Ching's SecretInstant Noodles#32 of 85 in categoryRating 2.7/5

Ching's Secret Kimchi Korean Instant Noodles

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (1506.2mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (6g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (8.4g)
  • Green flag: Source of fibre

Ingredients, decoded

25 listed
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

CC4

Nutrition per 100 g
CNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictFAIR
Energy440 kcal
Protein8.4 g
Carbohydrates66 g
Total sugars5.1 g
Added sugars4.4 g
Dietary fibre3 g
Total fat15.9 g
Saturated fat6 g
Trans fat0 g
Sodium1506.2 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Kimchi on the front, sugar first in the sachet

Ching's Secret Kimchi Korean is a palm-fried maida noodle with a sweet, garlicky seasoning and a sachet of sunflower oil. The front says Kimchi; the footnote says kimchi flavoured.

CleanPlate scores it CC4. The C for nutrition reflects modest protein and a little fibre. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil, TBHQ in both oils and ten additives. 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

    “Kimchi”

    Be careful

    No kimchi is listed; the pack footnote says "Kimchi Flavoured". The taste comes from sugar, garlic, tomato, soy sauce powder and flavourings.

How CC4 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
C

Adequate nutrient density

Protein
8.4 g
Fibre
3 g
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
440 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
3 types
Additives
10
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
4.4 g
Sodium
1506.2 mg
Saturated fat
6 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, palm oil with TBHQ, thickeners, gluten, salt, a texturiser, acidity regulator and raising agent. The seasoning is sugar, salt, hydrolysed soy protein, garlic, tomato powder, soy sauce powder, spices, enhancer 635, onion, flavourings, anticaking agents and sunflower oil with TBHQ; a separate oil sachet is more sunflower oil.

Per 100 g (converted from the 80 g pack): 440 kcal, 15.9 g fat of which 6 g saturated, 1506 mg sodium, 4.4 g added sugar, 8.4 g protein and 3 g fibre.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    1506 mg per 100 g; 1205 mg in one pack.

  • TBHQ (319)Concern

    Added to both the palm oil and the sunflower oil.

  • SugarWorth watching

    4.4 g added sugar per 100 g; sugar leads the seasoning.

  • SulphiteWorth watching

    The allergen note declares sulphite, though no sulphite appears in the ingredient list.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Kimchi noodles are fermented and gut-friendly"

There is no kimchi in this pack; the flavour is built from sugar, garlic and flavourings.

Myth: "MSG is what makes instant noodles unhealthy"

Flavour enhancers are not the main issue at food levels. The salt, the palm-fried refined flour and the lack of fibre matter far more.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsOccasionally, with half the seasoning
  • ChildrenA treat; it is salty and sweet
  • High blood pressureAvoid

Smarter ways to eat it

Add real kimchi

A spoon of real kimchi gives the flavour the name promises, with less sachet needed.

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.

Common questions

Is Ching's Secret Kimchi Korean Instant Noodles healthy?

Ching's Secret Kimchi Korean Instant Noodles scores CC4 (Fair) on CleanPlate, which makes it an occasional-use product, where the concerns start to outweigh the positives. The main concerns are: Contains TBHQ; High sodium (1506.2mg per 100g); High saturated fat (6g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: Source of protein (8.4g); Source of fibre.

What does the CC4 score mean?

The first letter (C) grades nutritional value: adequate 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 Kimchi Korean Instant Noodles should I watch?

Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Refined Palm Oil (Antioxidant (INS 319)) (TBHQ), Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Powder (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Maltodextrin, Iodised Salt) (Maltodextrin), Tomato Powder (Tomato Solids, Maltodextrin, Anticaking Agent (INS 551)) (Maltodextrin), Refined Sunflower Oil (Antioxidant (INS 319)) (TBHQ), Seasoning Oil: Refined Sunflower Oil (Antioxidant (INS 319)) (TBHQ).

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

Better Instant Noodles

All 85 →