Food while studying abroad in Paris is legendary—most everyone has heard that message, whether it be from Disney's Ratatouille or the foodblogging corners of Instagram, and it's not wrong. For an American, this food scene can be overwhelming, though, too; menus in French, restaurant servers speaking French, packaging in French, prices in Euros…
Below I've outlined the steps that helped me navigate my meals for the first few weeks here in Paris.
Plan. I made a shopping list before each of my visits to the grocery store, which made it much more likely that I left with what I needed when there were so many new and fascinating things pulling my attention already. Especially at the boulangeries and the cafés I've visited, being familiar with the faces of Euro currency helped me to grab just what I needed from my pockets and pay for my treats—so study up on the coins when you empty your pockets at the day's end!
Indulge. I am all about sampling every new bit of French cuisine I can—but I don't hesitate to indulge a little bit too and find some comfort in those flavors of home. As the selection of Oreos pictured above might indicate, you may just find some of your favorite American treats here in France. Additionally, fresh foods in France are phenomenal, and most all grocery stores in the city will have these machines where you can squeeze your own orange juice—INCREDIBLE orange juice—instantaneously with the single push of a lever.
Nourish. I'm no professional in the kitchen, so I need easy—and thankfully for me and for any of you who might be similarly lacking in culinary skill, Paris is accommodating. Grab a few eggs at the store, toss 'em in a skillet with some salt and pepper, accent with some delectable French cheeses and maybe even some orange slices, and you will be close to fine dining at home for a very reasonable cost.
Thrive. Much along the lines of indulgence, you ought to THRIVE with cuisine here in Paris. Through the duration of the semester, my goal is to have at least one more « extravagant » meal each week—the lovely stir-fry crafted by a pair of my CEA peers being a prime example—for though the eggs and pasta are good, we all ought to have a bit more variety in our diet. Finding these edible gems outside the house is a great opportunity to adventure through the city too; Oni Coffee in the 10th arr. makes a divine cheesecake that serves as great motivation for any homework session.
Jared K. is the Spring 2018 CEA MOJO Photographer in Paris, France. He is currently a junior studying Management & Innovation and Global Studies at Champlain College.