How to make the most out of those meal plan dollars
Listen up first-years. That meal plan might seem like a lot, but it’s going to go faster than you think. There’s one restaurant where that money goes farther than anywhere else on campus: Mongolian BBQ. The location I frequent in Creelman Hall charges by the bowl. The only limit is how much you can fit in that bowl. With a few simple tricks, you too can fit about three meals’ worth in just one bowl. So grab a take-out container and follow these six steps to make everyone envious of your massive Mongolian bowls.
- This first one is where everyone screws up. Vegetables go on the bottom, noodles go on top. Trust me. Start with smaller vegetables, making sure to maximize the volume available.
- When you think your bowl is filled to the top, push down, and try again. The veggies are getting cooked anyway, and you can fit more in by crushing your leafy greens.
- Your bowl should now be full to the brim. Here you can add your garlic and ginger, and maybe another layer of shredded carrots or green onions. Try to keep the surface flat.
- Add sauce. Lots of it. You don’t pay for using more, so don’t hold back; you’ll be happy you didn’t. Warning: you can overdo it, and end up with a soup instead of a dish.
- Noodle time. Don’t just haphazardly plop them on; take the tongs and pull the noodles out straight, then try your best to fold them over the top of your bowl. This way, instead of a messy mound, you can pile on layers, taking your Mongolian bowl to mountainous heights.
- Add more sauce. No seriously. If it’s only on the bottom, it doesn’t get distributed evenly. Again, more is generally better, just be careful not to completely douse your noodles.
Your bowl is now ready for the grill. If you like, you can put one last layer of noodles on top, so you can rest a couple fingers there for balance as you carry it over. All eyes will be on you, the griller’s jaw will drop; you have mastered the Mongolian mountain. Remember, when they ask, “Want rice?” you might as well say, “Yes.” It’s not like you’ll be finishing this in one sitting anyway.
Photos by Alora Griffiths/The Ontarion