To cook or to eat out?

One of my struggles as a student here at UCSI University, is trying to decide on what to feed my own tummy. It’s undeniably the worst dilemma one could ever go through. It’s a life and death situation since no one is here to feed me.

I know I am not the only one caught up in this dilemma on “What should I eat today?”

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As a responsible young adult, cooking my own meals would definitely qualify as the right thing to do. I mean, it is cheaper, right? But, the reality of being a university student makes this whole situation more complicated.

As much as I would want to stay wining at this adulating series, here are a few factors to take into consideration.

A. COSTS- Cooking home 1: Eating out 0

I believe this is only applicable to simple meals like noodles or spaghetti bolognese. Anything other than this or western imported ingredients would be out of the range.

Allow me to break it down for you.

Ordering spaghetti bolognese at a local restaurant will probably cost you about RM15. On the other hand, if you decided to prepare it by yourself, here are the grocery bills:

Spaghetti – RM5

Bolognese sauce- RM10

Meat- RM9

Total= RM24

NB: This is a simplified pasta recipe and also my go-to recipe as a student, I mean all that matters is I fill my tummy.

The grocery bill may seem a bit high as to eating out, but when you buy pasta it’s usually portioned into 4-5 servings. The only concern is for the meat as one pack can give at least 2 servings. So it’s either you stock up the meat (I love my meat) or go vegetarian.

There are other easy and cost effective meals one can prepare on a student budget, but for me pasta and noodles are easier to portion and store.

Preparing meals like steaks in Malaysia may cost you as much as the amount you would spend at a restaurant because food is generally cheap here.

B. SPACE

One of my struggles is the lack of kitchen space, be it in an apartment with well-organised housemates. Each of us have a cupboard or compartment in the refrigerator meant for us. This might not always be the case. You may have to fight for space or work around the basis of first come, first serve.

We mostly find ourselves grocery shopping weekly, because if we buy in bulk, where would we store all the food?

Besides, our kitchen isn’t fully equipped. There are several appliances that are missing i.e. microwave (I heat my food on the stove, I don’t really mind) and my student budget won’t cover these appliances.

C. TIME

At times we just don’t have the time to cook. Well, I’d say we don’t make time for it.

I find it more convenient to eat out at times though not everyone enjoys it, but at least that’s an existing option. Food in Malaysia is generally cheap as well, there are hawker stalls, delivery services…

And there are your friends.

In Shona we say, “Hukama igasva hwunozadziswa nekudya,” meaning eating with friends is the best way to form a social relationship, am I right? This is one of the most perfect bonding sessions. It’s either you’re eating or hunched over endless assignments and exams.

So if you’re an international student and end up eating in on your own, you may lose a huge platform to making friends, especially in Malaysia.

So now: Cooking or eating out?