Festival-goers without access to refrigeration
If you’re carrying your meals to your tent, dried noodles are worth considering before frozen dishes. Check the storage instructions and make sure you can get hot water if they need it for preparation.
Who are these formats suitable for?
Campers with a freezer and cooking facilities
You could consider a frozen noodle dish if you can follow its storage instructions during the journey and your stay, and prepare it as directed once you’re there.
Groups planning several meals
Net weight, the number of sachets and the stated portions can help you work out how much to bring and divide the meals between everyone.
What should you check?
Before choosing a format, check what you’ll be able to store and prepare at the campsite. Then adjust the quantities and ingredients to suit the people you’re buying for.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantities and portions | Compare the net weight, number of sachets and stated portions to plan the meals you’ll need during your stay. | When several people are sharing provisions, I want to know how many meals the pack will make. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise quantity. |
| Storage during your stay | Read the storage instructions on the packaging. For frozen products, check that you can transport and store them at the required temperature. | If I’m staying in a tent without a freezer, I need to be able to store my provisions as directed on the label. Around 29% of consumers would consider the lack of refrigeration their top priority. |
| Preparing food at the campsite | Check the instructions, whether you’ll have access to hot water and the festival’s rules on cooking appliances. | With limited equipment to carry, I’m looking for something I can prepare at the campsite. Around 21% of consumers would put ease of preparation first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for each variety, including the seasoning. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the flavour name alone isn’t enough to make a choice. For around 14% of consumers, whether the recipe is suitable would take priority over other considerations. |
Mistakes to avoid before you go
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Taking a frozen dish without a way to keep it cold
Having a freezer at your destination won’t solve the problem of keeping food cold during the journey. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature speeds up the growth of microbes, so you must be able to follow the stated storage conditions throughout your journey and stay.
Check how you’ll transport, store and cook the product before you buy it. If you can’t meet these requirements, consider dried noodles whose storage instructions suit your stay.
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Counting packs instead of portions
An individual sachet, a multipack and a noodle dish don’t have the same net weight or necessarily provide the same number of portions. Counting only the packs could leave your group with the wrong amount of food.
Check the net weight and stated portions, then compare them with the number of meals you’re planning.
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Relying on the flavour name to check for allergens
The ingredients in noodles and their seasoning vary between products. A ‘vegetable’ or ‘beef’ flavour doesn’t tell you which allergens are present.
Read the label for every variety you buy. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be identified and highlighted on the label.
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Planning to eat instant noodles without hot water
Even a quick meal needs the equipment specified in the instructions. Rules on camping stoves and kettles vary from festival to festival.
Check the product instructions and the organiser’s guidance before deciding what equipment to bring.
Retailers and brands to look at
Carrefour / Carrefour Sensation
Carrefour offers instant noodles as well as a frozen Carrefour Sensation stir-fried noodle dish. These are two formats to consider depending on your storage and cooking options.
- The difference between instant and frozen products makes it easy to check what your stay requires first.
- For instant noodles, check the allergen information for the exact variety; some products indicate that traces may be present.
E.Leclerc / Tables du Monde
Tables du Monde offers multipacks of dried noodles and a product listing for a 900 g frozen chicken noodle dish.
- Multipacks make it easy to compare the number of sachets with the meals planned for your group.
- The frozen dish listing says it isn’t sold on this website. If you’re interested in this format, check with the relevant store or collection service.
Auchan
Auchan stocks instant noodles in individual portions, cups and multipacks.
- These pack formats give you several ways to organise portions and prepare food at the campsite.
- Check that the product you’re looking for is available at your chosen store or through your preferred delivery service.
Lidl
Lidl has stocked instant noodles in individual portions and a range of flavours.
- Individual portions can make it easier to divide up meals.
- Check what’s available at the store where you plan to shop.
ALDI / Asia Green Garden
ALDI has listed instant noodles under its Asia Green Garden brand.
- This product is worth including when comparing instant noodle formats.
- Check that it’s available at the store you’re planning to visit before relying on it for your stay.
Instant noodles to compare on Joybuy
These sachets and cups are for meals when you have access to hot water at the campsite. To choose between them, check the portions you’ll need to bring and the preparation instructions for each product. Also check its storage instructions on the packaging.
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MAMA Instant Noodles Vegetable Flavour, 5 × 60 g
A pack of five sachets to consider if you’re planning several meals and have access to hot water. Check the preparation instructions, storage conditions and allergen information for the variety you buy.
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MAMA Instant Noodle Chicken, box of 30 × 55 g
This box of 30 sachets could suit a group planning several meals. Make sure you’ll have access to hot water and check the storage instructions and allergen information on the packaging.
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Indomie Instant Noodle Special Chicken (EU), 5 × 75 g
These five 75 g sachets are worth considering for several meals when you have access to hot water. Check the instructions and the label on this version before you set off.
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Soba Cup Noodle Yakitori Chicken, 8 × 89 g
This pack of eight cups is worth considering if you prefer to portion out meals in individual containers. You’ll need boiling water. Also check the storage instructions and ingredients on the packaging.
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Vifon Cup Noodle Chicken, 60 g
This individual cup could make a handy meal when you have access to boiling water. Read the preparation instructions and storage conditions before taking it to the campsite.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take frozen noodles to a camping festival?
Yes, but only if you can follow the stated storage instructions during the journey and at the campsite, then cook the product using the required equipment. The DGCCRF warns that a rise in temperature speeds up the growth of microbes. If you can’t keep food cold enough, consider dried noodles that are suitable for your storage arrangements.
How do you plan noodles for several people?
Compare the net weight and stated number of portions, then count how many meals you want to plan. An individual sachet, a multipack and a noodle dish don’t necessarily provide the same number of meals.
What equipment do you need to prepare instant noodles?
Follow the instructions for the product you choose: the instant noodles covered here need hot water. Check with the organiser whether you’re allowed to use your chosen way of heating it, and whether you need to bring a container.
How do you check for allergens before you go?
Read the label for every product and flavour, rather than guessing from the name. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be listed and highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods.