Ching's SecretInstant Noodles#35 of 89 in categoryRating 2.7/5

Ching's Secret Chowmein Noodles with Masala Pouch

Red flags

  • Red flag: High sodium (2448mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: High protein (10.8g per 100g)

Ingredients, decoded

17 listed
  • Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (96%)
  • Wheat Gluten
  • Iodised Salt
  • Raising Agents (INS 500(ii), INS 500(i))
  • Thickening & Stabilizing Agents (INS 452(i), INS 451(i), INS 471, INS 339(ii), INS 412)
  • Acidity Regulators (INS 450(iii), INS 501(i))
  • Masala: Iodised Salt
  • Mixed Spices (17.5%) [Chilli, Cumin, Coriander]
  • Sugar
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Flavour Enhancer (INS 635)
  • Soy Sauce Powder (Soybean, Wheat, Salt)
  • Anticaking Agent (INS 551)
  • Acidity Regulators (INS 330, INS 260)
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Natural Flavouring Substances
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC3

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients3Risk
VerdictFAIR
Energy353 kcal
Protein10.8 g
Carbohydrates75.6 g
Total sugars1.3 g
Added sugars1.1 g
Dietary fibre0 g
Total fat0.8 g
Saturated fat0.1 g
Trans fat0 g
Sodium2448 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Unfried chowmein, but a whole pack holds 3427 mg sodium

Ching's Secret Chowmein is an air-dried maida noodle with a free masala pouch of salt, chilli, cumin and coriander (17.5%), sugar, garlic, onion, enhancer 635, soy sauce powder and a little sunflower oil. There is no TBHQ and no colour.

CleanPlate scores it DC3. The D for nutrition is because the pack declares 0 g fibre, leaving only modest maida protein. The C for ingredients reflects maida and twelve additives, five of them phosphates or emulsifiers. The 3 for risk reflects almost no fat or sugar, capped by extreme sodium.

Claims vs reality

What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.

  • On the pack

    “Ready in 5 minutes”

    Holds

    Air-dried noodles that boil quickly.

  • On the pack

    “Fibre 0 g”

    Be careful

    A maida noodle normally carries 2 to 3 g fibre per 100 g; the pack declares none.

How DC3 breaks down

Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.

How we score →
01 Nutritional valueA to E
D

Low nutrient density

Protein
10.8 g
Fibre
0 g
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
353 kcal

Scored on eight nutrients (protein, fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D and zinc), per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
C

Mixed processing and additives

Base
Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour
Main fat
Sunflower Oil
Sweeteners
Sugar
Additives
12
Flagged
Maida

Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
3

Moderate risk

Added sugar
1.1 g
Sodium
2448 mg
Saturated fat
0.1 g
Trans fat
0 g

Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

The noodle is maida (96%), gluten, salt, raising agents, five phosphate and emulsifier additives, guar gum and acidity regulators. The masala is salt, chilli, cumin and coriander (17.5%), sugar, garlic, onion, enhancer 635, soy sauce powder, anticaking agent, citric and acetic acid, sunflower oil and natural flavouring.

Per 100 g: 353 kcal, 0.8 g fat, 0.1 g saturated, 2448 mg sodium, 1.1 g added sugar, 10.8 g protein and 0 g fibre declared.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    2448 mg per 100 g; 857 mg in one 35 g serve, 43% of the daily limit.

  • PhosphatesWorth watching

    Four phosphate additives in the noodle.

  • Not friedFine

    0.8 g fat per 100 g.

  • No TBHQ or colourFine

    Neither is listed.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "A 35 g serve is a meal"

Most people cook the whole pack: 3427 mg sodium if all the masala goes in.

Myth: "MSG is what makes instant noodles unhealthy"

Flavour enhancers are not the main issue at food levels. The salt matters far more.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsOccasionally; use a third of the masala
  • ChildrenOccasionally, with little masala
  • High blood pressureAvoid the masala

Smarter ways to eat it

Skip most of the masala

Toss with soy sauce, vinegar, pepper and vegetables and add just a pinch of the pouch.

Make it a meal

Add an egg, paneer, tofu or boiled chana and a handful of vegetables so the bowl brings protein and fibre, not just refined flour.

Common questions

Is Ching's Secret Chowmein Noodles with Masala Pouch healthy?

Ching's Secret Chowmein Noodles with Masala Pouch scores DC3 (Fair) on CleanPlate, which makes it an occasional-use product, where the concerns start to outweigh the positives. The main concerns are: High sodium (2448mg per 100g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: High protein (10.8g per 100g).

What does the DC3 score mean?

The first letter (D) grades nutritional value: low nutrient density. The second letter (C) grades ingredient and label integrity: mixed processing and additives. The number (3) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): moderate risk.

Which ingredients in Ching's Secret Chowmein Noodles with Masala Pouch should I watch?

Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (96%) (Maida).

Last reviewed September 29, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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