If there’s one thing that all Dawsoners can agree on, it’s that the cafeteria prices are bullshit. They have no business charging 2 hours of labour for 10 pieces of the most mid sushi you’ve ever had and a greasy cookie that tastes like plastic wrap. But fear not, for at The Plant our bank accounts and bowels have reached their limits too, so we scoured Shaughnessy Village for the most delectable domestic dives that don’t destroy your dough, because you deserve better.

Séoul 73

Image via @seoul.23 on Instagram

Séoul 73 is a hidden gem that everyone must visit during their long breaks at school. At the food court of Alexis Nihon, Séoul 73 is a cute and convenient restaurant with various options that cater to on-the-go students. Their unique ramen station is what they are mostly known for with a starting price of $7.99, the station allows customers to customize their ramen with a variety of toppings and cook it on the spot. For those of you who aren’t a big fan of ramen, Séoul 73 also offers a selection of kimbap flavours ranging between $4.95-$5.95. Finally, my personal favourite, the CupBap, a delightful twist on the classic kimbap, served in a bowl. Although this dish is a little pricier, costing up to  $11.99, this is a must-try! Whether you’re a fan of ramen, kimbap, or looking to try something new like CupBap, Séoul 73 is the place for you!

Marché Bazaar

Image via bazaarfood.ca 

Marché Bazaar, an Iranian cuisine supermarket located on the corner of Wood Av and Saint-Catherine St W, has some of the finest prepped Iranian food in Montreal. Snacks like lavashak (all-natural fruit roll-ups) can start at $1. Or if you’d like prepared meals, well-sized saffron rice plates with soup and kebabs start at $13, which yes may seem a little pricey, but for the portion you’re getting, it’s worth it. Another Iranian delicacy that they offer is saffron ice cream wafers which are– I’m not kidding– life-changing. Not only that, but Marché Bazaar has a variety of drinks and sodas that only Iranian places sell. However, here, they sell it for cheaper! So, if you have a long break and are hungry for snacks or a meal you’ve maybe never tried before, I would strongly recommend taking a 3-minute walk to Marché Bazaar!!

Bagels on Greene

Image via The Main

Even if you hate bagels, I guarantee there’s something more for you. An incredible counter-order classic, Bagels on Greene has everything, from soups, to salads, a hot bar of cuisines from around the globe, ready made smoothies, and a grocery market with everything you could ever need. Everything is local and handmade; it really feels like actual humans poured love into everything on the menu. Nothing’s processed, and it’s cheap! The most delectable, 4 inch tall smoked meat sandwich in a sesame bagel still hot from the oven with onions, lettuce, and mustard tastes even better than it sounds when it’s only 10$! There’s PLENTY of vegan and veggie options too! And the best part? You can access it from Dawson while barely going outside! Simply take the Westmount Square tunnel from Atwater, walk straight across the mall, go up the stairs and turn left when you hit the street. It’s right there 🙂

Cocobun

Image via Yelp

Although far from the healthiest option, the Alexis Nihon Cocobun is a Dawson student staple for a reason: it’s cheap as hell and convenient. Connected to the lower atrium through the tunnel and Atwater metro station, you can easily walk in and pick up a savoury pastry and a canned coffee for as low as 5$, a couple of sweet pastries to snack on for a couple of extra dollars, and even boba for slightly less than the average market price. The pastries’ quality isn’t bad either, they taste great and they’re filling, just make sure you eat a few vegetables at some point too.

“Épicerie Coréenne & Japonaise” Marché Oriental Jang Teu

Image via Michael M on Google Maps

Located on St-Catherine, just a block away from the Forum, this small Asian supermarket is a bit of a one stop shop for everything you’d need to make and eat great Asian food at home. But they also have a wide selection of imported snacks and drinks at relatively cheap prices. On top of that, their small “ready to eat” corner near the door offers various delicious options for lunch, including onigiri/samgak kimbap with various fillings for around $4.