Everything you need to bring upon arrival

When moving into university halls, your kitchen cupboard essentials should focus on multi-use cookware, budget-friendly pantry items and basic cleaning supplies. Try not to over-pack initially. Instead, prioritise the core items needed to whip up quick meals, and use your local supermarkets to stock up on food once you arrive.

Carbohydrates and Grains

🍜 Pasta & Noodles: The ultimate quick meal

🍚 Rice: A great side dish that works well for curries, stir-fries, or risottos

🌾 Oats: Perfect for morning porridge, baking, or homemade granola

🍛 Grains & Pulses: Lentils, quinoa, and couscous for quick side dishes

Tins & Jars

🥫 Tomatoes: The foundation for soups, stews and pasta sauces

🫘 Beans & Chickpeas: High in fibre and ready to toss into salads, curries or chillis

🐟 Tuna: Offers a quick and nutritious sandwich filling or pasta addition

🌰 Nut Butters: Peanut or almost butter for toast, smoothies or savoury sauces

Oils & Condiments

🫒 Olive Oil: Use extra virgin oil for dressings and finishing, and a standard oil for cooking

🥟 Soy Sauce: A salty staple for marinades and stir-fries

🥙 Vinegar: Keep a mix of balsamic (for salad dressings), apple cider (for pickling), and white wine vinegar

🍵 Stock Cubes: Essential for instantly boosting flavour

Baking Essentials

🍪 Flour: Keep plain flour for thickening sauces and basic baking

🍬 Sugar: White sugar for general cooking and brown sugar for baking

🫙 Baking agents: Baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and vanilla extract

Spices & Seasoning

🧂Salt & Black Pepper: The absolute bare minimum for seasoning anything properly

🌶️ Everyday Spices: Cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, and chilli flakes

Now you're ready to set up your cupboard in your university halls!