I’ve definitely kept packs of ramen way past their "best by" dates sometimes for a whole year or even longer and they’ve been totally fine as long as I stored them right. The noodles are surprisingly tough, but the seasoning packets? That’s where things can get a bit tricky. If they smell weird or look all clumpy, I just toss them and whip up my own seasoning with some bouillon or spices I have lying around.
For storage, I ditched those cardboard boxes pretty early on. I vacuum seal individual packs and keep them in airtight bins with desiccant packs to keep moisture at bay. That setup has worked well, no dampness, no pesky pests, and it makes it super easy to rotate my stock. I even stash a few in my bug-out bag and camping gear, just to be prepared for anything!
I don’t really think of ramen as my main source of calories, but it’s such a great filler and a fantastic base for turning meals into something special. I’ll toss in freeze-dried veggies, some canned meat, or even a scoop of peanut butter to give it a Thai vibe. It’s so versatile, and in a pinch, it’s like a warm hug in a bowl that keeps you going.
