Ever wondered what the meal plan situation is like if you are staying on campus at NUS? Don’t worry, because today we are breaking down the delicious differences in dining between Halls of Residence and Residential Colleges (RCs) – the only two hostel models to offer meal plans on campus – to see which hostel has the best food and best price for students!
How do meal plans work?
In NUS, meal plans are compulsory for residents staying in Halls, Residential Colleges or NUS College. Meal credits are provided and counted within semesters, instead of expiring day by day. For example, if you skip one meal, you can redeem it by scanning up to three credits at once for another meal! Therefore, as long as you use up all the credits given by the end of the semester, it will definitely be worth the money.
Meal plan rate in Halls (AY24/25) – Source: OSA
Meal plan in Halls
Meal plans in Halls are cheaper than Residential Colleges, costing around S$620 – S$670 for a semester for both breakfast and dinner (Monday to Friday, Saturday breakfasts and Sunday dinners; including public holidays). Therefore, a meal in Hall only costs around S$3, which is a total steal compared to buying food outside!
Regarding meal options in Halls, there is a variety of food options you can choose from to cater to diverse preferences, including vegetarian food and halal food. For breakfast, there will usually be assorted sandwiches, soup or stir-fried noodles with side dishes such as boiled egg or spring rolls, steamed buns or cereal and milk.
Non-halal station
Halal station
Steamed bun station
In addition, there is also a free-flow bread station (with jam and butter) and a drink station (coffee, tea, soy milk/hot chocolate) provided as enhancement for your meal!
Bread station
Drink station
For dinner, there will be two types of meals during a week, including normal ‘cai fan’ (economical rice) or a special menu with Asian or Western cuisines (such as udon or mac and cheese) served every once or twice a week. Moreover, there will be a separate station for vegetarian and halal food so that students can choose whichever meal they prefer. The dinner meal plan also comes with free flow drinks (fruit cordial) and dessert (either fruits or tong sui)
Vegetarian and halal station
Non-halal main and side dishes
Non-halal vegetables options
A typical meal at Eusoff Hall – one credit for dinner includes rice, two protein dishes (pork and fish), vegetables (bean sprouts) and a side dish (egg), together with dessert/ fruit and drink
Meal plan in Residential Colleges
Meal plan rate in Residential Colleges (RCs) AY24/25 – Source: OSA
Meal plans in RCs are relatively more expensive than Halls, but it offers students a greater variety of food options. It costs around S$1,100 per semester for dining credits, which is almost double the price in Halls.
However, meals in RCs are served in an open buffet style, where students can choose from various food stations such as halal, noodles, western, asian (Chinese, Indian, Malay cuisine) and vegetarian stations. Moreover, there are also counters for free flow drinks, salad, soup and fruits to enhance the dining experience. “Drinks are free flow, desserts are only served in certain weeks, nearer to the exam weeks” shared Wei Lai (Y3, Global Studies, CHS)
Asian station with wanton noodle soup
Halal station with different types of pastries
Western station with baked potato, chicken nuggets and french beans
Photos of some of the stations in RVRC (taken by Wei Lai)
Breakfast with raisin pastries, yoghurt drink and tea
Dinner with lasagna, peas, milo and cake for dessert
Photos of a typical meal in RCs (taken by Wei Lai)
Comparison: Should I choose Halls or RCs?
The answer is, it depends.
If you want a more affordable, financial-friendly option, meal plans in Halls are definitely your go-to option. In terms of the taste, it really depends on your personal preference and standard. However, given the fact that the menu is nutritious and balanced, and there is a certain variety of options to choose from, Hall meals are very much worth the price.
On the other hand, if you prefer a better dining experience or just simply do not fancy having cai fan (economical rice) for most days, meals in RCs will surely suit your palate better. Although the overall fees are higher, the quality is also aligned with the price and there are various options that can satisfy your preference. Plus, it is still more economical and convenient than eating out – it’s hard to beat that!
Whether you choose to stay at Halls or RCs, it is still a huge benefit to have meal plans since you do not have to spend time cooking, and yet still maintain a balance – both for your nutritional health and your financial health. What do you think about the meal plans offered in these hostels? Tell us in the comments! 🙂
