People entertaining on a budget
If the noodles are for several guests, check how many people the dish serves and compare the price per kilo of similar products, rather than looking only at the price shown on each pack.
Who is this choice for?
Smaller groups looking to avoid leftovers
A smaller frozen portion may be easier to measure out and reheat, although it won’t meet the same needs as a large dish for sharing.
Guests with allergies to consider
Check the label for the recipe you’ve chosen before buying and serving it. The Carrefour and Auchan product listings consulted declare wheat and soya, among other ingredients; other ingredients and possible traces vary by product.
What should you look for?
First decide how much noodle you plan to serve and how you’ll prepare it near the barbecue. Then check the recipe and storage instructions for the product you choose.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity to share | Net weight, stated number of portions and price per kilo of comparable dishes. | If I’m serving noodles to everyone, I want to plan enough portions without having to buy lots of packs. Around 36% of consumers put quantity at the heart of their choice. |
| Preparation | Reheating method and time for the product you’ve chosen, and the equipment available on site. | When the barbecue is already taking care of the cooking, I want a side that needs little preparation at serving time. Ease of preparation comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging for the exact recipe. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to be able to check the recipe before offering it to them. For around 29% of consumers, ingredient suitability is the main concern. |
| Storage | Transport in an insulated bag and the storage instructions on the packaging. | If the meal is taking place a long way from the freezer, I need to plan the journey and how the food will be stored before cooking. Keeping food cold is the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing only the pack size or price
A small pack and a dish for sharing don’t provide the same amount of noodles. A single-serve dehydrated noodle bowl also isn’t directly comparable to a prepared frozen dish.
When planning your side dish, compare the net weight, stated number of portions and price per kilo of products in the same category.
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Putting the noodles straight on the grill
Preparation methods depend on the dish. Auchan, for example, recommends pan-frying its 900 g Marie noodles. For a charcoal barbecue, Anses recommends cooking food over the heat from the embers, without letting it come into direct contact with the flames.
Follow the instructions for your chosen dish and make sure you have the right container or appliance for reheating it.
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Overlooking allergens in a side dish
The Carrefour Sensation and Marie frozen recipes mentioned here declare wheat and soya; other allergens or possible traces depend on the product.
Read the label on the pack you buy and keep it handy when serving.
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Leaving a frozen dish out before cooking
Transporting and leaving food outside the freezer makes it harder to keep cold. Anses recommends buying frozen products at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag.
Plan how you’ll store them until preparation, and follow the packaging instructions for defrosting and reheating.
Brands to compare across different formats
Tables du Monde
E.Leclerc offers a 900 g frozen chicken noodle dish under this brand, which could work well as a side to share.
- The 900 g pack makes it easier to plan one dish for everyone rather than several individual portions.
- The listed recipe contains wheat, soya and sesame, so check that it’s suitable for your guests.
Carrefour Sensation
The range includes 300 g packs of frozen stir-fried beef and onion noodles.
- The smaller pack is useful when you need a more limited quantity.
- This recipe declares wheat, soya and sesame, as well as possible traces of other allergens. Check the packaging before serving.
Marie
Auchan offers a 900 g box of frozen Chinese-style noodles with chicken and vegetables, stated to serve four.
- For this product, the Auchan listing recommends 12 minutes of pan-frying.
- The recipe declares wheat, soya and fish, with other possible traces depending on the label.
Asia Green Garden
ALDI offers Chinese-style noodles in an 800 g pack under this brand, among other products.
- The 800 g pack may be worth considering if you’re looking for a quantity to share.
- Check the recipe, allergens and storage instructions for this product before comparing it with a frozen dish that’s ready to reheat.
Joybuy products
Products related to this topic will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can you reheat frozen noodles directly on the barbecue grill?
Instead, follow the preparation method given for your chosen dish. The Auchan listing for 900 g Marie noodles recommends pan-frying. If you’re cooking on a charcoal barbecue, avoid direct contact with the flames, in line with Anses advice.
How should you transport frozen noodles to a summer barbecue?
Buy them at the end of your shop and carry them in an insulated bag, keeping the journey as short as possible, as Anses recommends. Store and prepare them according to the pack instructions, and don’t refreeze a product once it has defrosted.
Are frozen chicken or beef noodles suitable for someone with a soya or wheat allergy?
Don’t assume they are: the Carrefour Sensation and Marie recipes mentioned here declare wheat and soya. Check the ingredients list and any trace warnings on the packaging of the product you plan to serve.
Can a pot of instant noodles replace a frozen dish for sharing?
Not necessarily. The 67 g dehydrated noodle pot offered by ALDI is an individual portion, while the 900 g Tables du Monde frozen dish is intended for sharing. Choose according to the number of portions you need and the preparation method available, without treating these two product categories as the same.