Best Instant Noodles in India: A Taste Test
When we walked into the grocery store to stock up on instant noodles for this taste test, we didn’t expect it to become a full-blown culinary adventure. Instant noodles, once a survival food for students and solo-livers, have evolved into a dynamic, flavorful, and fiercely competitive category in India. We picked a variety of popular and new brands, cooked each one to exact instructions, and sat down to evaluate them based on taste, texture, aroma, spice balance, packaging, and overall satisfaction.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of our experience trying some of the best instant noodles you can find on Indian shelves.
🍜 1. Maggi 2-Minute Masala Noodles
Brand: Nestlé
Price: ₹14 for 70g
Rating: ★★★★★
We started with the OG – the one that wrote the book on Indian instant noodles. Maggi 2-Minute Masala didn’t disappoint. We boiled it with the full masala sachet, stirred it till it got slightly thick and creamy, and served it piping hot. The familiar aroma took us straight back to childhood.
The flavor felt bold but comforting, with a perfect balance of spice and masala. The noodles cooked evenly and had that soft-yet-chewy texture we all crave. We didn’t need to add anything else — it stood strong on its own. No other noodle matched its nostalgic appeal and consistency.
🌶 2. Yippee! Noodles Magic Masala
Brand: Sunfeast
Price: ₹15 for 65g
Rating: ★★★★☆
Yippee! noodles impressed us with their length and non-sticky texture. The circular noodle block cooked beautifully without clumping up, which made us give a point for design innovation. The Magic Masala flavor leaned slightly sweet at first, then gave us a slow-building spice punch.
Though not as masaledar as Maggi, the flavor had a layered depth. We noticed hints of onion, garlic, and black pepper. For people who want their noodles slightly less salty and more aromatic, Yippee! delivers a solid experience. We did feel tempted to throw in chopped vegetables next time.
🔥 3. Top Ramen Curry Smoodles
Brand: Nissin
Price: ₹15 for 70g
Rating: ★★★★☆
Top Ramen took us by surprise. It used to fly under the radar, but their “Curry Smoodles” version caught our attention. The flat noodles cooked faster than the rest, and we loved the slightly buttery mouthfeel. The spice hit harder than expected, with strong curry powder notes and a tinge of turmeric.
The masala didn’t overpower, and we liked the saucy consistency it created. The packaging claimed “No Maida,” and the taste felt slightly healthier — less oily, more grainy. We agreed it would taste amazing with a poached egg on top.
🌾 4. Patanjali Atta Noodles Masala
Brand: Patanjali
Price: ₹15 for 60g
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
With all the buzz about healthier noodles, we threw Patanjali’s atta-based option into the mix. It looked promising with “no maida” written across the pack. But taste-wise, it let us down. The noodles cooked unevenly — some strands turned mushy while others stayed stiff.
The masala lacked excitement. It had a wheat-y, earthy aroma and tasted like boiled vegetables without seasoning. We appreciated the health angle but found it boring on the flavor front. You might enjoy it more if you stir-fry it with real vegetables and sauces. On its own, it didn’t win us over.
🧄 5. Ching’s Secret Schezwan Noodles
Brand: Capital Foods
Price: ₹18 for 60g
Rating: ★★★★☆
Ching’s Schezwan variant brought serious heat to the party. One whiff of the boiling masala told us we were in for a fiery ride. The noodles cooked perfectly — springy, smooth, and rich in color. When we took the first bite, the chilli oil hit our tastebuds instantly.
The schezwan flavor carried notes of garlic, soy sauce, and red chili paste. It wasn’t for the faint-hearted. We had to reach for water after three spoons, but we couldn’t stop eating. Fans of Indo-Chinese flavors will love this. Pair it with stir-fried veggies or tofu, and you have a mini meal.
🌱 6. Slurrp Farm Millet Noodles (Tangy Tomato)
Brand: Slurrp Farm
Price: ₹30 for 70g
Rating: ★★★☆☆
We added a healthy twist to the test with Slurrp Farm’s millet noodles. These noodles boasted ragi, jowar, and foxtail millet as core ingredients. The tangy tomato masala smelled pleasant and tangy. We expected a ketchup-like flavor, but it felt more like Italian pasta in disguise.
The noodles felt coarser and grainier due to the millet. That texture might turn off some, but we appreciated the nutrient boost. It tasted better when cooled slightly. We wouldn’t call it comfort food, but it’s a decent guilt-free option.
🌶 7. Knorr Soupy Noodles (Mast Masala)
Brand: Knorr
Price: ₹20 for 75g
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Knorr’s “soupy noodles” created a thick broth around the noodles, almost like ramen. The masala had a sweet-spicy profile with a strong onion and tomato base. The texture felt unique — somewhere between a snack and a full meal.
We liked the idea more than the execution. The masala clumped slightly if not stirred continuously. Still, it offered a change from dry noodles. We’d recommend it for rainy days when you’re craving soup with some substance.
🥚 Our Top Picks
After tasting and evaluating all seven contenders, we narrowed down our favorites:
- Best Overall: Maggi 2-Minute Masala — nothing beats its iconic taste and balance.
- Best for Spice Lovers: Ching’s Secret Schezwan — intense, flavorful, and addictive.
- Best Texture: Yippee! Magic Masala — long, non-sticky noodles with great bite.
- Best Health Option: Slurrp Farm Millet Noodles — surprisingly satisfying for a health-first product.
🍽 Final Thoughts
We went into this taste test expecting clear winners and losers, but several brands stepped up their game. Maggi remains the sentimental and flavorful king, but options like Ching’s and Yippee! offer variety and punch. Patanjali and Slurrp aim for the health-conscious, though they sacrifice some flavor. Knorr tries something different with its soup-style noodles, giving more body to the broth experience.
Our advice? Mix it up. Keep a few spicy ones like Ching’s for cheat days, a classic like Maggi for lazy evenings, and something clean like Slurrp for guilt-free snacking.
Should we try instant noodle recipes next time? We’d be more than happy to turn this into a full-on cooking challenge.
