Top Ramen

Well, you can get ramen noodles everywhere, and there are Asian grocery stores everywhere too. Try regular grocery stores, like Aldis or Lidle for cheap eats. For hot meals, go for lunch specials in restaurants, or sandwiches from butchers and bakeries, and go to ethnic restaurants.

Jo gave you some good advice. Also, if you LIKE the noodles, you can get a dual voltage coil heater from Magellan and make them in your room. You'll need adapter plugs for each country though.

Sandra,
Jo already mentioned it all in a nutshell:

Ramen noodles are available just about anywhere in the world and DEFINITELY do shop at the local markets and stores. Avoid 7/11 type stores or gas stations, the prices there are often outrageous. Grab goodies/sandwiches and such, at the butchers shop, or the bakeries. Keep your eyes peeled to where the young people congregate, be that pizzerias, Kebap or fish & chip stands.
Don't forget that Europeans eat with the seasons and that seasonal fruits and vegetables are always cheap, especially on the farmers markets.
In general, wine, bread, cheese and seasonal foods are the best bargain in Europe.

Check out the food stands, Cafes and Snack places in and around the markets, you'll get good, cheap food of heavenly quality.
Don't be afraid to eat yourself through the market stands either! Ask for samples and bites to taste!
I was horrified at this technique at first: my oldest son, who is forever a student, a world traveler, and habitually broke, is a world champion at this method . .
but I do have to admit that it is fun, AND educational! :-))

Make lunch your main meal of the day - you'll get wonderful meals for an excellent value, just don't be afraid to eat 'Native', because often the daily lunch 'menus' will revolve about the local, seasonal produce/meat/fish/herbs of the day, and you'll get to know the local cuisine in the bargain.

Keep in mind that local, seasonal products are always the best bargain in Europe, and stay far, far away from touristy eateries: if it caters to 'International' tastes, you'll most likely end up with mediocre food at inflated prices!

When in Rome, do as the Romans do! ;-))
With a little savvy, and the willingness to be open to the unknown, you are in for the culinary treats of your life, despite your restricted budget!

Have a ball, Sandra! :-))

You'll greatly extend your budget if you wean yourself now of soda pop. It's terribly expensive-usually more than wine. Replace it with tap water, not bottled water.

OK, totally random about soda pop...but...thank you?

Not really random about the soft drinks. I see some people that drink 5-6 or more pops a day. That's ok, maybe, here where it might run you .50-.75 each. But in Paris I think they ran €2-3 each. Wouldn't you rather spend that $3-4 for each pop on some real food? I'd rather have a Nutella crepe with water than ramen noodles with a Pepsi.

Sandra,

Karen is right, as funny and random as it sounds! Softdrinks ARE expensive in Europe!
So is coffee, by American standards. You are not going to get any free refills either, but on the other hand, as somebody on this board put it so perfectly not long ago: you'll get a perfectly made cup of coffee instead :-))

In Turkey your coffee might be as thick and powerful as rocket-fuel, but ohhh so good! :-))

Pasta is definitely a great way to go! Cheap, lots of energy, and easy to prepare if your hostel has a stove.
I would take with me:

Bag of Pasta - cheap enough just about anywhere you go.
Small container of olive oil, or butter - somethings to use for flavor
Garlic Salt - and that and a little oil the pasta and mmmmm!

I survived off this for 3mos, and I'm a big guy. Add a little fresh produce from the local markets, and your off! :)

Best advice - If you like noodles/Pasta, pack a container filled with the spices you like to put on them! A little spice goes an long way, and pasta's cheap! Have fun!

In Italy the large train stations have mensas caferterias any one can eat in (info is from 1979-2005) I have eaten in Milan Rome and the best of all Venice All excellent and affordable yoyu will have to ask to find them

Chris,

that's good advice, for sure, about the pasta and spices.

Though, I couldn't tell from your posts if you mean bringing it from the USA ?!? If that's what you mean, I'll have to protest severely, and you will have to stand in the corner with the people who want to bring screens, quinine and protein powder!!!! ;-))

Buy the pasta and the spices in Europe, don't even THINK about bringing them with you from the US!! ;-))

The dual voltage coil heater that Larry mentioned is a great thing to have. We used it 20 something years ago while travelling and have used it to: Make tea and instant coffee,cook pasta,boil eggs, warm canned soup. I think you get the idea. They are small and really easy to pack (even in a day bag)

Doner kabob is your friend, trust me. They are available everywhere, are cheap, generally tasty and will fill you up for a long time.

In Rome, go to the Testaccio neighborhood and eat at a hole in the wall pizza place, where they sell pizza by the ounce. So good, so cheap and no tourists!

Mmmmmm doner. When my son was a student in Berlin, this (doner kebab) was a great cheap meal. We saw it everywhere. The best pizza I have ever had was in an outdoor market close to the vatican. Wild mushrooms, thin crust...very inexpensive, so good.

When I was 21, I hadn't really developed my taste for fine foods anyways so I always ate the cheapest stuff available. Street vendors were my favorite and most convenient but when money was low (or I spent too much on beer) I went to the grocery store for bread and lunch meats. I collected mustard packets along the way so I always had an extra or two. The occasional sit-down meal splurge was at lunch because dinners are obviously a lot more expensive. On my most recent trip, I noticed a lot more cafeteria style places than ever before which were a great bargain