Instant noodles: a UK shopper’s guide to Asian styles
Instant noodles are the ultimate kitchen shortcut — cheap, cheerful, and ready in three minutes flat when you can’t be bothered to cook. But with so many packs on the shelves, it’s easy to stick to the same old flavour instead of exploring the wildly different styles from across Asia.
What it is
Instant noodles are pre-cooked, dried wheat noodles sold with a flavoured soup base (and sometimes an oil sachet), designed to be rehydrated in boiling water in just a few minutes. Most are made from wheat flour, palm oil, salt and seasoning blends, with regional variations shaping the noodle texture and broth profile. They sit as a beloved everyday staple across East and Southeast Asian cuisines, equally at home as a quick snack, a lazy dinner or a student cupboard essential.
Where it comes from
Instant noodles were invented in Japan in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, founder of Nissin, as a post-war affordable food solution that quickly spread across the globe. Each region put its own spin on the formula: Japanese styles like Demae Ramen lean into rich, umami-forward broths with springy noodles, while Vietnamese varieties such as Hao Hao are known for lighter, more aromatic broths and a thinner, silkier noodle that’s a staple in households across the country.
How to use it
- Keep it classic: boil the noodles for 2–3 minutes, stir in the soup base, and top with a runny soft-boiled egg and a handful of fresh spinach for a quick weeknight meal. Try Nissin Demae Ramen Spicy Flavour Noodlesoup when you want a gentle chilli kick.
- Upgrade a pack into a full meal: toss in sliced cooked chicken, mushrooms and a splash of sesame oil. Acecook Hao Hao Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles have a light, savoury broth that pairs perfectly with fresh herbs like Thai basil.
- Stock up for the whole household (or busy months) with the Acecook Hao Hao Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles 30-pack — ideal for packed lunches, late-night snacks or quick post-work dinners.
- Fry them up: drain cooked noodles and stir-fry with garlic, veg and a dash of soy sauce for a crispy, flavour-packed twist on the usual soup.
Good to know
- Nissin Demae Ramen Spicy Flavour Noodlesoup - 100g: 100g pack, £1.49 at YummAsia. Contains wheat and soy. Store in a cool, dry place.
- Acecook Hao Hao Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles - 74g: 74g single pack, £0.95 at YummAsia. Allergen information not published by the supplier.
- Acecook Hao Hao Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles - 30x75g: 30-pack bulk box, 75g per packet, £16.49 at YummAsia. Allergen information not published by the supplier.