In a word, yes, Ramen noodles do expire or go bad. However, just because something has passed its best-by date or has passed its expiration date does not necessarily mean that it is bad. But what if you find out that the package of instant noodles you brought home for dinner has passed its expiration date? Should you eat it or throw it away? Prepare to enter the world of expired Ramen noodles like you’ve never thought about it before!
College students, campers, and people on a budget frequently choose ramen noodles as a meal. Instant Ramen noodles can last several months and, dare we say, years past the expiration date if they are stored properly, but how do you know when they expire or go bad? This article will define an expiration or best by date and explain what it means if ramen noodles are still safe to eat after that date has passed. Let’s look at what this means and how to tell if your ramen noodles are expired or bad, and then we’ll talk about some signs that your ramen might be going bad and when you shouldn’t risk eating them.
Ramen noodles do expire and go bad, just like all other foods (if they didn’t, we’d be afraid to eat them!). However, you wouldn’t really need to discard them until many, many months or even years after the expiration date. The shelf life of instant Ramen noodles is much longer than indicated on the package because they have been dried and packed with so many preservatives.
Brands of instant noodles like Maruchan also use a “best by” date, which is distinct from an “expiration date” and doesn’t indicate that the item is unsafe to consume on that specific day. We are getting a bit ahead of ourselves here. Let’s examine how an expiration date and a best by date on packaged foods differ from one another.
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!.
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 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.
FAQ
Do ramen noodles actually expire?
Ramen noodles do expire and go bad, just like all other foods (if they didn’t, we’d be afraid to eat them!). However, you wouldn’t really need to discard them until many, many months or even years after the expiration date.
Can you eat 2 year old ramen noodles?
After three months after their expiration date, ramen noodles are still safe to eat, but it’s best to discard them as mold growth will start to appear. You are more likely to experience an upset stomach after consuming ramen the older it gets. What is this?.
How long do packaged ramen noodles last?
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.
Can ramen noodles last 10 years?
Instant noodles are made using food preservation technology to increase their shelf life because they are non-perishable. On bags of instant noodles, the best before dates will typically range from eight months to two years.
