The money he had at first is the whole bar: what he spent (rice + noodles) plus what was left. The $29 left is given; the $16 and $15 are worked out.

$16$15$29? at first2 rice3 noodlesleft

Plain numbers are given; italic underlined numbers are worked out.

  1. Rice → 2 × $8 = $16
  2. Noodles → 3 × $5 = $15
  3. Spent → $16 + $15 = $31
  4. At first → $31 + $29 = $60

He had $60 at first.

Check: $60 − $31 spent = $29 left. ✓