Binnenrotte Markt

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Welcome back to another year of early lectures (or late, if you’re lucky!), crashing people’s house parties, and most of all, the constant pressure of life weighing down on you. Maybe that sounded a bit daunting, but hell, that’s what student life is – a big part of which is food. If you’re not careful and smart about shopping for groceries, you just might end up spending a lot more than you should. Who wouldn’t like a few euros extra to spend on drinks, right? If you’re new to the city, I would like to introduce you to the Binnenrotte Markt, and if you’re not new, then I certainly hope that you’re familiar with it!

On Tuesdays and Saturdays between 8:30 and 17:30, over 400 stalls are at your disposal with a wide variety of products ranging from fresh seafood and vegetables to cheese and trinkets. Chances are high you will find what you are looking for at the Binnenrotte Market. With rows and rows set up in front of the reputable Markthal, the open market is definitely the right match for a student budget, and everyone else who wants to save money for that matter. I was utterly surprised to pick up a kilo of mushrooms for €1,00 when I visited the market for the first time. Most supermarkets charge you a little over €1,20 for 400 grams of mushrooms already. So, to emphasize the savings here: ONE EURO for a KILO. I also managed to snag three avocados for €1,00 and we all know how expensive one of those can be  in a supermarket! These are just few examples; you really don’t have to look far at the market to find a good deal.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Feel free to pick up a few small bites such as olieballen and gözleme (hint: if you find the Turkish stall on the edge of the market, you’re doing it right!) here and there while shopping to keep yourself satiated. Not only are there stalls with eateries, but also a range of household items, clothing, and plants, for instance. One last tip: if you’re around when it’s almost closing time, sellers give you crazy good deals for fruits, veggies, and flowers to prevent wastage and spoilage of fresh products.

The only downfall you may encounter is that after buying something at one stall you just might walk down the row and find the same for even cheaper. Yes, it happens to all of us, but as soon as you start going to the market regularly you will get the knack of where you can get the best buys. A little thing to note though (hear me out, we’re almost at the end): most vendors prefer cash. Very uncommon in the Netherlands but for all those coins you’ve been hoarding this is the perfect opportunity to put them to good use!

If you ever find yourself free on any of the two days between 8:30 and 17:30, head over to the market and find out what’s available. I guarantee that your wallet won’t be disappointed and your next meal will taste twice as good knowing that you saved so much.

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My name is Yashita Atmaram, and I will be one of your new bloggers for the year! I hope you will tune in with me ever so often to learn something new about this beautiful city and discover all of its nooks and crannies.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]