Best instant noodles

Brazo · 21 Sep 2025 at 09:17

No longer is the choice between a pot noodle and a super noodle. Supermarkets and shops nowadays seem to have endless options of bizarre and wonderful looking noodles.

I’ve tried quite a few and they’ve been ok but none have really impressed. Can anyone recommend a decent brand?

BUDFORCE · 21 Sep 2025 at 09:25

Pot noodles are **** these days anyway, they've taken all the fun ingredients out.

Mr Badger · 21 Sep 2025 at 09:36

Probably some fiery and obscure Korean brand.

Out of the more readily available ones give Nissin Soba or maybe Indomie a go.

Bubo · 21 Sep 2025 at 10:56

All I know is they have stopped doing Nong Shim chicken and beef noodles :mad:

They were the best supermarket noodles by far and they have just stopped making them, been over a year now and you can't get them anywhere. Absolute balls. You can only get the extremely spicy flavours now in Nong Shim format, and while they are ok once in a while, the chicken and beef ones were just the job to have as an emergency meal in your drawer at work.

mattyfez · 21 Sep 2025 at 12:10

B&M bargains - nongshim noodles...

Spicy chicken is the best one, IMO.

Korean, close thread.

TheVoice · 21 Sep 2025 at 13:16

I usually get the Koka ones.

pre · 21 Sep 2025 at 18:13

Nongshim like the others suggest.

I also love Mama Creamy Shrimp Tom Yum flavour noodles specifically - which is less spicy hot and a tiny bit of sour - for a nice flavour change. The noodles are not to everyone's taste though but pick up the flavouring nicely.

Brazo · 21 Sep 2025 at 18:50

Thanks I’ll try the Nongshim ones!

Gray2233 · 21 Sep 2025 at 18:51

mattyfez said:
B&M bargains - nongshim noodles...

Spicy chicken is the best one, IMO.

Korean, close thread.

Nongshim spicy are my favourite instant noodles, really nice flavour to them.

Worth bulking them up a bit with a couple of bits and bobs, I liked adding a handful of prawns.

Mr Badger · 21 Sep 2025 at 20:35

Gray2233 said:
Nongshim spicy are my favourite instant noodles, really nice flavour to them.

Worth bulking them up a bit with a couple of bits and bobs, I liked adding a handful of prawns.

Spicy pickled egg for the win!

Gray2233 · 21 Sep 2025 at 20:42

Mr Badger said:
Spicy pickled egg for the win!

Perfection!

I used to add red onion, sliced mushroom, egg, a bit more meat or fish etc.

Tended toward the fish for the "spicy/red" packets because the broth really reminded me of the hot and sour soup I used to love getting from a local Chinese back in my early 20's. Used to pop in regularly after work in my first home/flat and became friendly with the owners family. They always bulked it up a bit with extra prawn and meat etc, gave me freebies outside of that too, so definitely a nostalgia factor but it was legitimately tasty.

tamzzy · 21 Sep 2025 at 20:54

Indomie mi goreng.
Iykyk.

Raymond Lin · 21 Sep 2025 at 21:51

When was Pot Noodle ever been good? I remember trying them when they first launched in the UK...having eaten instant noodles growing up in HK....the pot noodle doesn't compare, never have.

For a start....it's not a noodle, it's the length of a maraoni, it's all chopped up to pieces, you can eat it with a spoon. It's just labeled as noodle but it's not even a noodle. 2nd, the texture is horrible, it's not bouncy, has no bite and just 1 step away from instant mash. Then the taste....urgh.

Horrible stuff.

For noodle, I think the best texture...easiest bought, is Shin Ramyun, I am inclined to like many others flavour wise, like I really like the JAPANESE Katsu version of the Cup Noodle, it is superior to the UK one in every way.

But generally though....most asian ones are better, especially if they are actually imported, rather than made for the UK market.

mattyfez · 21 Sep 2025 at 22:19

British pot noodle just tastes like cardboard and dispair lol!

Brackish · Sunday at 08:22

I like the nissin ones, sesame is the best flavour so far, chuck some roast chicken, Spring onions and and egg on top.
I tried a lost the pot noodle the other week and it was utterly rank.

aVdub · Sunday at 16:03

Pot noodle imo is a very very poor relative of many of the names you now see in supermarkets, that at one time were only available in the Far East or places like Tian Tian.

Nissin Foods being the first*

* Not verified, but one I've been lead to believe as the first for some years.

Raymond Lin · Sunday at 16:24

aVdub said:
Pot noodle imo is a very very poor relative of many of the names you now see in supermarkets, that at one time were only available in the Far East or places like Tian Tian.

Nissin Foods being the first*

* Not verified, but one I've been lead to believe as the first for some years.

I have been to the Cup Noodle Museum...lol Yes, Nissin did it. There is a mock up in the museum of his original workshop where he figured out how to dehydrate them.

This wiki page sums it up well.

My fav one from them is the Curry one.

aVdub · Sunday at 16:47

Raymond Lin said:
I have been to the Cup Noodle Museum...lol Yes, Nissin did it. There is a mock up in the museum of his original workshop where he figured out how to dehydrate them.

This wiki page sums it up well.

My fav one from them is the Curry one.

Very nice and one I would probably visit as well tbh.

It is nice to see many supermarkets in the UK stocking proper noodles and the like now, but much like the 'It aint cod bruv' it'll more than likely take Brits years to accept them.

Raymond Lin · Sunday at 16:52

There isn't really that much to see in the museum, there a video of them showing his life, photos and stuff and the history of of instant noodles in post war Japan. There is that big room (too big to fit in my camera in a single phot), showing all the flavours they made. There is a life size mock up of his workshop with fake smoke coming out of equipment etc.

The absolute best thing is you get a chance to make your own flavour on the top floor, you need to book a time slot though, I had to go back to do it as I turned up in the morning to see the museum but the noodle making slot for me wasn't until like 5pm. You get to pick the ingredients, flavour and they would seal it for you. I made a double meat (chicken and beef), curry flavour. Before this you get to draw and paint the cup. So it's all shrink wrapped with your design on it.

There is also a gift shop and a balcony, I think there is a little cafe too.

Gray2233 · Sunday at 17:54

Raymond Lin said:
There isn't really that much to see in the museum, there a video of them showing his life, photos and stuff and the history of of instant noodles in post war Japan. There is that big room (too big to fit in my camera in a single phot), showing all the flavours they made. There is a life size mock up of his workshop with fake smoke coming out of equipment etc.

The absolute best thing is you get a chance to make your own flavour on the top floor, you need to book a time slot though, I had to go back to do it as I turned up in the morning to see the museum but the noodle making slot for me wasn't until like 5pm. You get to pick the ingredients, flavour and they would seal it for you. I made a double meat (chicken and beef), curry flavour. Before this you get to draw and paint the cup. So it's all shrink wrapped with your design on it.

There is also a gift shop and a balcony, I think there is a little cafe too.

I never thought visiting an instant/cup noodles museum would be on my must-do list for visiting Japan but between you and the website I'm convinced. :cry: