假如要找便宜美食的話，只要去學校周邊找找，或者直接問學生，就可以找到，因為學生通常沒有穩定收入，主要依靠零用錢或打工賺取生活費，因此對於飲食的選擇，他們更傾向於價格實惠、份量充足的餐點，而學區附近的餐廳也大多靠高來客數維持營運，所以，即使單價較低，也能獲得足夠的利潤。
我偶爾在夜市附近發現的這條小巷弄，人來人往，川流不息，看起來應該是甚麼好地方，首先，就看見好幾家賣自助餐的店家，菜色有肉、有魚、有菜，價錢則在一百元上下台幣，客人不只有學生，還有附近的居民，自助餐一向是庶民們最便宜的選項之一，自助餐大陸叫快餐，指的是同樣的事物。
到無人拉麵店吃泡麵是近幾年在學生間最流行的一種用餐方式，店內提供各種台式或韓式泡麵，自助吧則提供幾種配料與飲料可取用，店內空間寬敞明亮，三五好友約來店內一起動手做自己想吃的泡麵，不但好吃又好玩，店家採24小時自助營業方式，學生夜貓族半夜想覓食的話，除了24小時營業的便利商店外，又有一個新的選擇。
此外，還有很多家裝潢新穎的餐廳，為了迎合學生族群喜新厭舊的心態，較有格調的餐廳，會吸引到某些類型的學生顧客，這條巷弄我就看見了好幾家拉麵店，可能對於趕時間的學生來說，無論是考試前的熬夜、下課後的速食選擇，甚至是宵夜時段，拉麵都是最簡單又快速的食物，而且價格親民，不太會超過兩百元台幣，看來，要找在地便宜美食的話，還是多往小巷弄去找吧。
If you're looking for cheap eats, just head to an area near a school or ask a student; you’re bound to find something good. Since most students don’t have a stable income and rely on allowance or part-time jobs, they tend to go for meals that are affordable and filling. Restaurants near schools usually keep prices low but make up for it with a high number of customers, so even with lower prices, they still manage to stay profitable.
One time, I stumbled upon a small alley near a night market. It was packed with people, which usually means good food. The first thing I noticed was several self-serve buffet restaurants offering a variety of dishes, such as meat, fish, vegetables, all for around NT$100. The customers weren’t just students but also local residents. These buffet-style meals, known as "kuaican" in China, are one of the most budget-friendly food options for everyday people.
Recently, self-service ramen shops have become really popular among students. These places offer different types of instant noodles, from Taiwanese to Korean styles, along with a small buffet of toppings and drinks. The spaces are usually bright and spacious, making it a fun place for groups of friends to hang out and cook their own ramen. Since these shops run 24/7, they’ve become a great alternative for night owl students looking for a late-night meal—besides the usual convenience store options.
There are also many trendy restaurants around, designed to appeal to students who enjoy trying new things. Some fancier places attract certain types of student customers. I even spotted several ramen shops in this alley, which makes sense—ramen is a quick and easy meal, perfect for students cramming for exams, grabbing a bite between classes, or looking for a midnight snack. Plus, it’s usually under NT$200, making it an affordable choice. Looks like if you really want to find good local cheap eats, small alleys are the way to go!
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