Ching's SecretInstant Noodles#54 of 85 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Ching's Secret Hot Garlic Flavoured Instant Noodles

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (1673mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (7.5g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (9.8g)
  • Green flag: High fibre (9g)

Ingredients, decoded

24 listed
  • Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)
  • Refined Palm Oil
  • Iodised Salt
  • Wheat Gluten
  • Thickener (INS 508)
  • Stabilizer (INS 451)
  • Acidity Regulator (INS 501(i))
  • Raising Agent (INS 500(ii))
  • Antioxidant (INS 319)
  • Seasoning Mix: Dehydrated Garlic (38%)
  • Iodised Salt
  • Mixed Spices (10.6%) [Chilli, Turmeric, Ginger, Pepper]
  • Corn Flour
  • Tomato Powder
  • Sugar
  • Flavour Enhancer (INS 635)
  • Dehydrated Vegetables (2.4%) [Carrot, Parsley]
  • Onion Powder
  • Soy Sauce Powder (Soybean, Wheat, Salt)
  • Anticaking Agent (INS 551)
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Acidity Regulator (INS 330)
  • Yeast Extract
  • Natural and Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy434 kcal
Protein9.8 g
Carbohydrates64.7 g
Total sugars5 g
Added sugars5 g
Dietary fibre9 g
Total fat15.2 g
Saturated fat7.5 g
Trans fat0 g
Sodium1673 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Real garlic, very high salt, doubtful fibre

Ching's Secret Hot Garlic is a palm-fried maida noodle with a seasoning that is 38% dehydrated garlic, plus chilli, turmeric, ginger, pepper and tomato.

CleanPlate scores it [L]DC4, provisionally. The [L] is for the nutrition panel: it declares 9 g fibre per 100 g, which the ingredients cannot supply, so we do not credit it. The D for nutrition reflects modest protein from maida. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil and TBHQ, helped by real garlic and no colour. The 4 for risk comes from very high sodium.

Claims vs reality

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

  • Product name

    “Hot Garlic Flavoured”

    Holds

    Dehydrated garlic is 38% of the seasoning.

  • On the pack

    “9 g fibre per 100 g”

    Misleading

    The ingredients can supply about 3.5 g per 100 g at most; nothing listed explains the rest. CleanPlate does not credit the figure.

How DC4 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
9.8 g
Fibre
9 g
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
434 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
Refined Palm Oil
Sweeteners
Sugar
Additives
7
Flagged
3 ingredients

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

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Added sugar
5 g
Sodium
1673 mg
Saturated fat
7.5 g
Trans fat
0 g

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

[L] The name or pack claims promise more than the ingredient list delivers. See Claims vs reality.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

The noodle is maida, palm oil, salt, gluten, a thickener, stabiliser, acidity regulator, raising agent and TBHQ (319). The seasoning is garlic (38%), salt, mixed spices (10.6%), corn flour, tomato powder, sugar, enhancer 635, carrot and parsley, onion, soy sauce powder, anticaking agent, sunflower oil, citric acid, yeast extract and flavourings.

Per 100 g: 434 kcal, 15.2 g fat of which 7.5 g saturated, 1673 mg sodium, 5 g added sugar and 9.8 g protein. The panel also declares 9 g fibre, which is not plausible for a maida noodle; it needs verifying.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    1673 mg per 100 g.

  • TBHQ (319)Concern

    A synthetic antioxidant in the noodle.

  • Added sugarWorth watching

    5 g per 100 g, high for a savoury noodle.

  • Real garlicFine

    38% of the seasoning is garlic.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Garlic noodles are good for the heart"

Garlic is fine, but 1004 mg of sodium per serve works the other way.

Myth: "High fibre on the pack means whole grain"

The first ingredient is maida; the fibre figure needs checking.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsOccasionally, with half the seasoning
  • ChildrenA treat
  • High blood pressureAvoid

Smarter ways to eat it

Use half the sachet

Season the rest with fresh garlic, chilli, onion and a squeeze of lemon. The flavour stays; a large share of the sodium goes.

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 Hot Garlic Flavoured Instant Noodles healthy?

Ching's Secret Hot Garlic Flavoured Instant Noodles scores DC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: Contains TBHQ; High sodium (1673mg per 100g); High saturated fat (7.5g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: Source of protein (9.8g); High fibre (9g).

What does the DC4 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 (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.

Which ingredients in Ching's Secret Hot Garlic Flavoured Instant Noodles should I watch?

Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Refined Palm Oil (Palm oil), Antioxidant (INS 319) (TBHQ).

Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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