Ching's SecretInstant Noodles#56 of 85 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Ching's Secret Schezwan Flavoured Instant Noodles

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (1583mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (7.1g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: High protein (11g per 100g)
  • Green flag: High fibre (8.1g)

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: Corn Flour
  • Iodised Salt
  • Garlic Powder
  • Sugar
  • Mixed Spices (9%) (Chilli, Ginger, Pepper)
  • Onion Powder
  • Dehydrated Vegetables (2.4%) (Carrot, Parsley)
  • Flavour Enhancer (INS 635)
  • Soy Sauce Powder (Soybean, Wheat, Salt)
  • Acidity Regulator (INS 330)
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Anticaking Agent (INS 551)
  • Tomato Powder
  • Yeast Extract
  • Natural Flavouring Substances
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy425 kcal
Protein11 g
Carbohydrates63.8 g
Total sugars2.6 g
Added sugars2.6 g
Dietary fibre8.1 g
Total fat14 g
Saturated fat7.1 g
Trans fat0 g
Sodium1583 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Desi Chinese flavour, one number that does not add up

Ching's Secret Schezwan noodles are a palm-fried maida noodle with a Schezwan-style seasoning of corn flour, garlic, chilli, ginger, pepper, soy sauce powder and tomato.

CleanPlate scores it [L]DC4, provisionally. The [L] is for the nutrition panel: it declares 8.1 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. 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

    “Schezwan Flavoured”

    Holds

    The name says flavoured, and chilli, ginger, pepper, garlic and soy sauce powder are all listed.

  • On the pack

    “8.1 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
11 g
Fibre
8.1 g
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
425 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
2.6 g
Sodium
1583 mg
Saturated fat
7.1 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 noodles are maida, refined palm oil, salt, wheat gluten, a thickener, stabiliser, acidity regulator, raising agent and TBHQ (319). The seasoning is corn flour, salt, garlic powder, sugar, mixed spices (9%), onion powder, dehydrated carrot and parsley (2.4%), enhancer 635, soy sauce powder, citric acid, sunflower oil, anticaking agent, tomato powder, yeast extract and natural flavouring.

Per 100 g: 425 kcal, 14 g fat of which 7.1 g saturated, 1583 mg sodium, 2.6 g added sugar and 11 g protein. The panel also declares 8.1 g fibre, which is not plausible for a maida noodle with no fibre ingredient; it needs verifying against a physical pack.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    1583 mg per 100 g.

  • TBHQ (INS 319)Concern

    A synthetic antioxidant in the noodle. Permitted within limits.

  • Declared fibre (8.1 g)Worth watching

    Maida supplies a few grams at most. Until verified, treat the fibre figure with caution.

  • No synthetic colourFine

    The red look comes from chilli, not dye.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Chinese-style noodles are lighter than masala noodles"

The noodle is the same fried maida base. Sodium here is higher than in most masala packs.

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

Not here: the first ingredient is maida. A fibre figure that the ingredients cannot explain is a reason to check, not to trust.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsOccasionally, with half the seasoning
  • ChildrenA treat; it is spicy and salty
  • High blood pressureAvoid or use a quarter of the seasoning

Smarter ways to eat it

Stir-fry it

Toss the boiled noodles with cabbage, capsicum and spring onion, and use half the sachet.

Add protein

Tofu, egg or paneer makes it a fuller meal.

Common questions

Is Ching's Secret Schezwan Flavoured Instant Noodles healthy?

Ching's Secret Schezwan 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 (1583mg per 100g); High saturated fat (7.1g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: High protein (11g per 100g); High fibre (8.1g).

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 Schezwan 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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