red_devil2k2
May 4th, 2005, 08:21 PM
Seeing how I am graduating at the end of the month, I thought I would share some wisdom with those on the up-and-up, and maybe reminicise with some of you twenty and thirty-somethings on your college/U years.
How to eat cheaply and well (at college):
1) Invest in a rice cooker. Write your name on the outside with a black permanent marker (if this is stolen, nothing else food-wise is possible). Rice can be bought at any Asian supermarket. Chinatowns will have cheaper rice. Don't let the questionable packaging fool you, just watch and see what the older mothers and grandmothers are buying. I prefer Japanese rice, myself (I know, I know...but hey, quality is quality)
For those of you who go to school in the boondocks (like me), decent rice is starting to become available even in communities with 99% white population (goodbye, clinton NY!) Don't bother with that Uncle Ben's stuff - go with Jasmine or Spanish rice, which they usually will have.
Peas and Beans (already soaked, I use from a can) cooked with the rice will provide a nice change of pace.
If anyone tries to mooch off your rice, they must clean the pot afterwards.
2) Be like your grandmother. Take tupperware containers to the dining hall. Don't go crazy and carry out a box of crap each time you go, but a container of vegetables or something like stuffing or chicken pot pie or mac and cheese (stuff they have on a frequent, frequent basis here) will taste good late at night, and is better for you than take-out.
3) Keep a lookout for events with free food. Every college and university sponsors a million talks each semester, and most of these are catered. Stay for the whole talk if you like, duck in the back for the last 10 minutes, or hijack the catering van outside - just get your free eats!
4) Trust in spam and tuna. Spam comes in three varieties. Regular, Low-sodium, and Turkey are the ones I use. I recommend boiling the spam before using it (while it is indeed the most glorious of all meats, there are some questionable things in the meat that you dont have to worry about (if you boil first). Tuna fish can be eaten out of the can, added to salads, sandwiches, whatever. Very useful.
5) Ramen/Ramyun noodles. Ah, glorious and delicious ramen. You've been so good to me. There are about 8 zillion brands and varieties out there, so it's up to you to choose the one you like. You can be assured that the quantity to price ratio can't be beat by any other food.
I like Chacharoni (Jjapaghetti to Koreans), Shin Ramyun (cup or block form, doesn't matter), and the slightly more expensive udon variety that comes with soft noodles (tastes a bit better, however).
The best part is, you can eat it straight out of the pot! (once one is procured, of course) Go to your local chinese/korean/japanese restaurant and ask for some disposable chopsticks, and you're set for 4 years.
6) Tabasco sauce. Absolutely essential.
OK, I have a paper to write. I think it would be nice to hear about cheap restaurants/food stands in various cities too! Also, feel free to add to my list. Thanks all!
How to eat cheaply and well (at college):
1) Invest in a rice cooker. Write your name on the outside with a black permanent marker (if this is stolen, nothing else food-wise is possible). Rice can be bought at any Asian supermarket. Chinatowns will have cheaper rice. Don't let the questionable packaging fool you, just watch and see what the older mothers and grandmothers are buying. I prefer Japanese rice, myself (I know, I know...but hey, quality is quality)
For those of you who go to school in the boondocks (like me), decent rice is starting to become available even in communities with 99% white population (goodbye, clinton NY!) Don't bother with that Uncle Ben's stuff - go with Jasmine or Spanish rice, which they usually will have.
Peas and Beans (already soaked, I use from a can) cooked with the rice will provide a nice change of pace.
If anyone tries to mooch off your rice, they must clean the pot afterwards.
2) Be like your grandmother. Take tupperware containers to the dining hall. Don't go crazy and carry out a box of crap each time you go, but a container of vegetables or something like stuffing or chicken pot pie or mac and cheese (stuff they have on a frequent, frequent basis here) will taste good late at night, and is better for you than take-out.
3) Keep a lookout for events with free food. Every college and university sponsors a million talks each semester, and most of these are catered. Stay for the whole talk if you like, duck in the back for the last 10 minutes, or hijack the catering van outside - just get your free eats!
4) Trust in spam and tuna. Spam comes in three varieties. Regular, Low-sodium, and Turkey are the ones I use. I recommend boiling the spam before using it (while it is indeed the most glorious of all meats, there are some questionable things in the meat that you dont have to worry about (if you boil first). Tuna fish can be eaten out of the can, added to salads, sandwiches, whatever. Very useful.
5) Ramen/Ramyun noodles. Ah, glorious and delicious ramen. You've been so good to me. There are about 8 zillion brands and varieties out there, so it's up to you to choose the one you like. You can be assured that the quantity to price ratio can't be beat by any other food.
I like Chacharoni (Jjapaghetti to Koreans), Shin Ramyun (cup or block form, doesn't matter), and the slightly more expensive udon variety that comes with soft noodles (tastes a bit better, however).
The best part is, you can eat it straight out of the pot! (once one is procured, of course) Go to your local chinese/korean/japanese restaurant and ask for some disposable chopsticks, and you're set for 4 years.
6) Tabasco sauce. Absolutely essential.
OK, I have a paper to write. I think it would be nice to hear about cheap restaurants/food stands in various cities too! Also, feel free to add to my list. Thanks all!