Your first weeks in Canada are busy. You are finding your way around campus, sorting out a phone and bank account, and maybe sharing a kitchen with strangers. Having some food from home makes those weeks easier.
What travels well
- Ready meals that need only hot water, such as freeze-dried dal chawal or khichdi. Light and quick on busy days.
- Whole and ground spices in sealed shop packs: turmeric, cumin, garam masala, chilli powder.
- Instant mixes such as upma, poha or idli mix in sealed packs.
- Snacks such as namkeen, chikki and biscuits in sealed packs.
- Pickles in sealed bottles, packed carefully in your checked bag.
What to leave at home
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds and plants.
- Meat and most dairy products.
- Homemade food in unlabelled containers. It is harder for customs to check.
Declare it at the border
When you land in Canada, you must declare all food you are carrying. Declaring does not mean it will be taken away. It lets the border officer check it. Food that is not declared can lead to a fine. Check the Canada Border Services Agency website before you travel, because rules can change.
Cabin bag or checked bag?
Dry food can go in either. Food with gravy, pickles and anything wet should go in your checked bag, because security may treat it like a liquid.
What you can buy once you land
Bigger Canadian cities such as Toronto, Brampton, Vancouver and Montreal have plenty of South Asian grocery stores, so you can buy rice, dal and spices there. Smaller towns may have fewer options, so carry more if your college is outside a big city.
The first two weeks
Pack enough easy meals for your first ten to fourteen days. That covers jet lag, orientation week and the days before you find your way to an Indian store. A kettle in your room is enough for freeze-dried meals.
Questions people ask
Can I take Indian food to Canada as a student?
Yes, many packaged foods are allowed. Declare all the food you carry when you arrive, and check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s rules for the items you plan to pack.
Should food go in my cabin bag or checked bag?
Dry, sealed packs can go in either. Pickles, ghee and anything with gravy are safer in your checked bag.
How much food should I bring?
Enough for your first one or two weeks, while you find a grocery store and settle in.
Do I need a kitchen for freeze-dried meals?
No. A kettle in your room is enough. Add hot water, stir, cover and wait.
Spice Up Foods makes freeze-dried Indian meals such as dal chawal, khichdi and pav bhaji, all 100% vegetarian and ready with hot water. See Spice Up Foods meals.