The Grocery Guide to Russia 🇷🇺 $2 Shopping

[@NikiProshin]

I forgot to add calories count to the video: breakfast + lunch + dinner = about 1700 calories, not counting the cup of coffee that Lisa treated me. I think I counted it correct, it's a bit less than I typically have in 1 day. Like, comment, and tell me what you'd like to see from Russia next!

[@aurelijusjohn8174]

I would like to see the farmers markets, I want to compare it to my local lithuania -Aurelijus

[@NikiProshin]

Hey Aurelijus, is that what it sounds like, a market with real farmers products? I'd be quite hard to find one around my place, I think

[@aurelijusjohn8174]

@@NikiProshin The central farmers market here also counts as a bazaar, I think a bazaar might be easier to find then

[@johnfeola8606]

@nikiproshin I want to become a patron for 50 a month how

[@johnfeola8606]

@Niki Proshin

[@annmccarthy2101]

This kid is precious. What a pleasant personality. Will be following.

[@wokewokerman5280]

...that was a cool video, it's impressive what you can buy to eat for $2 both in Russia and the US, if you shop basic food and generics. He really had bought much more calories and food weight then he needed for the three meals - save about 50 cents a day for 5 days and then buy some real meat! Stir fry with rice should have met the budget too!

[@SarahKing98]

I LOVE the system of having to create a label with the weight and price of the potatoes! I was a grocery store cashier (in the US) and here it's the cashier's job to type in the produce code into the cash register to determine the price. It can be difficult if you don't have all your produce memorized. For example, sometimes I didn't know what kind of pepper a person had so I had to ask. Looking it up on the register was so time consuming. The Russian method makes so much more sense!

[@luciledrs785]

We have the same system here in France and i agree it's super convenient.

[@lias640]

Its Like that in Most european countries

[@Basauri48970]

In Europe we've been using that system of creating a label for ages. Not in Britain though, at least in the supermarkets I shop in. I always use self checkout tills and need to manually select the product from a menu, then place it on the till to weigh it, which determines the price.

[@Basauri48970]

@sherry hodges No offence, but they got this labelling system from western Europe, where it's been used for at least 30 years as far as I can recall. It's hardly a Russian innovation.

[@Basauri48970]

@sherry hodges My point is that Western European companies brought it to Russia, so it's them who were "ahead". Also, not sure it's a case of being ahead or behind; maybe it's just a cultural thing. British supermarkets don't use this system either.

[@Gblaker1022]

I love the trees in your kitchen!

[@NikiProshin]

I like finding some weird flowers :)

[@carlo5541]

I love these videos. I feel in love with Russia when I was a child. I studied nursing for income but I also took every Russian class I could at university . History, language, culture courses. I study the language every day as-well. Dream is to buy an apartment in Saint Petersburg as vacation home and these videos allows me to learn more on daily life!

[@NikiProshin]

That's such a nice dream! Saint Petersburg is a great place for having a vacation, as well as areas around this city

[@Z0yxx]

Oh man. It’s really sad that your dream seems to be now over or postponed to the next years. Hope you’re not too disappointed ☹️

[@d-meth]

Do you still love Russia so much and dream of living there? 😉

[@adrianamora6706]

@@d-meth I hope she does! Because I never loved Russia before as much as I do now. Victory to Russia 🇷🇺

[@d-meth]

@@adrianamora6706 you feel like invading other countries is great?

[@jredrum480]

I love the way you edit your videos and how much effort you put into them! also love how unbothered you are by crowded places when youre filming and talking to the camera in public, my social anxiety could never 😂 greetings from germany !!

[@NikiProshin]

Greetings from Russia! I do feel anxious sometimes filming in public btw. The less people the more anxious it feels :D

[@jamie42000]

I most definitely appreciate the effort that you have made to make this video for us followers who enjoy learning about everyday life in Russia 🇷🇺. Again thank for for bring us a no BS look at the average lifestyle in your beautiful country. Much love friend ❤

[@NikiProshin]

Thanks, Jamie!

[@ludmilaeugl232]

Fun and friendly video. But life on tight budget isn’t at all funny. Great effort. Thanks.

[@MivusComedy]

A tip for any pasta! Reserve some of the cooking water as it contains starches that the make the texture and flavor of the sauce richer and more enjoyable overall! :)

[@NikiProshin]

Why nobody told me about this before!

[@MivusComedy]

@@NikiProshin also makes the sauce itself stick better to the noodle. Plus never wash th pasta.

[@maggiehihihi]

i love these grocery vids, whenever i visit a new place i always want to check out the grocery store first, feels like anthropology :) great video Niki!

[@adrianjimenez5827]

You did great with that budget!! Man, that "why are you filming me?" was scary, the contrast of her tone with your kind, gentle voice was pretty hard LOL Also, that coffee spoon is so cute! Just a thought but, maybe you could have merch including items like that =)

[@NikiProshin]

This "why are you filming here" is something I hear more often in Russia than any other place I've filmed something. Btw that's a nice idea about such merch! Sometimes I send something like that to my highest tier Patreons, but it'd be nice to have slavic style merch too!

[@amesavis]

I know she was so scary

[@adrianjimenez5827]

@@amesavis it took me off guard LOL I understand her, she saw a camera and got defensive, but still... That broke the lovely calm atmosphere of the video 😆

[@uvalspeight2221]

Niki, these long vids are much better then the short vids on Tiktok. Love it. I really enjoyed your video.

[@jamesrobinson6382]

I like your apartment, especially the wall covering with the trees. I would use that in my house if I could find it here. So beautiful. Great video. Cute girl, too.

[@barbaram.2625]

Thanks!

[@NikiProshin]

Thanks Barbara, you covered another day for me :D

[@1Rene9Night5cart0]

Niki ... get a can opener! Thanx for showing how to eat on the cheap in St Pete.

[@NikiProshin]

The big knife does it well!

[@johnnyhshify]

@@NikiProshin but you look dangerous and scary holding it, wouldn't want to run into you on random street

[@sanjoyroystravelblog5413]

Background of your kitchen is so beautiful. It seems you are taking your breakfast in open nature. If you use fother when taking coffee specifically in cold it will give you wonderful experience. Your kitchen is so modern and beautiful.

[@kathieli8060]

You’re so optimistic person Niki👍👍👍Stay strong and keep on going with your videos. You is not only smart how to survive during this crisis! But you are really intelligent and inspired me and other people from every corners in the whole world for sure. Cheer up 💪🤞

[@penny1186]

I love watching these type of challenges. It allows you to be creative and to show us meals consumed in Russia we might not have seen without the challenge.

[@teresa3070]

You did great! Love the mountain trees in your kitchen. Saw them recently as a shower curtain.

[@devonpope7200]

Genuinely really enjoyed this video and so did my 2 year old ha we'd love to see some more like this! It's around £3 in the UK for a regular sized Americano 🙂

[@NikiProshin]

Glad you enjoyed it! Btw 3 pounds is much above average but not something unreal in Russia for a cup of coffee

[@haroonmarikar]

A true russian in every way a fighter . I really like your videos both the recent ones and the ones like this . Best wishes . Appreciate going out in rough weather

[@MivusComedy]

Usually an Americano here Silicon Valley can be around $2.50. I invested in an espresso machine, Breville Bambino, at home and it has payed for itself at this point. I highly recommend people to do so if they can. Plus I can get coffee by the ounce rather than pound bags.

[@Josh_Degnan]

17:28 I tried this candy at my school! It was for a "candy around the world" type thing. I do agree that it is a bit too sweet for me but it was nice to try something from a different country! 🙂

[@NikiProshin]

Wow, that's such a cool concept, candy around the world! I didn't have anything like this at school but I'd love to

[@catherineb6889]

That was my childhood candy as well, my taste buds changed and it just tastes like a sugar block now lol

[@bookishly.introverted]

Thank you for all the great content, Niki! This was interesting as always.))

[@NikiProshin]

Thank you for being here!

[@clareprichard9215]

Hi! local coffee here in rural India is 35 roubles! 🌟Thanks for your upbeat videos. A great tonic in dark times. Stay safe.

[@ivegotadhd]

your videos are so infformative yet entretaining, i really like the editing and the effort you put on then, good job and thanks for the amazing content :D

[@NikiProshin]

Thanks :) glad you like my videos! When I see such words, I feel like the time and effort I spend for making these videos isn't useless!

[@1957jmhiser1]

Some people did this challenge, but they lived in big cities, and would go to open houses for houses for sale to get free snacks, art galleries to get snacks and drinks free, free coffee at work, free ketchup from restaurants to make tomato soup, all kinds of things. Several would wait until near closing time for restaurants and ask them for food they were throwing away.

[@d-meth]

So they were not doing the challenge

[@nouhmakhmara]

man I really enjoy the content that you make, I feel myself living the true experience, which good luck, your fan from morocco ❤

[@NikiProshin]

Thank you, and greetings from Russia!

[@Muskanshaikh-n8s]

So impressed 🎉🎉I love the tree in kitchen ❤❤

[@alcoholfree6381]

Secret on noodles of any type; shared with you from my mom who went to Heaven 4 years ago. Boil the noodles. When they get limp pull out a single noodle and throw it against cabinet door. When it sticks you are done. It looks like you did well! Enjoy. You ate well for a little money!

[@julietdallaire8444]

Thank you, Niki for taking us with you to show us how to survive for $2 a day in Russia. Love and thanks from Canada 🥰💖

[@PhotoOwl]

Both the spaghetti and that potato dish looked really good, so I'm going to try your recipe for the spaghetti maybe the day after tomorrow. btw epic time lapse at twenty-twenty :)

[@NikiProshin]

Not as epic as yours :D

[@rainbelledrops1858]

You have a new subscriber from Ireland 🇮🇪❤️❤️

[@ufoscriptorium]

☘☘👍👍

[@Matthew_Henley]

It’s interesting how cheaply you can eat. Glad to see you got a couple of sweet treats. Loving 🥰 your channel. Peace from 🇬🇧

[@SatansFire]

Been marathoning your videos at work all day, love the content but love your energy all the more. Looking forward to future content!

[@NikiProshin]

Thank you!

[@egikm.8942]

I started watching you today. Impressive videos. I live in New York & everything here is relatively very expensive (compared to other states). Your English is great. Looking forward to your next vlog. In the meantime, I will watch your earlier videos.

[@mauzoomali]

Love your channel. Keep up the work!

[@NikiProshin]

I will! Thanks for being here :)

[@amihyde644]

Hi Niki....This is one of my favorite videos of yours! Do you think you could do a show on the "staples" in a Russian food pantry? It's so fun to see. I also would like to have a tour of your apartment (which seems nicely decorated) and tips on how you live in such a compact space. and Hi LISA!

[@lindaSee89]

Hi Niki your poor Man’s stew looked good.

[@hanaur]

interesting video niki!! and I like how you and lisa have matching strand of green hair haha

[@rylllagas2216]

Hey, great video! It's really fun watching your content, it's like going into the daily life of a friend lol. Here in the Philippines, a starbucks or other big company / artisan coffee costs about $2.99-3.99 but a single packet of coffee (for a single cup) can cost about $0.20.

[@NikiProshin]

That's the vibe I wanna have, like watching your Russian friend's life here :)

[@s_greenmachine]

Your videos are so cool; I love learning about all the different things in Russia! If you get “fancy” coffee in the US, like stuff from Starbucks, it’s close to $6!

[@ThatAusGamer]

Coffee here is super dependent on which state you buy it in but it will cost you anywhere from $4-8AUD so a maximum of 420ish rubles.

[@HORSESWELUV]

Hi Niki in Mexico for 2 dllrs you can go to the market, not supermarket and have a meal for 3 days including pork meat, something called chicharron which is the pork skin, is super tasty and super huge a few tomatoes and cactus that is exactly 2 dllrs, the difference is that you can feed a whole family or 3 probably 4 days for a single person or you can buy veggies for soup which is only 5 cents per kilo for a huge soup of a big variety of veggies. So far I`ve seen the prices are almost the same there and here but the difference is that here the market is even cheaper, and the fruits are almost a gift here.

[@adamlong3818]

Such a good video in some ways a bit similar to my country a lot of things have gone up in price we have an annual budget things usually go up or down in price from Ireland by the way

[@robertelee675]

12:35 wow what a beautiful city 💜💜💜 Much love from America

[@ladysensei1487]

love your videos. I just subscribes.I'm learning Russian and for some reason this is a very easy language for me to learn. Maybe because I really love it. I like seeing how life is in Russia too. Thank you

[@pinklady7184]

US $2 is €1.90 here in Ireland. That is roughly a price of a takeway cup of tea. Nothing is cheap here in Ireland. From $2 or €1.90, I can get two litres of milk and get 20 cents leftover. At present, I am growing foods in containers at home. I have potatoes growing in an old paint bucket with compost. When you see your potatoes sprouting, save them for the bucket instead of throwing them out. I am also growing onions, celeries, carrots, garden peas, lettuce, etc.

[@SnafuYT]

Thanks for another nice video! :)

[@donrobertson4611]

This was somehow fascinating to watch. Might be fun to try the $2-a-day challenge here in Tucson!

[@nnicollan]

The most entertaining shopping narration ever :)

[@leslynconnell2206]

I just found your channel..I am very impressed with your shopping skills..I love the toast bread..beautiful.

[@alcoholfree6381]

I am watching this again after watching your 7/25/2022 video where you repeated the $2 challenge and could not do it again due to inflation after SMO. Your lady friend is beautiful! You’re blessed.

[@d-meth]

In the US you'd be lucky to buy a can of beans and a package of pasta, on sale. You could get a large cup of cheap coffee for $1.50 in NYC

[@wr1pg]

Love these videos!! Keep up the good work

[@NikiProshin]

Thanks Alex!

[@joshuahalsell5152]

I found this video very entertaining, good to know if I visit Russia on a budget food won't be a issue 🤣

[@juggaknix]

It would be cheaper to go to the renok, I used to buy from lenta when I moved to Russia coz I couldn’t speak Russian, but when my language skills improved the renok was an awesome place to go grocery shopping , you can bargain with the uzbeki sellers and it’s great fun

[@StarrySunnie]

You are Amazing for guiding us how to be money saver, Mr. Niki 🙏🏽 🙇🏻‍♀️You are a good human. Your cooking definitely have made me hungry 😋😋

[@milikoshki]

This was a cool premise, Niki :) canned meat seems scary but you made it look palatable, so nice job :D

[@NikiProshin]

That canned meat is something that exceeded my expectations by being not as scary as it looked :D

[@garycooper9207]

Kiva video. Terveisiä Suomesta 🇫🇮

[@johnvelas70]

Potato dumplings are called pierogies in Slovak. One fist sized garlic bulb cost $1.00 here. Coffee cost 65 cents. I made haluskies tonight (stuffed cabbage with pork & beef). ps Tell Lisa she has a cute nose.

[@NikiProshin]

Interesting to know. Pierogies in Russian is a little different thing, it means Pie here, and Pierozhki are little pies! ps. told her :)

[@johnvelas70]

@@NikiProshin I had my 1st Russian job interview today. Part 2 will be the end of the week.

[@katied4658]

Fruit rather than candy and making use of sales and coupons might have stretched that $2 a bit more especially since mashed fruit can take place of jelly or jam. Not sure if Russia has store cards but we do in the US and got cereal and peanut butter for free on occasion using store coupons.

[@sofiacruz1713]

Really nice video Niki :)) I like it a lot

[@riacosta7921]

I really enjoyed watching this. Thank you for sharing. You did great! It would be impossible to by that much for $2 in the USA. Here you'd be able to buy a loaf of bread non-name brand and maybe 1/2 dozen eggs.

[@d-meth]

And? Either or, at dollar tree not in a normal store

[@catherineb6889]

@@d-meth at the dollar store all you can get is a bag or two of junk food for that, not much

[@d-meth]

@@catherineb6889 🤦‍♀️ Exactly what I mean, you can't actually buy food for $2 in the US. Unless it's pasta and sauce at a dollar tree

[@ella9872]

this was so fun to watch! with love from new zealand ❤

[@NikiProshin]

greetings from Russia!

[@LynIsALilADHD]

I'm incredibly impressed with what you did here!!!!

[@SuperLittleTyke]

I really like your white stovetop! You did really well with your meal planning and food purchases. The can of beef didn't look too bad. One step up from dog food, and pet food is tasted by actual people in the food factories, so it can't be too disgusting. Not being restricted to $2 a day, I would pay a bit more for a better can of beef, but keep the potatoes, onion and carrots. That cheese looked very tasty. I wonder whether something like it is available in England? My local Polish food shop may have cheese like that. I buy East European food there frequently.

[@CRAFTWORKJEWELRY]

THE CANDY KAROVKA IS MADE OF FUDGE ,IN ENGLISH. GREAT WORK AND USEFULL EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE MEAN COUNTRY😊😊

[@Latvian07]

Privet from Latvia! It seems like if i want to feel rich, i must go to Russia

[@NikiProshin]

if you want to feel extra rich, go to a Russian countryside

[@AdvoAmy]

Thanks for sharing. I will be happy to keep watching your videos. You should know that we do not have ill will toward Russian people, but rather your leaders.

[@marczimmerman8524]

Good videos, Niki. Snickers is back!

[@roborovskihamster5425]

I love that candy in Russia is called конфета. It reminds me of confetti.

[@yeetonykp4569]

Here in Hong Kong, US$2 can buy 3 oranges, or one canned tuna. A small pack of ground coffe costs about US$11 in average. A can of Campbell's soup around US$1.5.

[@daniel694]

Delighted to have discovered your channel. You’re fun to watch and it’s so interesting to see small snippets of life in Russia. Food in Canada is much more expensive. I wonder, is food subsidized by the government? Would be interesting to know what the average monthly salary of a Russian person would be to give a cost/ratio perspective.

[@cybershit4612]

Coffee of that quality - packing etc included is 300 Rs/Rub same currency value. Coming to Kazan this December for studies 👀

[@NikiProshin]

Welcome to Russia! Kazan is a nice place to visit, it's also very authentic. You'll like it there

[@54frances]

I love your stove! Looks like you did a great job all looked good except canned meat 😖 Out coffee is high I buy whole beans and grind them to make a nice strong coffee. That Turkish coffee looked really strong and good!!!

[@NikiProshin]

Canned meat looked terrible but it actually tastes okay. I wouldn't like to eat it every day though 😅

[@lucaandrea2345]

Barilla is the cheapest brand here in Italy and everybody knows the grain is imported from Russia and Ukaine, so I'm sure that russian brand it's the same quality! Thank you for the video, greetings from Italy!

[@nadezhdaversh]

They are good, but not the best. We have local brands with same or better quality.

[@pacificH2O]

It would be great to see more videos on dishes you cook! It's very different.

[@raw_oyster]

I love your videos! ❤️❤️❤️ I am Russian living in USA 🤍💙❤ And I'm SUPER impressed with you English! Я Английский не знал так хорошо как ты несколько лет, проживая в Америке. Пожалуйста скажи как ты его выучил, практически безупречно?!! Thank you for your unique content!!! 💙💛

[@BSGSV]

In California, a plain coffee at McDonalds is around $1.50 and at Starbucks, a coffee drink can be anywhere from $2 to $6. But the average salary in California is $63,000/yr or $5200/month so it is not bad.

[@stanleybest8833]

Add the dimension of using your freezer. When I bake chicken for 9 hours, my cat wakes me at 3 AM. What survives the cat and human feast is wrapped in a bread bag and thrown in the freezer. 1 or 2 pieces get tempered ( thawed ) at a time and boiled back hot. You totally forgot butter. Conclusion, on two bucks, you can eat like a king...czar. American meals are more like stoking a locomotive than a cooking show.

[@DimitriyLee]

Korovka is good, and you did it pretty well with the budget:)! just the cashier's attitude is rude, no hello no nothing. Costa coffee in UK is about £3/300RUB, or smth cheaper like Caffe Nero is about £2/200RUB, McDonalds sells coffee for about £1/£1.5 - 100/150RUB

[@NikiProshin]

Cashiers greet people and behave much nicer at more expensive stores, and at cheap places you're more likely to see cold politeness or even rudeness. That's a bit weird to me though

[@Bunzillaz]

I really like your vegetables system. When I was in Russia. I didn't understand it. 😅 But you made it easier to understand.

[@emmadgrnd701]

A coffee to take away in Belgium is between 2,5 - 3,5 euro. Would love to visit Russia one day!

[@antonvernooy6186]

i would like to see more of him and his gf doing things in Russia or Istanbul, wherever they are, I like seeing them try things and showing normal things

[@kat_trabue]

Coffee here could be anywhere from less than $1 at a cheap diner to over $10 at a nice cafe (relatively plain coffee). Fancy coffee drinks at fancy cafes are maybe $5-20. I am in the USA, midwest, urban area.

[@spacesoarer3627]

Love your energy!

[@barbaragoowdin8115]

Thank you for this. Very interesting. I think you were very brave to try the canned beef. It didn't look very good but you were brave

[@montyollie]

Absolutely loved this video! Would love to see a new one, where you are now making more on Patreon as well as prices in Russia have skyrocketed

[@sheilabanks8771]

Love your kettle, I have the same one in London UK.

[@ValeriaLvova]

Absolutely love watching your videos! Keep up your content is awesome! I am Russian, but I live in Malta. The coffee here is 3.50 euros.

[@awpetersen5909]

Butterbrot, that's what we call it too!

[@nicolmateo38]

OMG Turkish coffee to breakfast..this is luxury

[@karenwright4036]

Great video. Found this very interesting. The only item you purchased which I could afford under $2 was the potato. Compared to Australia, your food prices are incredibly cheap. Garlic , for example, is about $33 Aus per kg. Everything is relative, however, and our high wages are reflected in grocery prices. I am a disability pensioner on the lowest end of income in Australia but I can still afford to eat very well. I can’t afford to have coffee out very often though. A good coffee is about $5. Unfortunately, I will never get to visit your beautiful country so your type of videos are a good insight to how you live. You are young though, and if you ever get a chance to visit Australia, take it. I think you’d love our weather.😀

[@cscss2923]

This would be a very interesting series to continue, perhaps once a week. I feel bad for average Russians. I've already seen another KZbinr's grocery video and prices are on average +30% with some produce up 150%(!!). Stock up on any good sales you see now.

[@indiancowpeedrinker9241]

Eastern europe is so sad

[@Lljallja]

From April 4, all food in Germany is increased by 50%. Do not talk nonsense)))) Russia is full of local producers. And the place of the departed will be taken by new brands from Asia. But in the West there will soon be hyper inflation and famine.

[@kloso97]

I feel more bad for the dead in the Ukraine

[@Tonyx.yt.]

cheapest bread sold in italy increase his price by 40% since 1 year ago, from 1.04 to 1.48€/kg, "artisan" bread is betwen 4-7€/kg chease and meat 20ish % more beer around 10% fun fact, you can buy wine for almost half the price of gasoline

[@NikiProshin]

I am going to do this video soon again!

[@infamousS709]

Wow I am surprised you could get a whole days meals for $2usd! Great vid 👍🏽and looks like a fun challenge to try

[@TwistedThor187]

Just found your channel mate. Very interesting.

[@debrandw246]

Coffee is 6. Pounds in UK very expensive. Very small jar. Price is raising very quickly. Great video.

[@mikeduke2249]

You are so nice and positive. I'll send you money to help with your food.

[@NikiProshin]

Just being here and watching my videos is enough :)

[@KatieSwordvideos]

не везде есть фильтрованая вода, не везде есть в этом необходимость. например под питером некоторые поселки снабжаются водой из ладожского водохранилища, вода там очень чистая и не нуждается в фильтрации.(подходит даже для аквариумов и терариумов с амфибиями для которых чистота воды критична) Все зависит только от конкретного места где человек живет. Во многих местах водопроводная вода достаточно хорошего качества чтобы готовить на ней.

[@Dingarino]

Here coffee costs like 357.20 rubles and awesome video by the way

[@NikiProshin]

That's quite expensive for Russia! Where're you from? And thank you!

[@asfg2023]

Wow! In Spain I wouldn't be able to buy bread and pasta for 2 dollars. You could get a lot of things! Wow. Supermarkets here rip you off. I haven't been able to buy red meet for years, I cannot afford it. 🤷‍♀️ By the way, I love the way you edit your videos. Great job!