Ramen is a Japanese invention with roots in China. It is a very well-liked dish in both nations and is available in almost all major American grocery stores. But how effective is ramen as a survival food or for prepping?
Ramen is useful for planning because it can last a long time without going bad. Additionally, all you need to make a cup of ramen is the package of noodles and some boiling water. Ramen noodles might be the best option if you’re hungry but lack the energy to prepare a meal. Just don’t count on it for nutrition.
In addition to learning how to store ramen properly, you can find out why ramen is a great food to prepare by reading on.
How Long Do Ramen Noodles Last?
As I’ve already mentioned, if you store ramen noodles properly, they can last much longer than the stated expiration date. However, the time required to prepare fresh noodles, cup-packed noodle soup, and instant ramen noodles varies significantly.
If you like homemade cooked noodles, you can only store them in the fridge but not in the pantry. Even then, they will keep taste for only a few days. If you have some leftovers, keep them in the freezer for up to two months.
The shelf life of various types of ramen is as follows: pantry, refrigerator, freezer, instant, eight months, three months, up to one year, fresh, up to the label date, ten days, up to two months, cup, three months, three months, up to four months, cooked months, five days to seven days, up to two months.
On the other hand, ramen noodle packs and cups can be kept in a refrigerator and pantry. Ramen cups shouldn’t be kept in storage for longer than six months, but noodle packs can be kept in good condition for up to eight months after the date on the label.
How Long Do Ramen Noodles Last
Once again, let’s start with instant dry noodles. They usually have a shelf life of a few years. These noodles have a best-by date on the label, but because they contain some preservatives, they can easily be kept for months after that date.
Wheat noodles that resemble pasta also have a date printed on the label. However, because this product isn’t as heavily processed as instant noodles, it typically has a shelf life of one to one and a half years. And while the noodles will undoubtedly remain of high quality for a few months after that time, they deteriorate over time and won’t last indefinitely.
Fresh noodles have definitely the shortest shelf life. They usually keep for about 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge. If you need to store them for longer, freezing is the way to go.
In case you were wondering, instant and wheat noodles can also be frozen, but since they have a long shelf life, there is typically no benefit to doing so.
| Pantry | Fridge |
|---|---|
| Instant ramen noodles | Best-by + 1 year |
| Wheat ramen noodes | Best-by + 3 – 6 months |
| Fresh ramen noodles | 2 – 3 weeks |
Please note the periods above are estimates only.
How Do You Store Ramen?
The type of ramen noodles you have and whether they have been cooked affect how you should store them.
The most popular variety of ramen noodles, dried, should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark environment. Pantries work the best for this, as do cupboards. It’s also possible to store this type in the freezer, where you won’t have to worry about bugs getting into it, but doing so isn’t necessary to extend the shelf life of your ramen. Avoid placing it near anything that has a strong smell because it might affect how the noodles taste.
Cup Ramen: Because cup ramen is comparable to dried ramen, storing it in a pantry or cupboard shouldn’t be a problem.
If you intend to consume cooked ramen later, it should be kept in the refrigerator.
Fresh ramen: Because it hasn’t been dried, fresh ramen is best kept in the fridge or freezer for extended periods of time.
For long-term storage, ramen noodles, particularly fresh or cooked ramen, can be frozen. You can also freeze dried ramen noodles.
FAQ
Can I store ramen noodles long term?
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.
How long do ramen noodles last in fridge?
They typically last in the fridge for two to three weeks. You should freeze them if you need to keep them for a longer period of time.
How do they preserve ramen noodles?
Before heat treatment, both fried and non-fried noodles are steam-cooked by steam to reduce moisture in the noodles and stop bacteria from growing, allowing instant noodles to be kept for 5 to 6 months.
Can you refrigerate and reheat ramen?
Yes, you can reheat ramen just like any other meal. But make sure your ramen is kept in a premium airtight container and kept properly in the refrigerator.
