I tried all the supermarket microwave noodles – you’ll never believe which one was my favourite!
NOODLES are a popular cuisine in the UK – and there’s nothing better than noodles you can whip up at home in minutes.
Most of us have a packet of microwave noodles in the cupboard ready for when we want a quick lunch or snack.
But with so many oodles of noodles to choose, which ones taste the best and offer the most value for money?
Our taste test revealed the big brands don’t always pack the biggest punch so you might want to consider going for a supermarket label instead, saving yourself some money in the process.
Writer and mum-of-three Lynsey Hope, 40, from West Malling, Kent, tried some best-sellers and her favourite was not the market leader most of us grab off the shelves without thinking.
Read more taste tests
Here she reveals her favourites:
The Winner: Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles by Sainsbury’s
- 35p, Sainsbury’s
- Calories: 209
- Fat: 9g
- Cooking time: 4 1/2 minutes
Lynsey says: “These noodles looked thinner than the rest but they had a lovely flavour and I found them quite more-ish. The kids devoured them and we’ve bought lots more since.
‘For 35p, these are a winner and better than the branded Super Noodles. The only downside was waiting four and a half minutes for them to cook. My best buy.”
- Flavour: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Appearance: 9/10
- Overall score: 29/30
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Lost the Pot Noodle Roast Chicken Flavour
- 50p, Asda
- Calories: 209
- Fat: 8.5g
- Cooking time: 5 minutes
Lynsey says: “I found these to have the best flavour. The noodles had more seasoning than most of the others and weren’t soggy at all. The colour looked appealing and they smelt really appetising. I would buy again.
‘The only downside is the price as they are 15p more than some of the own brand versions we tried. Swap to Morrisons or Sainsbury’s and you’ll save yourself £7.80 a year if you eat one packet a week, and as food prices rise, that sort of saving adds up.”
- Flavour: 10/10
- Value: 5/10
- Appearance: 9/10
- Overall score: 24/30
Maggi Chicken Flavour Noodles from Aldi
- 30p, Aldi
- Calories: 272
- Fat: 10.4g
- Cooking time: 3 minutes
Lynsey says: “Great value noodles from Maggi and these didn’t disappoint. A lovely texture and the chicken flavour really comes through.
‘There is a slightly salty aftertaste which I liked but might not be for everyone. I love these as a quick lunch snack when busy working from home.”
- Flavour: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
- Appearance: 6/10
- Overall score: 23/30
Morrisons Chicken Flavour Noodles
- 35p, Morrisons
- Calories: 263
- Fat: 11.6g
- Cooking time: 3 minutes
Lynsey says: “Less flavour than some of the others. If I’m honest, I found them a little bland. They contain more calories and are much higher in fat than other brands.
‘The texture was nice though and you can’t complain about the price. The kids still loved them and were excited to see them served up for dinner. Super easy to prepare and ready in just three minutes.”
- Flavour: 4/10
- Value: 8/10
- Appearance: 8/10
- Overall score: 20/30
Naked Japanese Style Chicken Yakisoba Noodles
- £1, Tesco
- Calories: 85
- Fat: 0.45g
- Cooking time: 4 minutes
Lynsey says: “Upmarket noodles now on offer at most supermarkets. The flavour is quite strong and they look very dark and saucy compared to all the others. The packet encourages you to add meat and vegetables to make these more of a meal though you can boil them off and eat as a snack on their own.
‘Whilst the flavour was nice, I didn’t think they were worth the extra cost. You could add meat and vegetables to any of the others to bolster the taste – why pay more? The healthiest on offer though with only 9g fat in the entire packet.”
- Flavour: 7/10
- Value: 3/10
- Appearance: 6/10
- Overall score: 16/30
Super Noodles Chicken Flavour
- 55p, Lidl
- Calories: 219
- Fat: 9.4g
- Cooking time: 4 minutes
Lynsey says: “Once cooked, these had an abnormal chemically colour, which I found off putting. They looked fluorescent. Plenty of flavour though and easy to prepare.
‘I found them a bit soggy so maybe you need to prepare with slightly less water than is recommended. If you are a Super Noodles devotee and nothing else will do, go to Lidl where you can buy them for 55p. Most other supermarkets were selling them for 60p.”
- Flavour: 5/10
- Value: 4/10
- Appearance: 2/10
- Overall score: 11/30
*All calories and fat are per 1/2 packet of noodles.
Noodles aren’t the only thing The Sun has compared.
Lynsey tested own branded tea bags and one was better than PG Tips and Tetley.
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