Ching's SecretInstant Noodles#34 of 85 in categoryRating 2.7/5

Ching's Secret Manchurian Cup Noodles

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (1503mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (9.3g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of fibre

Ingredients, decoded

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

CC4

Nutrition per 100 g
CNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictFAIR
Energy456 kcal
Protein5.3 g
Carbohydrates63.9 g
Total sugars5.4 g
Added sugars2.7 g
Dietary fibre4.7 g
Total fat19.9 g
Saturated fat9.3 g
Trans fat0 g
Sodium1503 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Real garlic, palm oil and half a day's salt

Ching's Secret Manchurian Cup is a palm-fried maida noodle with a seasoning led by dried garlic (17%), onion, sugar and carrot, plus soy sauce powder, enhancer 635 and two caramel colours.

CleanPlate scores it CC4. The C for nutrition is borderline, from a little protein and fibre. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil, TBHQ, eleven additives and caramel colour, helped by real garlic and carrot. The 4 for risk comes from very high sodium and saturated fat.

Claims vs reality

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

  • Product name

    “Manchurian”

    Holds

    A Manchurian-style garlic, soy and chilli seasoning; the name is a flavour profile.

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
5.3 g
Fibre
4.7 g
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
456 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
11
Flagged
4 ingredients

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

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Added sugar
2.7 g
Sodium
1503 mg
Saturated fat
9.3 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, salt, gluten, maize starch, thickeners, a phosphate, acidity regulators and TBHQ. The seasoning is dried garlic (17%), onion, sugar, salt, carrot (7%), enhancer 635, soy sauce powder (4%) with plain caramel, natural flavours, chilli flakes (2%), potato starch, acidity regulators, herbs, anticaking agents, caramel 150d, xanthan gum, green chilli and sunflower oil with TBHQ.

Per 100 g: 456 kcal, 19.9 g fat of which 9.3 g saturated, 1503 mg sodium, 2.7 g added sugar, 5.3 g protein and 4.7 g fibre.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    1503 mg per 100 g; 1052 mg in one 70 g cup, 53% of the daily limit.

  • Saturated fatConcern

    9.3 g per 100 g from palm oil.

  • TBHQ (319)Concern

    A synthetic antioxidant in the noodle and seasoning oil.

  • Real garlicFine

    17% of the seasoning is dried garlic.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "A cup is a light snack"

One 70 g cup is 319 kcal with 13.9 g fat.

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 adultsRarely
  • ChildrenRarely
  • 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 Manchurian Cup Noodles healthy?

Ching's Secret Manchurian Cup 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 (1503mg per 100g); High saturated fat (9.3g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: 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 Manchurian Cup Noodles should I watch?

Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Refined Palm Oil (Palm oil), Antioxidant (INS 319) (TBHQ), Colour (INS 150d) (Caramel Colour (Class IV)), Refined Sunflower Oil (Antioxidant (INS 319)) (TBHQ).

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

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