I will be in NL for three weeks and will be looking at some tips or suggestions to save money on food. I can't afford to eat at restaurants three times a day. Grocery stores are an obvious option; however, my canal house doesn't have an in-room refrigerator.
Can I still eat somewhat well while saving money for other things?
I'm open to any suggestions on how to make this possible.
Dank je wel.
Nothing specific, but in Europe in general there are a number of hot take out options with prepared foods, including large sections in grocery or department stores. What we consider ethnic take out (chinese, italian, indian) they have as well, including indonesian. Plus another option is Dutch fast food, sandwiches and pancakes (savory and sweet)
Daniel,
what you can try to do is to look for a cheap cooler and put some ice in it to keep whatever you want cool.
the only issue is heating it up to eat. So you may want to choose carefully what you decide to eat that night and save for the AM.
There are things you can buy that don't require refrigeration. Like PB&J.
Some sandwiches hold well overnight. 12" long subways and split into 2.
cooked chicken can be an option.
FEBOs
pizza. If you're not a fan of cold pizza, then next.
ive cooked Top Raman in a hot water pot.
donar kabobs are usually inexpensive.
happy trails.
Thanks.
My hotel has a breakfast, but I'll be leaving early in the morning catching trains.
That's going to be very difficult in the morning.
Any suggestions for a quick,healthy breakfast, too?
ive cooked Top Raman in a hot water pot.
so you're the *** who made it so I couldn't have a decent cup of tea when I checked in!!!
The kettles are for boiling water in and nothing else.
Three places in the past year that I've had to complain about the state of the kettle.
In Rome it was so bad the owner had to buy a new one. Somebody had made cream of mushroom soup - or something similar - in it.
With all the options that the supermarkets offer, I'm sure you'll find a variety of things that can go a day without refrigeration. (In the cool months, I put my food outside the window to stay cold.) For instance, most juice is shelf-stable until opened and I know I've drunk it a day or more after opening, too. I would buy a pint of fresh milk the night before if I wanted to have it in hand in the morning. Europeans often don't put cheese in the fridge, even when they can.
@ nigel,
Sorry to disappoint you, but i did the cooking of the top raman @ University Of Oregon dorm room in my coffee pot, not in Amsterdam.
i would hope that that OP would buy his own hot water pot to do the cooking.
I'm sure others have done so but that isn't my style to do something like that unless its in my equipment.
happy trails.
Do check the prices on the transportation. It really is cheaper if you avoid rush hour. Also, one thing I noticed in Europe is that people generally get started later in the day than Americans. The only reason my British colleagues will meet for breakfast in NYC at 7:30 is because they are jet lagged and up any way. :) When I've gone on walking holidays in Scotland we don't leave the hotel until 9 AM. It's actually amazingly restful and we had time to tour and or walk.
If where you are staying normally serves breakfast, ask if you can have a light breakfast early. I've often found that they will give you a "pack breakfast" so to speak.
I agree too that you should look for street food. The markets often have great food stalls. Try the herring!
Pam
HEMAs do cheap prepared foods including a 1 euro breakfast that looks pretty good.
