Who are these options for?

People equipped to transport frozen food

You’re considering frozen noodles for a picnic in the park and can keep them cold until it’s time to prepare them. Check the storage requirements before choosing this option.

People preparing a meal to share

You’ll need to allow for enough noodles for everyone. A small pack and a family-sized pack serve different needs, and dried noodles need to be prepared in advance.

People who pay attention to ingredients

Check the ingredients in the product you buy. The products mentioned contain wheat, while some prepared meals also list soya, sesame or possible traces of other allergens.

What should you check?

To decide between frozen and dried noodles, start by considering how you can prepare and store them for your picnic, then choose a pack size to suit the number of people you’re catering for.

Criteria What to check Who is this for?
Quantity to serve Compare the net weight with the number of portions you plan to prepare. A frozen meal and dried noodles that need cooking can’t be served in the same way straight from the pack. If I’m preparing a meal for several people, I want to make sure there’s enough for everyone without choosing a pack based on its size alone; around 40% of consumers prioritise getting the right quantity.
Storage For frozen products, check the temperature shown on the packaging and plan how to keep them cold until you prepare them. If you cook the noodles before leaving, also check the storage instructions for the prepared dish. During the journey and while we’re at the park, I need to be able to store the meal safely; keeping it cold is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Ingredients Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy, including any traces listed. Ingredients can vary between products. When I’m sharing a meal, I need to know which ingredients will suit everyone; around 20% of consumers put ingredients ahead of other criteria.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a pack without planning the portions

    A 300 g pack, a 900 g meal and 1 kg of dried noodles are different quantities and need different preparation. The weight on the pack alone doesn’t tell you how much food you’ll be serving.

    Estimate how much you’ll need for your guests and factor in cooking or reheating before choosing a pack size.

  • Choosing frozen food without a way to keep it cold

    The DGCCRF states that a rise in temperature speeds up microbial growth. Carrefour SENSATION and CHIZURU frozen products specify storage temperatures that must be followed.

    Before buying, check the pack instructions and make sure you can keep the product cold until you prepare it. Do not refreeze a thawed product if the packaging says not to.

  • Assuming all noodles have the same ingredients

    The AUCHAN dried noodles mentioned are made with durum wheat semolina; the Carrefour SENSATION frozen beef and onion noodle dish lists wheat, soya and sesame among its ingredients.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you buy rather than relying on the word ‘noodles’ alone.

Brands and ranges to know

CARREFOUR SENSATION

Carrefour offers frozen beef and onion stir-fried noodles in a 300 g pack.

  • This smaller pack may suit a smaller portion, provided you can keep the product cold.
  • The product instructions specify storage at −18 °C. It contains wheat, soya and sesame, and lists possible traces of other allergens.

TABLES DU MONDE

The range sold by E.Leclerc includes frozen chicken noodles in a 900 g pack, a good option to consider when sharing a meal with several people.

  • The 900 g pack gives you more to serve than a small pack.
  • This product contains wheat and soya. Check availability with your local store.

CHIZURU

CHIZURU offers pre-cooked frozen udon noodles in a 250 g pack, ready to be reheated.

  • The 250 g pack is a handy option for a smaller portion.
  • This product contains wheat, must be stored below −18 °C and must not be refrozen after thawing.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take frozen noodles to the park without a cool box?

Don’t choose frozen noodles if you can’t keep them at the required temperature while travelling. Use a suitable cool box or insulated bag and follow the temperature on the packaging. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that a rise in temperature speeds up microbial growth.

Can you refreeze noodles that have thawed during the journey?

Not the Carrefour SENSATION and CHIZURU frozen products mentioned here: their instructions say not to refreeze them after thawing. Check the instructions on the pack you buy before preparing your picnic.

How do I choose between a small pack and a family-sized one?

Start with the number of people you’re catering for and how you plan to prepare the noodles, rather than looking at the weight alone. The examples mentioned include frozen meals weighing 300 g and 900 g, while the 1 kg packs of dried noodles need to be cooked before you leave.

What should I check if someone at the picnic avoids wheat?

Read the ingredients and allergen information for the product you actually buy. The AUCHAN dried noodles mentioned are made with durum wheat semolina, and the Carrefour SENSATION and CHIZURU frozen products also list wheat. Check the packaging for any possible traces, too.