When choosing which survival foods to stockpile, I would advise you to think about including instant Ramen noodles on your shopping list. Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Japan, introduced instant Ramen noodles to the United States in 1970. He began making instant Ramen noodles in Gardena, California, in 1972.
Instant Ramen is a good survival food because you can eat it straight from the package without adding water, it has a long shelf life, doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and it’s very affordable. It also provides you with the sodium and carbohydrates your body needs to survive.
What is the shelf life of instant Ramen noodles?
Around 2 years. The shelf life of instant Ramen is about two years. However, don’t let this discourage you from purchasing them for your long-term food supply. A “best by date” or “expiration date” will be printed on the package, designating the time period during which the product will be at its finest. This is usually around 2 years from the production date. That doesn’t mean that the contents will be spoiled though. After the best by date, you can still eat instant Ramen noodles as long as you inspect them first.
Check the entire packaging for the “best by” date on your noodles. Depending on the item you are looking at, it will either be on the bottom or the side. Don’t get confused by all the numbers. Most have extra numbers meant for the manufacturer.
How to tell if instant Ramen noodles have gone bad
Do a sight/smell test. Your instant Ramen noodles’ best by date will let you know that the product probably won’t be at its best, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop eating them. Take a look at the packaging. If the plastic or container has any rips or holes, you should carefully inspect the noodles to ensure that they haven’t been contaminated or that mold hasn’t already begun to grow.
Pay special attention to the seasoning packet(s) as well. It’s best to discard anything that smells off so you don’t risk getting sick from tainted food.
How to store instant Ramen noodles for the long-term
As with most emergency foods, instant Ramen noodles should be kept in a dry, cool environment. A pantry will work great. Instant Ramen noodles have been mistreated by me by being left outside in the rain, and they are still edible. Although it is not advised, instant Ramen noodles can endure significant abuse and still be edible!
How to cook instant Ramen noodles
So simple. Considering that instant Ramen noodles are precooked and can be consumed dry out of the package, did you know that you are not required to cook them? This could be useful in a survival situation if you don’t have access to water or don’t want to start a fire to boil water.
When we were living in Indonesia, we would open the package of instant Ramen noodles, crush the noodles inside, and then sprinkle the dry seasoning on top. It made for a convenient and tasty snack!.
Do I need a microwave to cook instant Ramen noodles?
No. The simple answer is no. As previously mentioned, because the noodles are precooked in the factory, you DO NOT NEED a microwave to prepare instant Ramen noodles. Today’s market is filled with a variety of instant Ramen noodles, each of which has a specific serving suggestion. Here are just a few of the most well-liked brands of instant Ramen noodles available:
Are there other instant Ramen noodle companies besides Nissin and Maruchan?
Yes, there are several. The two most well-known manufacturers of instant Ramen noodles in the US are Nissin and Maruchan. You may or may not be aware that there are additional Japanese-based instant ramen noodle manufacturers besides these two. Here are few that I recommend:
- What makes them superior you might ask? More seasoning packets. Depending on the flavor you purchase, you will typically find a sweet soy sauce packet, a hot sauce packet, an oil packet, a dry seasoning packet, and a fried onion packet.
Now can you see why these are our favorites? The Indonesian Ramen noodles are more difficult to find here in America and a bit more costly, but they will add great flavor variety for your survival food storage. Try your local Asian market or here on Amazon. Look for Mie Sedaap or Indomie. “Mie” means “noodles” in Indonesian.
How much instant Ramen noodles should I store for a year?
I advise you to keep three packets of instant Ramen per week per person. They should only be consumed in moderation and as part of a well-balanced diet because they are high in sodium. It is best to stock our storage with foods that will fuel our bodies because we are preparing for survival. You might want to think about including SPAM in addition to the instant Ramen noodles. It is a fantastic source of protein and doesn’t require cooking or refrigeration.
Are Ramen noodles bad for you?
That depends. Food keeps you alive in a survival situation because it is food. Are Ramen noodles high in sodium? Absolutely. You can reduce the sodium content of your ramen by discarding the seasoning packets and replacing them with your own herbs and spices from your own pantry.
I advise using instant Ramen noodles in your stockpile, but not exclusively, since we are considering foods for survival. There are a variety of options available for long-term food storage. Here is a list of eight that I put together to get you going.
How long can a person live on instant Ramen noodles alone?
Ramen noodles alone run the risk of causing heart problems if that’s all you eat. While there isn’t a magic number for how many days or weeks you will live, your body needs more nutrients than Ramen noodle soup can offer in order to function properly.
How much do instant Ramen noodles cost?
Due to their low cost, instant ramen is frequently associated with underprivileged college students. It really will depend on where you buy them, but you can get Nissin Top Ramen in the flavor of Chicken on Amazon for $0. 73 each.
On Amazon, the Maruchan brand is even more affordable than Nissin, currently costing around $0. 24 each. After Nissin in 1977, Maruchan is another Japanese company that began producing instant Ramen noodles in America.
What are instant Ramen noodles made of?
Instant Ramen noodles are typically made with wheat flour, salt, and oil.
It is widely acknowledged that the Ramen noodle came from China to Japan. The instant Ramen Noodle was created in Japan and later sold in America. I’ve made an effort to emphasize throughout this article that this discussion concerns INSTANT Ramen Noodles. There is a growing market for people willing to spend at least $15 today because the original Ramen Noodle was not instant. 00 for a bowl of Ramen Noodles. We are NOT preparing those particular noodles in order to survive.
Some interesting ways to eat Ramen noodles
What are the most popular instant Ramen noodles?
The two brands of instant Ramen noodles that are most well-known to Americans are by far Nissin and Maruchan. Both brands have been around for a while and are readily available on the shelves of your typical grocery store without much searching.
The Original Cup Noodles by Nissin are well known to most Americans. With its styrofoam packaging, Maruchan’s Instant Lunch is very similar to this classic. These are by far the most practical and affordable methods of consuming instant Ramen noodles.
Other brands, like Samyung, are gaining popularity among Americans. especially those who enjoy a little more flavor and higher-quality instant Ramen noodles
With the introduction of instant stir-fry and chow mein varieties, Nissin has improved. Lots to choose from.
Conclusion
Instant Ramen is a good survival food, in my opinion. The “best by date” is only about 2 years, which is a drawback, but it’s generally accepted that instant Ramen noodles can be kept and consumed for much longer than that.
Instant Ramen noodles don’t need to be cooked; you can eat them straight from the package, which is just one of the many benefits that make them a great survival food. Additionally, they don’t require refrigeration and are very affordable.
If you’re looking for a cheap survival food, I believe instant Ramen noodles are a great choice. They work well for both serious preppers and people who are simply making emergency plans. Please let me know which instant Ramen noodle brands and flavors are your favorites.
FAQ
Can you live off of ramen noodles?
Practically speaking, it is not possible to survive solely on the cup ramen that Brian Bender used to calculate the nutrients in. This is due to the fact that, as he stated, ramen is sodium- and micronutrient-poor. However, if you balance your diet and nutrients, you could theoretically survive on cup noodles.
What happens if you eat ramen noodles all the time?
According to medical professionals, ramen’s processed ingredients, high sodium content, and significant amount of saturated fats raise blood pressure, blood sugar, and risk for stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.
Can you eat ramen for a year?
The answer is yes, BUT I don’t recommend it. Your instant noodles’ oil will start to deteriorate eight months after they were produced, and the taste won’t be as good as it was when the noodles were fresh. You shouldn’t eat instant noodles that is too old.
Is it OK to eat instant ramen every day?
The Verdict In moderation, including instant noodles in your diet is probably not going to have any negative effects on your health. Don’t use them as a mainstay in your diet, though, as they are low in nutrients. Additionally, regular consumption is connected to a poor diet and a higher risk of metabolic syndrome.