Canstar Blue’s first-ever instant noodles review compares Indomie (Mi Goreng), ALDI, Maggi, Suimin, Nongshim, Woolworths, Trident and Coles on taste, texture and consistency, ease of preparation, variety, packaging design, value for money and overall satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Aussies have rated Indomie (Mi Goreng) best in Canstar Blue’s instant noodles ratings, scoring the brand five-star reviews for taste, texture and consistency and overall satisfaction.
A favourite of students the world over, the handy instant noodle can transform any desperate pantry into a space for culinary creations. It’s undeniable that instant noodles are delicious, and it would seem that Aussies agree, with over a third of those surveyed (36%) admitting that instant noodles are their go-to snack, and a similar number (32%) saying they like to use noodles as a base for other dishes like Pad Thai or ramen. There are many different brands of instant noodles available on supermarket shelves, but which is best?
To find out, we asked more than 1,700 shoppers for their feedback on the instant noodle brands they’ve bought and consumed within the last six months. Respondents scored brands on taste, value for money, texture and consistency, packaging design, ease of preparation, variety and overall satisfaction. Brands that met the minimum sample size (30 responses) are included in our report.
Indomie (Mi Goreng) was consumers’ top pick for instant noodles after receiving five-star reviews in key categories – including overall satisfaction!
Here are the best brands of instant noodles in Australia, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s review:
Despite some stiff competition, Indomie was rated the best instant noodle brand with five-star reviews for taste, texture and consistency and overall satisfaction. Notably, ALDI was rated best for value for money, and also got full marks for packaging and texture and consistency, alongside Maggi which scored the same result for ease of preparation. Meanwhile, Suimin also managed to pick up five stars in several categories, including texture, packaging, ease of prep and variety.
Indomie first came onto the scene in Indonesia in 1972. Instant noodles had already been popular in Japan, but the word soon spread about the delicious little snack, and soon, Indomie had a booming business. It wasn’t until 20 years later, in 1990 that Australians were introduced to the instant noodle, and it has been a firm love affair ever since. In response to consumers’ appetite for noodles, Indomie has extended its range from the classic Mi Goreng to include barbeque chicken, satay, hot & spicy, spicy beef ribs, special chicken and chicken curry. However, you may like to slurp your noodles, Indomie has a flavour for you.
Generally, instant noodles are made from flour, salt, starch and water although some noodle brands use a salt substitute. The flavouring packets that a lot of noodles come with include ingredients like salt, seasoning, sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce and chilli.
Instant noodles and their flavouring packets contain a lot of salt. If you’re looking to improve the nutritional content of your noodle dish, it’s recommended to drain your noodles, reduce the amount of packet flavouring you use and try to use homemade seasonings of fresh herbs and spices instead of the packet ones.
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Content Producer Luciana Lawe Davies. She writes about streaming, appliances and consumer products and services. Luciana enjoys bringing readers the best in what’s on TV and at the shops, including the best deals and latest reviews.
Canstar Blue surveyed more than 3,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have purchased and eaten instant noodles from a supermarket within the last six months – in this case, 1,742 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
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