ALERT! :
PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS ARTICLE AT MIDNIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE FEELING HUNGRY. DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU.
Remember when we were in primary school? Our parents used to remind us that having breakfast before school is very important because it provides us with enough energy to start the day. Well, as a university student now, do you still wake up early in the morning to have breakfast before your first class of the day? Do the hall meal breakfasts bore you and result in you skipping breakfast frequently since university day? Perhaps, you have been looking for ways to “spice up” your meal but do not know where to start. Well, there’s some good news for you, because here is a step-by-step guide to enhance and upgrade your RH Comm Hall Breakfast!
You only need simple ingredients that are easily accessible from supermarkets around you, like NTUC FairPrice or Sheng Siong supermarket, and a dash of innovation. With that, you can simply turn each meal into a delightful culinary breakfast experience, which you may even get to post on Instagram and show off your “masterpiece”. And don’t worry about the difficulties in upgrading your meal, it’s as simple as ABC and 100% friendly to lazy mini chefs (just like me!). Well, let’s get started and dive into the process of flavour transformations to make your hostel breakfast truly remarkable.
Spice Up Your Noodles
Ingredient List:
RH Breakfast Noodle - 1 Hall Meal Credit
Fried garlic & onion - S$ 1.50 to S$3.00 for 100g each
Lao Gan Ma - S$ 4.00 for 100g (spice alert !)
Price per serving: 1 Raffles Hall Meal Credit + approx. S$ 1.00
Image generated by Gemini Imagen 3
Attention noodle enthusiasts! Picture this: brown and crispy fried garlic or onion atop a steaming plate of noodles—nothing can go wrong with such a combo. Consider topping your noodles with fried garlic or onions for a burst of flavour and a satisfying crunch. Here are some interesting health facts regarding garlic and onion, both from the allium family, are rich in antioxidants that inhibit harmful oxidation reactions in our body, potentially lowering the risk of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and even dementia. Nevertheless, you are encouraged to control the amount you consume per meal; after all, fried garlic and onion are foods rich in fats, which are not great for human health.
If you're a spice fan, you may consider kicking things up by adding Lao Gan Ma or Crispy Prawn Chili to your noodles. It has been proven that capsaicin, the compound that contributes to the spiciness found in chili, is able to burn more energy and boost your metabolic rate in the morning. But just a word of caution: if spicy food isn't your cup of tea, proceed with caution unless you want your day to be spent in the restroom.
Fun fact: Did you know fried onions are also known as "brista"? Maybe consistent consumption will make you a “barista” one day! (Okay, maybe not, but it's fun to imagine.)
Speaking of baristas, no breakfast is complete without a cup of coffee! Stick around, and I'll show you how to make your morning coffee not just aromatic but extraordinary!
Mockha (Mock Mocha)
Ingredient List:
A Cup of Coffee - free-flow coffee from RH Comm Hall
Milo Powder - S$ 5.00 for 400g
Fresh Milk - S$3.00 ~ S$4.00 for 1000ml
Price per serving: approx. S$ 1.30
Image generated by Gemini Imagen 3
Are you craving a cup of mocha in the morning but find the price at places like Starbucks or Coffee Bean a bit expensive? Don’t worry, you can easily make your own Mockha (Mock-Mocha) using common ingredients at Raffles Hall.
First, start by getting a cup of steaming free-flow coffee from the dining hall. Then, add 2 tablespoons of Milo powder, which is widely available and provides a chocolate flavour similar to mocha. If you're looking for a slightly different flavour, you can substitute with cocoa powder, though it may be more expensive. For a creamier texture, consider adding some fresh milk to your cup of Mockha. If you're lactose intolerant or prefer plant-based alternatives, you could experiment with options like almond or soy milk, which are also available in local stores, though they might affect the overall flavour profile.
Making a Mockha isn't just about saving money—it’s also a healthier option. This is because you can control the amount of sugar and milk you add, making it easier to tailor the drink to your dietary preferences — whether you're cutting back on sugar or looking for a lower-calorie alternative. Plus, you can also experiment with different ratios of coffee, Milo, and milk to discover the ‘golden ratio’ that suits your taste.
Having a cup of Mockha mixed to the “golden ratio” is sure to be complemented by some bread, creating what I like to call the "golden breakfast combination." Here, I’d like to introduce The Upgraded Enriched Bread, a delightful bread option that enhances your morning meal with added nutrients and flavour.
The Upgraded Enriched Bread
Ingredient List:
Enriched bread (Sandwich with Ham and Cheese) with Hard-boiled Egg - 1 Hall Meal Credit
Condiment of your own choice - S$4.00 to S$6.00 for 1 bottle
Vegeponic Mesclun Salad - S$3.50 for 150g
Avocado - S$3.00 to S$5.00 for 2 pieces
Price per serving: 1 Raffles Hall Meal Credit + approx. S$ 2.50
If you are the one who has been eating the sandwich and hard-boiled egg separately, you’re a boring person. It’s to consider upgrading your breakfast with some condiment of your own choice to enhance the flavour!
Grab a cup and crack your hard-boiled egg into it (I personally find it more convenient to smash the egg in a cup). Smash the hard-boiled egg into smaller pieces and you may then add condiments to your liking. Consider options like Thousand Island sauce, mayonnaise, sesame sauce, honey mustard and many more. Continue smashing and mixing until it reaches the perfect blend of flavours and textures. Lastly, spread this luscious mixture of sauce and eggs onto your bread and kaboom, EUREKA moment! You’re now ready to savour the sandwich. This revamped breakfast option adds a delightful twist to your morning routine, ensuring a burst of sweet and savoury flavours that will keep you fueled and excited for the day ahead.
Image generated by Gemini Imagen 3
Some of you might find the bread is not nutri-balanced as it consists of only carbohydrates and protein. Well, here’s the gap where you can express your creativity with food! You may consider adding a few pieces of salad green to your bread or replacing the condiments with avocado. And guess what: avocado is a superfood rich in nutrients such as fibres, fats and vitamins.
Image generated by Gemini Imagen 3
P.S. I personally find this smashing process quite fun, and it’s a good way to start your day! In fact, studies suggest that engaging in meal preparation can have psychological benefits, including reducing stress and promoting mindfulness. The tactile activity of smashing eggs or preparing food can act as a mini “break” from stressors, contributing to a positive mental outlook for the day ahead.
That's all!
Many find hall breakfast boring, but all you need is just a little bit of creativity! Whether you're spicing up your noodles, mixing up a Mockha, or giving your enriched bread a flavour-packed makeover, there are endless ways to make your meals exciting. So, go ahead and experiment; play around with your favourite ingredients, and turn those standard dishes into something that actually makes you look forward to eating. Who knew upgrading hostel food could be this much fun? Try it out. Your taste buds will thank you!
Anyway, I’m going to NTUC to get the ingredients for my breakfast tomorrow. Let me know what other combinations you have tried!
Written by: Min Shen
Edited by: Bella, Clarissa, Joelle, Warren
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