NestleInstant Noodles#58 of 85 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Maggi Chilly Chow Cuppa Noodles

Red flags

  • Red flag: High sodium (988.8mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (13g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base
  • Red flag: Palm oil listed

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (7.5g)

Ingredients, decoded

21 listed
  • Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)
  • Palm Oil
  • Iodized Salt
  • Thickeners (412 & 508)
  • Humectant (451(i))
  • Acidity Regulators (501(i), 500(i) & 330)
  • Masala Tastemaker: Mixed spices (Dried garlic (20.4%), Red chilli powder (7.7%), Dehydrated onion, Black pepper powder, Star anise powder, Capsicum extract, Nutmeg powder, Coriander extract, Cumin extract)
  • Starch
  • Iodized salt
  • Refined wheat flour (Maida)
  • Tomato paste (7%)
  • Sugar
  • Dehydrated carrot bits (6.3%)
  • Thickeners (508 & 415)
  • Toasted onion flakes (4%)
  • Palm oil
  • Flavour enhancer (635)
  • Acidity regulator (330)
  • Yeast extract powder
  • Colour (150d)
  • Wheat gluten
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy388 kcal
Protein7.5 g
Carbohydrates53.1 g
Total sugars2.5 g
Added sugars1.2 g
Dietary fibre1.4 g
Total fat16.5 g
Saturated fat13 g
Trans fat0.18 g
Sodium988.8 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Real garlic and tomato, heavy on palm fat

Chilly Chow Cuppa is a palm-fried maida noodle cup with a tastemaker of garlic, chilli, tomato paste, carrot and onion flakes.

CleanPlate scores it DC4. The D for nutrition reflects low protein and a little fibre. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil, caramel colour and enhancer 635, offset by real vegetables. The 4 for risk comes from saturated fat and sodium.

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
7.5 g
Fibre
1.4 g
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
388 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
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
1.2 g
Sodium
988.8 mg
Saturated fat
13 g
Trans fat
0.18 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, thickeners, a humectant and acidity regulators. The tastemaker is mixed spices (garlic 20.4%, chilli 7.7%), starch, salt, maida, tomato paste (7%), sugar, carrot (6.3%), thickeners, onion flakes (4%), palm oil, enhancer 635, citric acid, yeast extract, caramel colour and gluten.

Per 100 g: 388 kcal, 16.5 g fat of which 13 g saturated, 989 mg sodium, 1.2 g added sugar, 7.5 g protein and 1.4 g fibre.

Ingredients to watch

  • Saturated fatConcern

    13 g per 100 g from the palm-fried noodle.

  • SodiumConcern

    989 mg per 100 g; 692 mg per cup.

  • Caramel colour (150d)Worth watching

    For colour only.

  • Real vegetablesFine

    Tomato paste, carrot and onion are real ingredients, not just flavourings.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Chow means stir-fried and lighter"

It is a fried noodle cup; the fat is already in the noodle.

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 adultsOccasional convenience food
  • ChildrenA treat
  • High blood pressureLimit

Smarter ways to eat it

Add fresh vegetables

Top with sliced capsicum and spring onion for crunch and fibre.

Leave some broth

Pouring off some liquid cuts the salt you take in.

Common questions

Is Maggi Chilly Chow Cuppa Noodles healthy?

Maggi Chilly Chow Cuppa Noodles scores DC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: High sodium (988.8mg per 100g); High saturated fat (13g); Refined flour (maida) base; Palm oil listed. On the plus side: Source of protein (7.5g).

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 Maggi Chilly Chow Cuppa Noodles should I watch?

Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Palm Oil (Palm oil), Refined wheat flour (Maida) (Maida), Palm oil (Palm oil), Colour (150d) (Caramel Colour (Class IV)).

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

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