Korean Job Discussion Forums

Murph · Joined: 31 Dec 2006

What ways do most of you keep costs down with regards to food. I can't seem to find a way to keep my expenses low without sacrificing health. I could eat ramyeon 3 times a day, but I'm sure I'd be dead by fall. what are some creative cost savers?

VanIslander · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject:

#1 skip the imported processed foods

#2 buy as much fresh fruit and vegetables as you can eat (yes, even watermelons, though chances are you'll go thru only one or two of those a month)

#3 eat Korean food in Korean restaurants (not the ramyeon, but the real handmade noodle soups, meat stews, the vast majority of Korean dishes extremely affordable)

#4 skip Western food in Western restaurants

#5 drink lots of water (refilling bottles from home) rather than bought juices, soft drinks, caffeinated hot drinks

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

Eggs!

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

NightSky · Joined: 19 Apr 2005

the general consensus regarding food cutting costs seems to be:

1) eat local as others have suggested

2) buy in bulk, freeze and prepare ahead of time. basically make it yourself.

however there are problems with both. 1) a lot of local dishes involves fish, red pepper paste, a lot of sodium, and white rice which is not good for you. if you eat you will save money no doubt but at cost to your health and sodium levels.

2) most of us have limited food preparation areas, no ovens, etc. and we have to work with overpriced fruits/veggies that may be different to what we grew up with. so it's great that those yellow melons are now in season but if you don't like the taste, what are you supposed to do? buy them and eat them anyway?

if you have the time, resources and energy to prepare meals ahead of time, you should do so, then freeze and thaw as needed throughout the week. this is the best way to save because if you buy when you're hungry you will end up buying a lot of stuff that can only be eaten right there (a hamburger, kimbap, whatever).

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

If you aren't very good at cooking (like me), Korea can be quite trying food wise. If you factor in cooking time and preparation, it works out cheaper to eat at Korean restaurants. You might want to buddy up with a pal, though.

As for fruit/veg, it isn't too expensive if you get it at the traditional market. I can get 2 heads of broccoli for 2000w at the market as opposed to 1 for 1800 at the local mart. Forget about buying fruit and veg from the super, if you want to live cheap.