Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, I have always prepared a "disaster backpack" for emergencies. Inside is a flashlight, warm clothing, and, of course, emergency rations.

Quick to eat and nutritious.
Quick to eat and nutritious.

Until now, emergency rations could be stored for a long period of time, but were not expected to be very tasty. However, in times of disaster, I think it is a great relief to eat something tasty. The power of food is great, isn't it?

So this time, we would like to introduce some "delicious emergency foods" found by the En-En-Eating editorial staff. We hope you will find them useful in your disaster prevention measures.

No need for water or heat! Bon Curry

In the event of a major disaster, it is said to take approximately 72 hours for lifelines such as water, gas, and electricity to be restored. Otsuka Foods' "Rice 72H + Bon Curry 72H Set" provides support during that 72 hours.

Flat surface makes it easy to fit in a backpack
Flat surface makes it easy to fit in a backpack

This product is a set of rice and curry roux that can be eaten without adding water or heat. The shelf life is 3 years after manufacture if stored at room temperature. It comes with a spoon and hand towel, and can be eaten straight from the package, so there is no need to prepare a plate or other utensils.

Here's what's inside
Here's what's inside

Includes hand towel and spoon. Gentle consideration
Includes hand towel and spoon. Gentle consideration

To eat, first open the seal of the rice pouch and gently loosen the rice inside with a spoon. Pour the roux directly over it, and voila!

Lightly loosen rice with a spoon.
Lightly loosen rice with a spoon.

Put the roux in the pouch as it is.
Put the roux in the pouch as it is.

Ready in a minute! You can eat it as is.
Ready in a minute! You can eat it as is.

The rice is slightly porridge-like so that it does not need to be cooked with water, but the rice is still chewy. The rich, medium-spicy roux is filled with bite-sized chunks of potatoes, carrots, and meat, so good you'll wonder if it's really an emergency ration!

And of course, it's just as good warmed up!
And of course, it's just as good warmed up!

Each pack contains enough for one person, and the estimated price is around 550 yen. Currently, they are only available by phone inquiry (as of April 4, 2014).

Akimoto's Delicious Stockpile Meals."

One of the most popular "tasty stockpile foods" is Pan Akimoto's soft bread in cans, which can be purchased online for 430 yen per can.

I heard it was loaded onto a space shuttle.
I heard it was loaded onto a space shuttle.

There are three flavors: strawberry, orange, and raisin. All have a shelf life of 37 months (about 3 years) from the date of manufacture.

When you open the can, a mellow bread aroma overflows from within. Pick up the wrapper and pull it out to reveal a cylindrical loaf of bread!

Pull the wrapping paper out.
Pull the wrapping paper out.

When I tried it, I was surprised at the fluffy texture that would make me believe it even if someone said, "This was baked today! Each one has a distinct fruit flavor.

Fluffy like freshly baked!
Fluffy like freshly baked!

Among them, my favorite is the orange. It was fresh, sweet and sour, as if marmalade had been kneaded into the bread, and I could not believe that it was canned bread.

Orange in the back, raisins in the front
Orange in the back, raisins in the front

By the way, there are no preservatives in this. The bread is baked in the can and the lid is closed immediately, so it can be stored for up to three years while maintaining its freshly baked softness.

The can also includes instructions on how to use the Disaster Message Dial.
The can also includes instructions on how to use the Disaster Message Dial.

In addition to the above, Nissin Foods and Meisei Foods have extended the shelf life of their cup noodles by one to two months, making it easier to store them for a long time for stockpiling. It may be a good idea to prepare a combination of several kinds of these products.