Office workers with a very short lunch break
If you have a microwave but not enough time to cook, a noodle meal in a pouch with reheating instructions could be a good option. For example, Auchan says to heat the Bjorg pouch for 2 minutes at 700 W.
Who are these formats suitable for?
Office workers who like to put their lunch together
If you have access to boiling water or prepare your lunch before you leave home, quick-cooking noodles let you choose your own accompaniments. The Suzi Wan and Jom Bao products described by Auchan require different preparation methods, so check the instructions on the pack you choose.
Anyone keeping an eye on ingredients and allergens
Check the grain used, eggs, sauces and any ‘may contain’ statements on each pack. Recipes described by Auchan may contain wheat, eggs, soya or sesame, among other ingredients; Carrefour lists a Racines Bio product made from 100% rice.
What should you check before buying?
For lunch at the office, start with the facilities available during your break, then decide between a ready-made meal and noodles you can serve with your own accompaniments. Finally, check the ingredients in the product and anything you plan to add.
Organic noodle meal in a pouch to heat up
Choose this if: you have a microwave and want to avoid cooking anything separately. The Bjorg meal featured by Auchan combines pasta, lentils and vegetables, and takes 2 minutes to heat at 700 W.
Bear in mind: the recipe and allergens apply to the whole meal, and the reheating instructions must suit the facilities you have.
Quick-cooking organic noodles
Choose these if: you can use boiling water or a kitchenette, or prepare your lunch in advance. Auchan says to leave the Suzi Wan egg noodles in boiling water for 3 minutes, while the Jom Bao noodles need 3 to 4 minutes in a wok.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a suitable container or heat source, as well as any accompaniments you’d like to add.
Plain organic rice noodles
Choose these if: you want a rice-based option so you can make the rest of your lunch yourself. Carrefour says the Racines Bio noodles listed on its product page are made from 100% rice.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to choose your own sauce and accompaniments. If you need to avoid gluten or an allergen, check their ingredients too.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing lunch during your break | The instructions and whether you have access to a microwave, boiling water or another heat source. | When my break is short, I want to be able to prepare lunch with the facilities available, without any unexpected cooking. Around 40% of consumers may put ease of preparation first. |
| A meal you can put together yourself | Whether seasoning is included, and whether you’ll need to bring a container or accompaniments. | If I prepare my lunch in advance, I prefer to choose my own sauce and what to serve with the noodles. This flexibility may be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The grain used, the ingredients list, and any allergen or ‘may contain’ statements on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I check the recipe before choosing the quickest format. For around 30% of consumers, this suitability may come first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming ‘organic’ means ‘gluten-free’ or ‘allergen-free’
Organic production methods don’t, by themselves, tell you what a product contains. The Suzi Wan egg noodles featured by Auchan contain wheat and eggs; other recipes list soya, sesame or possible traces of mustard.
Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging of the product you’re buying.
-
Choosing a format without checking how to prepare it
The Bjorg pouch described by Auchan is heated in the microwave, while the Suzi Wan noodles need boiling water and the Jom Bao noodles need to be cooked in a wok, according to the instructions cited.
Make sure the instructions match the facilities you’ll actually have during your break, or prepare your lunch before you leave home.
-
Assuming an online product listing means it’s in stock
A product listing doesn’t guarantee that the item will be available in your shop or collection point.
Check availability when planning your lunches, especially if your recipe depends on a specific product.
Brands to know, by format
Bjorg
An organic noodle meal in a pouch, featured by Auchan as a microwaveable option.
- The 250 g pouch combines pasta, lentils and vegetables; Auchan says to heat it for 2 minutes at 700 W.
- This recipe contains wheat, egg, soya and sesame, among other ingredients, and may contain traces of mustard.
Suzi Wan
Organic egg noodles to prepare with boiling water, according to the product described by Auchan.
- Auchan says the 250 g pack takes 3 minutes to prepare and makes three portions.
- This product contains wheat and egg and may contain soya.
Jom Bao
Organic wok noodles to use as the base for a meal you put together yourself.
- The Auchan product listing gives a wok cooking time of 3 to 4 minutes.
- You’ll need a heat source to prepare these; the listing says they may contain traces of mustard, eggs and soya.
Racines Bio
Plain organic rice noodles for making your own meal.
- Carrefour says this product is made from 100% rice and describes it as naturally gluten-free.
- You’ll need to choose your own sauces and accompaniments, and check their ingredients separately if you need to avoid anything in particular.
Build your lunch with organic noodles from Joybuy
These organic udon noodles are for anyone who wants to put their own lunch together and can prepare the noodles before their break, or check whether they can be prepared at the office.
Image unavailable
Hakubaku Organic Udon Noodles 270 g
Worth considering if you want to put your own lunch together and can prepare the noodles when you need them or before you leave home.
270 g pack. This product contains wheat and gluten. Check the cooking instructions on the pack and make sure you have the necessary facilities before choosing this format for the office.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether a pack of noodles is organic?
Look for organic and certification information on the packaging of the pack you’ve chosen. The French National Institute of Origin and Quality explains that the French AB logo is optional, so its absence alone isn’t enough to tell you whether a product is organic.
Are organic noodles always gluten-free?
No. The organic Suzi Wan egg noodles described by Auchan contain wheat. Carrefour describes a Racines Bio product made from 100% rice as naturally gluten-free; also check the label on the pack you buy and the ingredients in any sauces you add.
What should I choose if I only have a microwave at the office?
Choose a meal whose packaging explicitly says it can be reheated in a microwave. Auchan says to heat the Bjorg pouch for 2 minutes at 700 W. Follow the instructions on the pack and take care when handling the hot pouch.
Which noodles should I choose if I prepare lunch the night before?
Quick-cooking noodles or plain rice noodles can make a good base for a meal prepared in advance. Check how to cook them, then choose your sauce and accompaniments separately.