Types of Healthy Instant Noodles in UK

While it would be great to go to a restaurant and experience authentic and fresh noodles, most of us are just too strapped for time and money.

However, college students and professionals on a tight budget can rejoice as Instant noodles are the perfect solution to this problem. Check out our list of Healthy Instant Noodles in the UK.

Of course, instant noodles are by no mean super healthy.

In fact, it shouldn’t be a substitute for more substantial meals. However, when the times are tough you can add some veggies/meat to instant noodles and make a wholesome meal out of it.

At least it’s better than just surviving off coffee or tea.

While instant noodles are amazing not all taste brilliant. Especially since there are so many brands and varieties from all over the world.

So, after an extensive review, we’ve taken the liberty to compile a list of the Best Instant Noodles UK.

After reviewing 100 Instant Noodles brands based on various factors like flavor, origin, packaging and price, my team and I zeroed in on 14 that really stood out.

These 14 were further put through a series of tests to determine the best. We found that:

The best instant noodles in the UK is Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup. It comes with thick noodles, dehydrated veggies, a delicious broth, high-quality sauces and spices. It also comes with amazing seaweed and roasted sesame seed toppings. Most importantly, this affordable instant noodle brand comes in a bag that can be easily stored.

How we tested these instant noodles: 

My team and I taste tested 25+ instant noodles of different brands with different flavours. We cooked all the instant noodles as per the instructions given in the packet of the instant noodles and didn’t add anything extra. 

The main areas of judgement were flavour profile, noodle texture, broth consistency and flavour. We gave a little extra weightage to instant noodles that had fewer or less preservatives and artificial flavours. 

After the noodle preparation, the experience was also judged on the basis where we considered aroma, combination and presentation, and taste to judge the best instant noodles. 

How to Choose Instant Noodles in the UK?

Although Instant noodles are convenient, not all perfect when it comes to taste. In fact, there are a whole bunch of factors to consider when buying instant noodles in the UK.

Toppings

• Toppings are extremely important when it comes to instant noodles. Not only do they enhance the taste but they also contribute to the nutritional aspect of the dish.

• Toppings can range from dry vegetables and meat to sauces and soups. Some sauces even come in the form of a powder. The really innovative instant noodles will comes with exceptional toppings such as bonito flakes, seaweed or sesame seeds.

Spice and Flavour

• If you’re a true fan of instant noodles, you’d want your noodles to have a blast of flavours. Your noodles should have a decent amount of spice and shouldn’t taste bland. 
• There should be notes of sour punch with sweet bits or spicy notes that make your instant noodles worth eating.

Prep Time

• Although preparing these noodles might be a whole lot faster than other instant foods, it also depends on the type as well. For example, some instant noodles can be prepared in less than 3 minutes.

• However, there are other brands with unique toppings and sauces that might take close to 10 minutes. There are some brands that even require you to cook the noodles separately before adding the toppings and sauces.

Packaging

• The packaging is extremely important when it comes to instant noodles. Instant noodles usually come in either a bag or a cup. A cup is the most convenient type of instant noodles as you can eat right out of it. They also come with various toppings and are usually the best when it comes to flavor.

• Bags on the other hand have a few advantages as well. For example, they are much cheaper and can be stored for a longer duration. You can also add extra ingredients to this kind of instant noodles without compromising over all quality.

Which is the best instant noodle in the UK?

My tena and I taste tested 25+ instant noodles and rated them on the basis of flavour, taste, noodle texture  as well as least preservatives. We found Nissin Demae Ramen to be the best. 

Nissin Demae Ramen is a cheap and authentic Japanese noodle. It’s very easy to prepare and tastes delicious with flavours of sesame oil. You can enhance the flavour by adding more veggies and crack an egg on it. It’s only 86 calories and can be a perfect light snack. It’s available to buy on Amazon.

14 Healthy Instant Noodles in the UK

#1 — Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup

Shin Ramyun is the best selling instant noodles in Korea and its currently dominating the UK market.

This instant noodle brand has it all, chewy thick noodles, a brilliant tasting broth, dehydrated veggies and high-quality sauces and spices.

It’s one of the best Best Instant Noodles UK.

• Like all instant noodles, you have to simply add all the ingredients into a pot of water and boil it. The only difference is that the cooking time is around 6 minutes. The additional ingredients like the spicy sauce, roasted sesame and seaweed add to the amazing flavor of this delicious dish.

• The noodles are also quite thick. At least thicker than most instant noodles out there. I loved experimenting by pairing the noodles with meat and other veggies to make a more wholesome dish. I personally, recommend adding eggs or cheese to combat the extreme spiciness of the noodles.

What’s In It For You?

This Ramyun is definitely the most intense when it comes to flavour. It’s so spicy it sparked the nuclear fire noodles challenge. The heat will make your eyes tear up and lips puff up. Although it is spicy it’s a culinary experience you will never forget. However, give this one a miss if your digestive system can’t handle it.

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#2 — Pot Noodles: Asian Street Style

We’re all familiar with pot noodles, but have you ever tasted the actual Pot Noodles brand?

They have been known for their low fat and low calorie instant noodles that are available in a range of flavours to choose from.

One such phenomenal product is the Asian street Style That Red Curry. This is a staple of Thai cuisine and is found at every street corner or at curry canteens in Thailand.

While this particular product is not that cheap, it’s a great choice for those looking to explore new flavors.

This pot of noodles smells and tastes just like the authentic Thai red curry and it comes with hints of coconut milk, galangal and kaffir lime, overloading your taste buds with every bite.

What’s in it for you?

The Asian Street Style is low in fat and does not contain any artificial colors or preservatives. It’s suitable for vegetarians and each pot only contains 243 calories.

#3 — Seafood Flavour Cup Noodles

Instant noodles were invented by Nissin in the 1950s and since then they have refined the process and created sophisticated flavour combinations that you’d expect to find in a fancy restaurant.

Out of all the various combinations, the Seafood Flavour Cup Noodles is the most popular. It’s one of the Best Instant Noodles UK.

• Everything with this instant noodles stands out. Nissin has done an amazing job with the seafood flavour, the texture of the noodles and the soup. Everything comes together to give you a delicious experience.

• It’s definitely not cheap when compared to other instant noodle brands. However, the taste and the convenience of not having to add other ingredients make this instant noodles worth it. It’s also one of the most convenient products in the market.

What’s In It For You?

Unlike most of the instant noodles out there that offer very limited ingredients, Nissin’s seafood flavoured cup noodles actually come with dehydrated pieces of seafood and veggies. While it’s not the most authentic, it still tastes quite amazing. You literally get pieces of crustaceans.

#4 — Itsu Satay Rice Noodles

Itsu instant noodles are homegrown in the UK and are similar to the upmarket Japanese pot noodles.

It’s a flat rice noodle dish that has around 230 calories per serving and with the miso broth, it tastes wonderful.

These instant noodles are fused with miso broth, herbs and spices to provide you with a unique and blissful taste.

• These rice noodles are gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian. Apart from that, there seems to be no mention about any peanut based additives, so it’s safe to say that it’s probably fine for those with allergies.

• The Itsu instant rice noodles come packed with all the raw ingredients placed separately. You will get the satay, herbs, spices and rice noodles in separate packaging within the container. All you’d have to do is add hot water to the mix and you’re good to go.

What’s In It For You?

Well, these noodles are gluten-free and is low on fat and proteins. They’re delightful to eat and takes hardly 4 minutes to prepare. They’re healthier than most other instant noodles in the market today as they have a total of 229 calories per serving.

#5 — Wicked Kitchen: Spicy Coconut & Rice Noodles

These pot rice noodles from Tesco come in a range of flavors and are more or less a cheap, but wonderful tasting pot of rice noodles that is still cheaper than others on Tesco’s shelves.

The one we’re talking about today is the Wicked Kitchen: Spicy Coconut and Rice noodles.

• The Wicked Kitchen rice noodles come in a fragrant coconut, ginger, lime and chili broth that includes mushrooms and coriander. A single serving of the Wicked Kitchen: Spicy coconut and rice noodles has over 289 calories, is low in protein and fat but has around 60 grams of carbs.

• This instant noodle pot should not be placed in the microwave. Rather, you would have to fill around 320ml of boiling water and cover it with the lid for around 4-5 minutes. Make sure to stir halfway while it’s cooking and once done you can either eat it straight from the container or you can serve it on a bowl.

What’s In It For You?

The Tesco Wicked Kitchen: Spicy Coconut and Rice noodles is a great tasting instant noodle dish that contains Wheat and Soya. The added flavors provide you with a long-lasting taste that will surely leave you spell-bound.

#6 — Demae Ramen Sesame Flavour

The Demae Ramen Sesame Flavoured instant noodles from Nissin is perfect for those looking for a cheap yet authentic Japanese Ramen experience.

You can easily prepare these noodles in three minutes and it serves as an excellent snack or meal at home.

The best part is that you don’t have to travel halfway across town to a Japanese restaurant to eat Ramen.

• Although Demae has tons of other ramen flavours out there, nothing beats the original as it comes with only sesame oil to enhance the flavour. This is a case of “less is more” as you actually get to taste authentic Japanese Ramen.

• Of course, you can always add some meat, veggies and a boiled egg and cook it in a multicooker for a more wholesome experience. It’s ideal for students who need a quick, cheap and satisfying meal.

What’s In It For You?

Not only does this Ramen taste authentic and amazing but it’s also light with only 86 calories. It’s definitely one of the Best Instant Noodles UK.

#7 — Naked Noodle: Egg Noodles Singapore Curry

Naked Noodles have been known for their traditional tasting dishes like the Japanese noodles or even this Singapore style egg curry noodles.

It’s an easy to make pot that requires you to add boiling water to cook the noodles.

• This product uses dried egg noodles, potato starch, garlic powder, spring onions and other herbs and spices that give it a unique Singaporean flavor.
• It’s a high source of protein and does not contain any preservatives or artificial colors. The egg noodles are infused with a Chinese curry sauce that leaves you wanting more.

What’s in it for you?

This top notch curry and noodles blend two different cultures together. It brings unique flavors from Singapore and China with absolutely low fat content. 

#8 — Indomie Mi Goreng Fried Instant Noodles

While the majority of the instant noodles space is dominated by Japanese and Korean cuisines, you do find a few rare gems from the rest of the world.

The Indomie Mi Goreng Fried Instant Noodles are Indonesian instant noodles that offer a unique mouth-watering flavour.

• These Indonesian instant noodles taste great. The Indomie Mi Goreng Fried Instant Noodles come with the most amount of extra seasoning sachets when compared to most instant noodles out in the market. This soupless fried noodle dish is best eaten with a fried eat. Like the original Mi Goreng.

• You get three sauces, special seasoning and fried onion pieces. All these seasonings definitely create a unique flavour which sets these noodles apart from the rest. The chilli sauce is quite spicy. So, if you can’t take that heat you can always limit the quantity or discard it completely.

What’s In It For You?

These instant noodles are quite cheap with just 30 Pence per packet. So if your a Uni student or a software engineer who’s down on luck these noodles will definitely satisfy your cravings.

#9 — Nongshim Neoguri Instant Noodles

Like the popular Shin Ramyun, Neoguri is another popular instant noodles brand by Nongshim. This Korean-Japanese fusion dish has been world-famous since 1982.

Although there have different flavours, we recommend the spicy seafood Ramyun. It’s one of the Best Instant Noodles UK.

• The Nongshim Neoguri Instant Noodles definitely has an addictive taste. It features a spicy seafood broth that’s clear and deep in terms of flavour intensity. You also get chunks of Korean kelp with not only adds to the taste but also improves the nutrition level of this dish.

• The noodles are probably the most unique aspect of this dish. It’s al dente which is rare with respect to instant noodles.

What’s In It For You?

As mentioned earlier the noodles are quite unique. These noodles are actually al dente Udon noodles. Udon noodles in a Korean dish is a rare find. Especially, in a Ramyun dish. The combination of the warm Udon noodles and the spicy broth makes it a perfect and satisfying dish.

#10 — Mama Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum Noodle

These instant noodles are honestly a hit or a miss for most people. Instant noodles purists might not appreciate the thin noodles and not all will appreciate the shrimp flavoured broth.

However, personally, I enjoyed the Mama Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum Noodle. In fact, I went through the bowl in under 2 minutes.

• These instant noodles are Thai flavoured which is quite rare to find since space is dominated by Japanese Cuisine. So, the creamy and spicy Thai flavour was definitely a delicious experience.

• You can easily prepare this instant noodles in 3 minutes. It’s quick and easy and won’t have to worry about cleaning multiple utensils.

What’s In It For You?

Although the Mama Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum Noodle doesn’t come with a lot of extra ingredients it’s heavenly on its own. However, if you do want to add some extra ingredients like eggs, scallions and actual shrimps, go for it.

#11 — Kabuto Noodles Chicken Ramen

Although Kabuto seems like a Japanese Company its made in the UK by a British Brand.

So not only is it local it’s also refined to suit the British Palate but it also happens to be one of the healthier Instant noodles out there in the market.

It’s one of the Best Instant Noodles UK.

• Since it’s made by a British Brand it’s not exactly the Japanese Ramen you’d expect. It contains ingredients like coriander and red pepper that make it more of an Asian-fusion sort of dish. But thankfully Kabuto hasn’t compromised on the taste, so you definitely in for an experience.

• Kabuto uses rice noodles instead of egg noodles like other instant noodle brands. These rice noodles have a softer texture and are perfect for those on a gluten-free diet or for those with Coeliac disease.

• The Kabuto Chicken Ramen containers fresh and low-fat ingredients such as chicken, ginger, chilli, coriander & spring onion. You just need to add hot water and it’ll be ready in 4 minutes.

What’s In It For You?

These Asian inspired ramen is made with natural ingredients without any artificial additives, preservatives or flavour enhancers. This is a healthy alternative to the majority of the instant noodles out there. Especially, since it only 320 kcal per cup.

#12 — Nissin Soba Chilli Noodles

For those of you that don’t enjoy soupy noodles, popular instant noodle manufacturer Nissin has a fantastic alternative – the Nissin Soba Chilli Noodles.

These Yakisoba-style instant noodles not only tastes great it also has a unique preparation method.

• Since these are soba noodles it is made out of wheat flour rather than the regular flour and starch. It’s thicker than other types of noodles and this spicy variant has the best taste.

• This Japanese spicy Yakisoba noodles come in a cup with a separate sauce, veggies, and chicken meat cubes. It takes 3 minutes to prepare and can be eaten directly from the cup after the preparation process.

• Unlike other instant noodles, this one has a unique preparation method. After you add the boiling water, you need to add a draining cap and drain the water once it’s done.

What’s In It For You?

The lack of soup is refreshing. Especially since the majority of the instant noodles have a broth of some kind. This contributes to lower calories (around 219) and thicker/more chewable noodles.

#13 — KOLEE BangBang Noodles Chicken Feel Good Flavour

Ko-lee Bangbang Noodles is one of the very good noodles with a unique flavour of chicken. It’s made with rice bran oil.

It’s one of the best instant noodles in the UK that is very delicious when eaten alone or with cracked eggs or veggies for flavour. 

• The Ko-lee Bangbang noodles have fewer preservatives and are considerably healthier. 
• It comes in a cup and has a fork inside to relish your noodles. 
• The flavour and the quality of the noodles is really worth the price. 

What’s in it for you?

You get 3 flavour sachets with the Ko-lee bang bang noodles that enhance the noodles taste. They have fewer preservatives that don’t let them taste artificial. 

#14 — Batchelors Super Noodles Chicken Flavour

It’s always a good experience having Batchelors noodles as they’re extremely tasty and filling.

This chick flavour super noodles will not disappoint you as it’s one of the best instant noodles and can be a great lunchtime meal or even for snacks. 

• It’s very flavourful and comes in both packets as well as cup containers.
• You can enjoy it soupy as well as dry. 
• These Batchelors noodles have 351 calories so if you’re into fitness, restrict it to once a week. 

What’s in it for you?

These noodles contain celery, milk and wheat and taste really awesome. There are various different flavours like curry, chow mein, beef and a lot more. 

Best Instant Noodles: FAQs

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Joanna Worthington

Joanna is a writer, poet, stand-up comedian and holds two master’s in arts and history. She founded Discount-age with the intention of providing her readers with solutions to everyday household problems. During her free time, Joanna loves cooking but usually ends up ordering in.