We'll admit we have a guilty pleasure: watching obscure MRE taste-tests on YouTube. Now, before you wonder why we're not doing something more productive with our lives, hear us out. Every country has its own approach to survival food, as well as its own customs and preferred recipes.

how-to-build-a-six-month-food-supply-mres

American MREs attempt to appeal to American tastes. Individuals from other countries might find the flavors strange.

All of the same nutrient content must be provided—protein, carbohydrates, fat, sugar, vitamins, and so on—but the means by which this is accomplished varies greatly. One country might provide carbs via pasta or bread, while the next might rely on rice or potatoes. This makes it interesting to compare MREs (or Meals Ready to Eat) from various countries around the world, especially because some of these MREs may seem exotic or disgusting, as they differ greatly from what we're used to in the USA.

Numerous YouTubers have posted MRE taste tests, but we recently found ourselves watching videos from Kiwi Dude, a New Zealand resident who tests MREs from other countries. Since his channel offers so much variety, we figured we'd ask YOU to check out three of the MREs he sampled, and tell us which one you'd rather eat in a survival scenario.

MRE #1: China

Foreign MRE China 1

First off is the Chinese military MRE, produced in 2014. According to Kiwi Dude, it contains the following items (clockwise from top left):

  • Hard tack crackers, scone with raisins
  • Beef egg rolls,
  • Spicy pickled vegetables
  • Pork chow mein with fried mushrooms and sauce
  • Peaches in sugar syrup
  • (Outside frame) Tea and two powdered drink mixes

Watch the unboxing in the video below, or skip to the 24:00 mark for the actual taste-testing portion.

MRE #2: Ukraine

Foreign MRE Ukraine 2

Next up is a Ukrainian military MRE, also produced in 2014. According to the video below, it contains (clockwise from top left):

  • Hard tack crackers
  • (Not pictured) Honey spread
  • Liver pate spread
  • Coffee and tea
  • Canned beef
  • Buckwheat porridge with beef

Watch the full video below, or skip to the 22:00 mark to watch the taste-test.

MRE #3: Chile

Foreign MRE Chile 3

Finally, Kiwi Dude tests a Chilean army foreign MRE. This one contains (clockwise from top left):

  • Wheat snack bread
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Roasted and salted peanuts
  • Orange drink mix and coffee (not pictured)
  • Beef stew
  • Rice with chicken
  • Rice pudding

Here's the unboxing video for the Chilean MRE. Skip to the 27:30 mark for the taste-test portion.

Now that you've seen all three foreign MRE tests, which one of these meals would you rather end up with in a survival scenario? Tell us in the poll below.


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