Recently, the controversy between Luo Yonghao and Xibei regarding pre-packaged meals has stirred quite a debate in China. Some angrily criticize "technology and hard work," while others find "convenience quite good." As I was scrolling through my phone, I suddenly remembered that when I first came to Finland, I also ate pre-packaged meals for a while for the sake of convenience. What shocked me was that in Finland, almost every supermarket has an entire aisle dedicated to pre-packaged meals, with a variety so rich that it can be overwhelming. Interestingly, even now, I still keep a few bags at home, relying on them in emergencies when I don't have time to cook.

My First Scene in the Supermarket

I still remember when I first arrived in Finland, pushing my shopping cart into the supermarket, and seeing a neat row of pizzas in the middle of the frozen food section. I was stunned for a long time—how could frozen and pre-packaged meals occupy such a significant portion of the supermarket, and every supermarket has them!

A view of the freezer filled with pizzas: Finnish 'home cooking'

Here, pizza is a legitimate everyday dinner. After work, you can toss it in the oven for ten minutes, and the whole family can sit down to eat. I don't eat pizza much anymore, but I still remember the first time I made pizza; my child excitedly watched the cheese melt in front of the oven, creating a much livelier atmosphere than when I stir-fry a couple of dishes.

The Daily Meatballs

Another star product on the pre-packaged meal shelves in Finland is the meatball, fish and chips combo, and steak with sides.

Representative of Finnish quick meals: a trio of pork chops, fish fillets, and stewed beef

These meal boxes come with mashed potatoes, peas, and corn already prepared, and all you need to do is heat them up at home. My daughter's favorite is meatballs with mashed potatoes; every time I see her enjoying it, I feel that these seemingly "convenient" items actually serve a very real family function here.

The Surprise of Salmon Stir-Fry

What left a deep impression on me is the "salmon stir-fry" that I often buy.

Since I had run out at home, I specifically went to a nearby supermarket to buy a bag for this article. Inside, it contains diced salmon, potato chunks, and carrots.

Salmon stir-fry: the packaging looks very Nordic

These ingredients do not need to be thawed; when you're ready to eat, just heat oil in the pan and stir-fry for 5-10 minutes, and it's ready to serve.

The moment it goes into the pan: a wonderful scene of half-frozen, half-cooked

Five minutes later: a quick dinner that looks far from hasty

In fact, the taste is not bad, at least it suits my palate. Now, various stir-fry options from the supermarket have become our family's go-to "emergency solution."

Lidl's New Attempt

While I was writing this article, I actually noticed an advertisement for pre-packaged meals! Lidl supermarket seems to be promoting their "celebrity chef collaboration" pre-packaged meals. There was a huge advertisement at the entrance of the supermarket, featuring a smiling chef with the slogan "Valmista vaivatta" (easy to prepare).

Lidl exterior advertisement: the chef's smile tells you "everything is taken care of"

Inside the store, there are various stand-up advertisements, and even a dedicated area.

In-store physical advertisement: the slogan is "Valmista vaivatta"

In addition to this collaboration card, Lidl's shelves are also filled with various other meal boxes, from Italian gnocchi cheese baked rice to meatball rice and hamburger combos. Prices range from €0.75 for a hamburger to around €5 for the Deluxe series, covering all bases.

Deluxe series cheese baked rice: pre-packaged meals can also be sophisticated

For just €0.75, you can buy a hamburger combo at a Finnish supermarket

Balkan-style Cevapcici: a wonderful combination of rice and meat rolls

This makes me feel that pre-packaged meals are not only a convenient choice but are also gradually moving towards "quality" and "diversity."

Why Are Finns Not Against It?

In China, the biggest concern about pre-packaged meals is that restaurants "secretly use" them. When you pay for freshly cooked food but are served reheated semi-finished products, consumers naturally feel deceived.

However, in Finland, pre-packaged meals are a transparent choice in supermarkets. The packaging clearly states the ingredients and prices, and whether to buy is entirely up to you. This openness and honesty naturally reduce a lot of controversy.

Moreover, with the fast-paced lifestyle in Finland and high labor costs, many dual-income families prefer to spend their time with their children, exercising, or enjoying nature rather than spending two to three hours in the kitchen. To them, pre-packaged meals are a tool to "save time," not a synonym for "cutting corners."

More importantly, Finns are already accustomed to frozen foods. With long winters, they have long developed the habit of stocking canned goods, frozen meatballs, and semi-finished mashed potatoes. What might be seen as "too lazy" in China has been a daily routine in Finland for decades. In other words, pre-packaged meals here are not a "new species," but rather a continuation of tradition.

The so-called 'dark canned food,' which Finns actually eat every day

I've heard the legends of sardine cans online, so I haven't tried the fish cans here so far.

Final Thoughts

So, pre-packaged meals here are not a "new species." Looking back, the controversy over pre-packaged meals in China and Finland is fundamentally different. The issues in China are more about trust and cultural identity, while in Finland, it feels more like a lifestyle choice.

VEGE specialty counter: a green landscape in the freezer

For me, pre-packaged meals are not a "last resort," but rather a "little helper" in daily life. I often stock up on a few bags over the weekend, feeling reassured that if one day I really don't have time to cook, my family won't go hungry.

So, while there is still debate about pre-packaged meals in China, my life in Finland tells me—it’s really not that scary; it’s just another way of living.

👉 Do you usually buy pre-packaged meals? What do you think about them? Feel free to share in the comments.