Emergency Ration Cup NoodlesThe Cup O’ Noodles that “saved your life” in college may now actually save your life in an emergency situation.

Reported to be ready in three minutes, but last for three years, these emergency ration ramen noodles were cooked up in the test kitchens of the Cup Noodle Museum in Kanagawa prefecture and the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka. Two types of emergency ration instant ramen are available: “Chiken Ramen” and “Cup Noodles.” Each canister of ramen has a shelf life of three years and will be available for a limited time from Nissin Foods.

After test sales of a reported 10,000 canisters of long-lasting Chicken Ramen and Cup Noodles, the emergency rations will now go on sale to the general public. Inside each metal tin is a packet of noodles, soup mix, a paper cup, and a foldable fork for two people, as well as a small packet of desiccant to prevent moisture buildup. Thanks to an airtight canister, the shelf-life of the ramen has been extended to three years. Who knew that fried noodles packed with heaps of sodium crammed into a Styrofoam cup had an expiration date to begin with? The normal Cup Noodles apparently only last for six months, meaning the shelf life of the emergency ration Cup Noodles has been extended by 2.5 years.

You can even preorder your very own emergency ration Chiken Ramen or Cup Noodles over at Nissin’s “e-noodle” shop. A special set of two canisters of Chicken Ramen and two canisters of Cup Noodles sells for 3,500 yen (US $37.50) and is limited to just 600 sets. Emergency ration ramen is also available for purchase at the Instant Ramen Museum or Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum starting April 1, but be aware: only single cans of ramen can be purchased for 780 yen (US $8.36) and sales are limited to one per customer.

Thanks to these new canisters of instant ramen, doomsday preparers and cautious homeowners alike can now add a little variety to their stockpile of emergency rations. Plus, when the worst happens, you can huddle around a Cup O’ Noodles and pretend like you’re back in college. Most college dorms resemble a cramped doomsday bunker, anyway.

PS – Cup Noodles is called “Cup Nudeln” in Germany. The more you know.

Source: IT Media