Korean Job Discussion Forums

[berniebennybernard]

Just curious here, but who here cooks on a budget? On days that I don't have plans to go out, I'll almost always cook at home just to save a good chunk of cash.

Anyone want to share some cheap and good foods for cooking on a budget?

I generally just eat a couple of proteins mixed with a bowl of rice or spaghetti.

I've been buying 500g of chicken breast for $5 at the grocery store.. I usually just marinade it in galbi sauce. Expensive per 100g I would say, but it turns out GM has it online for about $30 for 5kg of the frozen stuff. Thinking about buying some seasoning salt to go with it as the galbi sauce is getting a bit boring.

Biggest bang for your buck would definitely have to be eggs though. They're so cheap here in Korea, and $5 can get you 30. I usually eat around 4-5 eggs per meals if I feel like it. I don't buy into the cholesterol scare, so I'll eat all the yolks with them (most of the nutrients are in the yolk anyways). Tastes great scrambled with butter (is it just me or is Korean butter sweet).

Alternatively, I'll buy either tuna, sausages, or frozen meat like the square galbi. Reasonably priced, and variety is needed for me. I can't eat just eggs and chicken every day.. I applause those with the will-power to do so.

Other than that, I'll generally buy one of those larger salad packs and eat them over a couple of days along with an apple or banana. Peanuts and almonds are a healthy alternative snack for someone that doesn't eat junk food.

[toby99]

Pretty similar to my meals.

I like to split a brick of ramen in half, cook it, then eat it with a half slice of processed cheese and an egg. About as cheap as it gets.

[joelove]

You might find an idea or two from this site

http://www.budgetbytes.com/

[northway]

[War Eagle]

While I don't try to budget per se, the things I eat don't really cost a lot. I love cooking and generally only eat very savory foods. I throw a delicious meal together for probably 1,000 - 3,000 won per person, depending on what we're having. In my stockpile of food, here are some of the thing's you'll find:

(Prices are approximations. I don't pay that close attention when shopping.)

Breakfast
bacon (2kg W20,000 Costco) Freezable
eggs (30 W4,000 local market)
cheddar cheese (2kg W10,000 Costco)
croissants (12 W4,000 Costco) Freezable
pancake mix (1kg W3,000 local market)
cran/almond cereal (500g W5,000)

Lunch
sandwich rolls (12 W4,000 Costco) Freezable
ham (2kg W25,000 Costco) Can freeze but I don't
lettuce/carrot/cabbage (varies depending on type I buy at locak market W3,000-5,000 for all)
-throw some cheese, eggs, ham or whatever on veggies for salad


Dinner - You can make TONS of things with the ingredients below
Frozen chicken (1kg W9,000 Local market) You can find better prices on GMarket but I don't like to buy 5kg at a time
Ground beef (600g W7,000 local butcher) Freezable
Pork chops (1kg W8,000 Costco) Freezable
Shredded mozzarella (2kg W20,000 Costco) Freezable
Spaghetti sauce (4kg W12,000 Costco)
Salsa (2kg W10,000)
Canned tomatoes (10 W10,000 Costco)
Canned red beans (10 W10,000 Costco)
Canned green beans (10 W10,000 Costco)
Canned corn (W1,000 local market)
Potatoes (1kg W2,000 local market)
Pasta (500g W2,000 anywhere)
Sour Cream (1kg W8,000 Costco)
Tortillas (2.5kg W10,000 Costco) Freezable
Rice (4kg no idea how much. The MIL always gives it to us)

Dessert
Cream cheese (1.5kg W15,000 Costco) (mix with sour cream for cheesecake or with fruit for parfaits)
Fruit (whatever is on sale at local market W2,000 - 5,000)


These are my go to foods. I should probably try and eat more veggies, but ehh, multi-vitamins are a close second

Seriously though, with these foods I could easily think of over 100 dishes to make. Of course, I also have the basics: flour, milk, spices, condiments, oils, etc, that one would need to cook said food properly.

Damn, now I'm hungry.

[NohopeSeriously]

My approach for home dining.

1. Eat rice. It's the other staff of life.
2. Buy discounted fish. Most fish are freezer-friendly.
3. No alcohol.
4. No coffee.

[Died By Bear]

Invest in a pressure cooker.


awesome spaghetti sauce:

1 lb ground beef
1 can of tomato chunks
onion
green peppers
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
a bit of garlic (as much as you like)
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups of water

saut� onions, peppers and ground beef in pressure cooker without lid first.

add everything else and pressure cook for 6-8 minutes

(That means after the regulator starts hissing and moving back and forth)

Pro-tip lower heat to med-low after regulator starts to hiss.




That's one of dozens of meals you can make in under 30 minutes.

You can make enough stew to last you four days at a time.

[le-paul]

very cheap pasta

penne

fry up;
lots of olive oil
garic
tabasco sauce
salt
black pepper
a hand full of spinach (which you can pick up in the markets cheap cos no one buys it so it always gets reduced in price).

mix in pasta and cover with parmesan.

banana smoothies are cheap. 2/3 bananas and some milk and a bit of. brown sugar if u wish

curry is cheap to make if you make a big portion and freeze it. i usually make enough for 8 meals and it costs about 10,000. eat with home made bread made from paejeon mix and herbs with an h.

[No_hite_pls]

[le-paul]

[2i2dk1ny2i3]