacturer of the famous Mentos.

[@buncharted]

"the freshmaker" :)

[@Mesmancer]

Ik ben er van de week nog even langs geweest. Vooral om wat Fosters bier en Pot Noodle te kopen. Het enige Amerikaanse wat ik heb staan is, het vaak verguisde, Orville Redenbacher Popcorn. Maar Ik zal hier inspiratie uithalen de volgende keer eens wat anders aanschaffen. Ik wil nog steeds Ranch saus proberen, maar dat hebben ze niet altijd staan.

[@buncharted]

michelle loves ranch dressing :)

[@Mesmancer]

@@buncharted Als jullie het ergens vinden hoor ik het graag, wil het graag eens proeven.

[@EmperorStorky]

I guess you guys went to the new Kellys Expat Shopping? Been there a couple of times but boy what are they expensive, especially the breakfast items...

[@buncharted]

i was surprised how cheap some of the things were. i agree it is normally pretty expensive but the cinnnamon toast crunch was like 5 for €10 which i think is actually cheaper than it is in the US 😂

[@EmperorStorky]

That's not bad indeed, I was once in the US back in 2002/2003 and when I went to the cereal section I was surprised of the huge selection and in the end I just got something we also had over here (Kellogg's Smacks)😂@@buncharted

[@noabakker3848]

The imported food is probably also healthier than the American original one due to EU laws. Nice vid !

[@buncharted]

it does seem to come from canada - not sure if that's because it's easier for them to import it from there or if they have better food safety laws...

[@erikaverink8418]

@@buncharted Both, there is some sort of trade agreement between canada and the EU. And it includes of course food standards (otherwise illegal).

[@hcjkruse]

Warheads? , try zure matten, equivalent?

[@iekue]

They mentioned Katja zure matten in the vid as comparison ;)

[@ShadowDrakken]

I'm glad to see that they have real import shops in Netherlands. The closest we have where I'm at in the USA is "World Market" or the tiny British section at Hy-Vee, and neither of those is really very representative of the places they're importing from. My partner and I are hoping to move to Netherlands soon (early 2026 with any luck) and while we're pretty adventurous eaters, it's nice to have a small slice of home once in a while :) I do hope I can get most things WITHOUT mayonnaise though, lol XD

[@buncharted]

oh don’t worry there are a bazillion sauces here in the netherlands and mayonnaise is just one of them :) where are you at in the US?

[@ShadowDrakken]

@@buncharted I'm in Omaha at the moment. :D But I had similar experiences with a lack of import items all over the USA. Dallas/Ft Worth, Jacksonville, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas City. I usually search for them just to try interesting new things. Gotta say though, Australians got the Tim Tam, and liquorice game right XD Love me some Darrell Lea :D

[@iekue]

Note that dutch mayo is quite different from usa mayo, so ya might even not mind much!

[@ShadowDrakken]

@@iekue I hope so! I certainly plan to try it at least :D

[@Krystalfaye]

Your first two items are my kiddos favorites . Do you mind sharing the price? I assume as a novelty those things are pretty expensive, but I’d like to get some to help my kids feel a little bit of home once we get to the NL

[@buncharted]

for this trip, the cinnamon toast crunch was 5 for €10 which i think is actually cheaper than it is in the US haha, but normally it's like €7 i believe the airheads €0.40 each!

[@Krystalfaye]

We found the expat shop in Utrecht and my kiddos got their treats (airheads and sugar cookie Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Plus they got Mac n cheese and the sour patch kids popcorn. They were pretty happy. It will be a once a month treat for them I think.

[@razorsharp9850]

“What do you like about them?” Made me burst out laughing 😂 But seriously, how do you guys stay so slim while eating all the snackbar foods, saucijzenbroodjes and candy 😂

[@buncharted]

haha we eat it so rarely, just for the vlogs 😅

[@razorsharp9850]

@@bunchartedgotcha 😁 I don’t think I have ever come across my favorite chips brand / flavor in the US when I was there and wanted to grab some at a gas station or 7-11. It’s Bolognese, the best brand for that is Croky.

[@henkhemming6674]

i was wondering too

[@the_shiny_wartortle_8913]

In welke winkel hebben jullie deze etenswaren en drinkwaren gekocht?

[@buncharted]

kelly's expat shopping in rotterdam!

[@the_shiny_wartortle_8913]

@@buncharted thanks

[@ktrmeadow]

I eliminated cereal and most carbs and sugars in June. Cheese it’s and Cinnamon Toast Crunch are bagged crack in my mind. Watching this video showed how much junk food I’m no longer eating. The benefit is close to 30 pounds gone and less body inflammation.

[@buncharted]

100%. the expat shop is definitely an array of items that you just shouldn't eat much of. but it's a nice treat every now and then!

[@darknessblades]

Why not do a tour of a beer brewery next? from what I know there are 2 breweries that have tours you can take. -Hertog Jan -Bavaria

[@dmskh3571]

Where did you buy all the food?

[@buncharted]

kelly’s expat shopping in rotterdam!

[@dmskh3571]

@@buncharted Thank you i want to try some snacks. Nice video!

[@Mesmancer]

Ik heb ooit Rootbeer geprobeerd, ik vond het niet lekker. Het smaakte een beetje als mouthwash... Maar dat komt waarschijnlijk omdat ik het niet gewend ben XD

[@iekue]

Ye t smaakt naar hoe in Europa/NL hoestdrank smaakt

[@iekue]

Ah yes Root beer, the cough syrup drink... 😅

[@buncharted]

does it really taste like cough syrup to you? that’s super interesting!

[@iekue]

@@buncharted Yea its ingredients that are similar with European cough syrup / mouthwash from what i recall. Tried it once and just couldnt shake the feeling, same kinda with cream soda.

[@gnagtegaal]

I realy love the cheetos. When in the USA i could not stop eating them.

[@armandovanhaaren9823]

I went there a couple of weeks ago and couldn't get ranch dressing . Because it's illegal here

[@buncharted]

👮‍♂️

[@BrazenNL]

I miss cinema popcorn from the US. They drown it in butter from what looks like a mayo dispenser in a Dutch snackbar. Except for the portions, those are just stupidly large.

[@buncharted]

movie theater popcorn is super good

[@racingweirdo]

How many types of cancer are included? There is a great video: why is US food banned in the eu? Nearly all us food have a relation with cancer, diabetes or other serious diseases.

[@dutchgamer842]

It's not banned in the EU at all, only certain foods and the Netherlands there's more allowed than in most (so not all) of the EU

[@EmperorStorky]

Oh and the only thing I would like to see locally here are the seriously spicy food/snacks. Food that contains Jalapeno/sweet chili is not doing it anymore. Would love to see some true spicy snacks with like Carolina reaper flavor even though it's not as hot like a true Carolina reaper.

[@ThundaStrack]

And they call their ‘crepes’, pancakes! Our pancakes are actually called ‘American Pancakes’.

[@jbird4478]

"It's kinda like the feeling of eating something but nothing, all at the same time." Yeah... eh, sure Michelle 😵‍💫

[@nullpointerworks4036]

12:55 No way.. Is that Weird Al?

[@buncharted]

haha it’s a clip from his movie UHF

[@Paul_C]

I really don't know if Walker, as in chips, is British. As far a I know Walker is a Lays product... PS All products you had were imported: That basically means they need to abide to EU standards, not USA standard.

[@buncharted]

walker's? it's the lay's brand in the UK.

[@Paul_C]

​@@bunchartedsorry, yep

[@dutchgamer842]

​@@Paul_CThe Netherlands allow more import food than most of the EU. There's a grey area, in the Netherlands lots(so not all) isn't forbidden to be sold that is forbidden in most (so not all) of EU.

[@hanhenderikse]

@@buncharted Before the brand in NL went over to Lays, it was called Smith's (or Smits) overhere. On the English brand, I liked the OXO taste a lot. Like Maggi in NL.

[@user-kn6et8bb2d]

Als je zin hebt in koekjes, gebak of chocolade, en je gaat er serieus geld aan uitgeven, ga dan gewoon naar de banketbakker. Dan krijg je in elk geval kwaliteit voor de calorieën.

[@buncharted]

💯

[@kayhoorn]

I had a Twinkie ones, it had a chemical artificial flavour, it made me worried for the American children that eat that trash every other day😂

[@buncharted]

i know right??? there’s a bunch of stuff like this in the US.

[@EmperorStorky]

I once had a jar with Laffy Taffy, and the "Banana" flavor was sooo chemical that my ex gf tried to get rid of them haha.

[@buncharted]

@@EmperorStorky banana laffy taffy is absolutely disgusting

[@charlyvanbuuren2947]

I had rootbeer at Cracker Barrel when visiting the States. I found the taste terrible, sorry...

[@buncharted]

haha what about the rest of cracker barrel? that used to be a staple of any road trip when we were growing up but i think it's gone downhill since then...

[@charlyvanbuuren2947]

@@buncharted The rest of Cracker Barrel? It gave me a feeling i was in the Wild West. But we were in Savannah, so...But we were on a road trip visiting the Southern States!! 🤣

[@ruudvisser712]

Great. Another food-vlog...🤨

[@buncharted]

tuesday's vlog isn't about food, don't worry

[@ruudvisser712]

😆@@buncharted

[@aislingbooks]

I'd never try any of them - disgusting. And I don't miss much from the States except good Tex-Mex and Margaritas, a blood orange Margarita especially.

[@buncharted]

not even the cheetos?! 😅 tex mex is pretty great. we actually buy our salsas from the expat shop most of the time!

[@aislingbooks]

No Cheetos, a definite no. 😝

[@user-xi6nk4xs4s]

This was for 100 Euro???? Looks way too expensive.

[@buncharted]

it ended up being only €50 plus we got some stuff for ourselves. we mention that at the end of the video :)

[@user-xi6nk4xs4s]

@@buncharted I guess my attention was gone at the end ;o).

[@erikaverink8418]

Airheads (Heads with nothing in it other then air) , the first thing i thought of was US republicans, sorry.

[@buncharted]

😂😂😂

[@bartobruintjes7056]

This kind of food is very bad for your health. In this video, you have ingested quite a few chemicals that have been added at the factory.

[@buncharted]

we ate those chemicals for 37 years of our life, i’m sure eating a few more for a vlog will be ok 😉

[@bartobruintjes7056]

@@buncharted That's okay, but be careful.

[@austinsawyer6964]

youtube used to be so much better...

[@buncharted]

can’t believe we’re the only thing for you to watch on youtube nowadays - what a shame

[@austinsawyer6964]

@@buncharted 👍

[@wimschoenmakers5463]

Yeah.... living in a country with good food and then still buying the crappy unhealthy junk from home! Smart !