Hostel Cooking for People Who Only Know Maggi

5 Easy Meals That Won’t Wreck Your Budget (Or Your Stomach)

Let’s be honest—when you think “cooking abroad,” your brain screams Maggi.
And look, no judgment. Maggi is elite. But you can’t live off it forever. Your future self (and your digestive system) deserves better.

Whether you’re in a tiny dorm kitchen or sharing a flat with five semi-strangers, these 5 recipes are student-proof, budget-friendly, and require zero culinary background.

Let’s turn that one pan and hot plate into a superpower.

1. Lazy Lentil Curry (a.k.a. Dal 2.0)

Perfect for: Comfort cravings + cold nights

What you need:

• 1/2 cup masoor dal (red lentils)
  

• 1 tsp oil or butter
  

• Turmeric, salt, chili powder
  

• Optional: garlic, chopped onions, jeera
  
  

How to make it:

1. Rinse dal. Add 1.5 cups water, turmeric, and salt.
   

2. Boil in a pot or rice cooker until mushy (~15 mins).
   

3. Optional: sauté garlic/onion in a separate pan, add it to the dal.
   

4. Serve with rice, toast, or roti.
   
   

🧠 Why it works: Protein-packed. Super cheap. Feels like home.

2. Desi Pasta (Fusion That Slaps)

Perfect for: Midnight cravings + potluck flexes

What you need:

• 1 cup pasta
  

• Tomato puree or chopped tomatoes
  

• Garlic, onion (optional)
  

• Masala: chili flakes, oregano, pav bhaji masala (try it 👀)
  

• Cheese (optional but recommended)
  
  

How to make it:

1. Boil pasta with a pinch of salt.
   

2. In another pan, sauté onion + garlic. Add tomatoes + masala.
   

3. Toss pasta into the sauce. Top with cheese. Done.
   
   

🧠 Why it works: Unlimited remix potential. And everyone loves pasta.

3. One-Pan Egg Bhurji Wraps

Perfect for: Breakfast, lunch, or existential crisis meals

What you need:

• 2 eggs
  

• Chopped onion, tomato, green chili
  

• Salt, pepper, turmeric, red chili powder
  

• Tortilla or bread
  
  

How to make it:

1. Whisk eggs. Add spices + chopped veggies.
   

2. Cook in pan until fluffy and slightly crispy.
   

3. Wrap in a tortilla or toast. Add ketchup or mayo.
   
   

🧠 Why it works: Takes 10 mins. Looks fancy. Actually filling.

4. “I Forgot to Cook” Stir-Fry

Perfect for: Days when even instant noodles feel like a chore

What you need:

• Pre-cut frozen veggies (peas, carrots, corn, beans)
  

• Soy sauce, garlic, chili flakes
  

• Leftover rice or noodles
  

• Optional: scrambled egg or tofu
  
  

How to make it:

1. Heat oil. Throw in veggies + garlic.
   

2. Add soy sauce + chili. Stir until cooked.
   

3. Mix in rice or noodles. Boom. You’re a chef.
   
   

🧠 Why it works: It’s the “clean out the fridge” MVP.

5. Microwave Masala Potatoes

Perfect for: Snacking, side dishes, or full-on sad-boy dinners

What you need:

• 2 medium potatoes
  

• Salt, chaat masala, chili powder, lemon juice
  

• Optional: yogurt or mint chutney
  
  

How to make it:

1. Microwave whole potatoes for 5-6 mins (poke holes first!).
   

2. Slice, sprinkle masalas, squeeze lemon.
   

3. Add yogurt or chutney if you're feeling extra.
   

🧠 Why it works: No stove needed. Feels like street food abroad.

Bonus Tips for Kitchen Noobs:

• Buy a rice cooker or electric kettle. Game-changers.
  

• Stock the MVPs: Salt, chili powder, turmeric, instant coffee, Maggi (duh).
  

• Don’t forget cleaning gear. Sponges > stomach bugs.
  

• Fridge hacks: Label your food. People will steal. You’ve been warned.
  
  

Abroad Doesn’t Mean Abandoning Taste

You don’t need to be a MasterChef. You just need to not go broke or hungry.

With these five recipes, you’ll be eating better than most of your flatmates—and probably saving money too. Bonus: your parents will be impressed when you call and say, “I made dal today.”

Need the tools to get started?
Check out our UniEssentials Kitchen Starter Kit — curated for students, not chefs.