The direct translation of 何不食肉糜 (T/S) [hébù shíròu mí] is why not eat meat congee? Congee, in case you don't know, is rice porridge. It is very soupy rice and you put various garnishes on it.
What do you think this phrase mean and why would you use it? Do you think the speaker is actually asking you why not eat a meal that has minced meat on it? Here's another clue... if a homeless person use this phrase versus a person who is not homeless, do you think the tone or the meaning would be different?
Ok give up? When someone uses this phrase s/he is being sarcastic. Something that is affordable to you is not affordable to him or her. In this case a plain dish with rice on it is a very simple dish to you. You can whip that up without too much effort or money. However to him or her they don't have the resources or the money to afford that meal.
this is like "let them eat cake"
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