Payday Is Coming — Survive 3 Days on 1,000 Yen with These Emergency Recipes

Three days until payday. Only 1,000 yen in your wallet... Here are survival recipes to get you through the crisis.

■ Shopping List (About 800 yen total)
- Sliced bread (6 slices) 100 yen
- Eggs (6-pack) 150 yen
- Bean sprouts (2 bags) 40 yen
- Tofu (1 block) 40 yen
- Pasta 500g 150 yen
- Ketchup (100-yen shop) 110 yen
- Margarine (100-yen shop) 110 yen
- Remaining 100 yen (seasonings, etc.)

■ Day 1
Breakfast: Egg toast (bread + egg + margarine)
Lunch: Bean sprout and egg stir-fry + bread
Dinner: Napolitan (pasta + ketchup + egg)

■ Day 2
Breakfast: Toast + fried egg
Lunch: Mapo tofu-style (tofu + bean sprouts + seasonings) + bread
Dinner: Egg pasta (pasta + egg + margarine)

■ Day 3
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs + toast
Lunch: Bean sprout and tofu miso soup-style (if you have miso) + bread
Dinner: Creative cooking with whatever is left

■ Key Points
- Eggs are a complete food — packed with protein and vitamins
- Bean sprouts are cheap and perfect for bulking up a meal
- Pasta is an excellent energy source
- Drink plenty of tap water to keep your beverage costs at zero

Once you make it through, start planning your food budget from the next payday.

* Listed prices are as of 2025. Prices may vary by location and season. Please check the latest prices at each restaurant.