What to Eat on a Budget: 8 Coin-Friendly Food Tips for Students
Opening your wallet, only a few coins remain. Opening a delivery app, every bento starts at $150. You stare at the screen, stomach growling, but you can't bring yourself to hit 'order'—this is the daily 'student budget tragedy'.
"In Taiwan, $50 can get you a bowl of plain noodles, $100 a bento, and $150... might just cover the delivery fee."
Convenience Stores: A Student's Best Friend
7-ELEVEN, FamilyMart, Hi-Life—these 24/7 convenience stores are the first line of defense for budget-conscious students. They offer discounts on soon-to-expire items, exclusive membership deals, and APP point collection.
| Store | Money-Saving Trick | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 7-ELEVEN | 30% off near-expiry items, OPEN POINT redemption | Save $20-50/day |
| FamilyMart | 30% off 'Friendly Food' time, FamiPay rebate | Save $15-40/day |
| Hi-Life | Hi-Life VIP APP coupons | Save $10-30/day |
| OK Mart | Combo meal deals | Save $10-25/day |
Night Market Budget Food Map
Taiwan's night markets are a treasure trove for saving money—you can eat your fill for $50. Here are some high CP value stalls:
- Taipei Shilin Night Market: $35 'Hoda' giant chicken chop (enough for two girls to share)
- Taichung Fengjia Night Market: $25 sweet potato balls, $40 Minglun egg pancake
- Kaohsiung Rueifong Night Market: $50 Wangguo steak (free drinks & soup refill)
- Tainan Huayuan Night Market: $30 coffin bread, $35 shrimp rice
Pro tip: Late in the night market (30 minutes before closing), many stalls offer extra portions without extra charge.
Student Cafeterias & Campus Benefits
Don't underestimate school cafeterias! Many universities receive government subsidies, making prices 30-50% cheaper than outside.
- NTU: $50 buffet (three dishes + one main)
- NCCU: $45 big chicken leg bento
- NCKU: $40 beef noodles (Wednesday only)
- THU: $35 milk hot pot (using Donghai University farm fresh milk)
Additionally, many schools have food banks or surplus food fridges offering free food to students in need.
Let the App Save You Money & Decide
If you don't know what to eat even after opening a delivery app, try WantEats' Mood Recommender function—select 'budget' mode, and AI will recommend under $100 nearby options. Or try Lucky Direction—close your eyes and tap, letting fate decide your cheap meal!
Saving money doesn't mean compromising happiness. With smart choices, every coin can buy a satisfying and joyful meal. Next time your wallet is thin, remember to open WantEats—spend the least for the greatest happiness.