In the realm of quick meals, few options beat the convenience and comfort of instant noodles. With their ease of preparation and diverse flavors, they’ve become a staple for many. However, not all instant noodles are created equal. Today, we embark on a flavorful journey, pitting three popular brands in Kenya against each other: Nala, Indomie, and Noodies. All are chicken flavored and 120g so this should be a fair comparison.
If you want fancy Korean and Malay Noodles that are actually in Kenya then check out this other post, they are much expensive and start over KSh 300
Read: The 11 Best Instant Noodles in Kenya
Unpacking
Let’s cut to the chase: instant noodles. We’ve all been there, staring at the grocery store shelf, wondering which pack to pick. But let me tell you, they all seem to blend together—same weight, same flavor promises, same calorie counts. So, what’s the real deal? Well, let’s break it down.
So, here’s the scoop: Nala, Indomie, and Noodies. Three brands, seemingly identical, but with one key difference—the price tag.
Noodies by Bidco takes the prize for being the cheapest at 38 bob, while Nala and Indomie come in at KSh 46 a pop. But does the price reflect the quality? Let’s find out.
Ever noticed the color difference? Noodies is the pale cousin of the trio, while Nala and Indomie sport a more vibrant hue. And when it comes to taste testing them raw, well, Nala takes the cake with its satisfying deep-fried flavor. Meanwhile, poor Noodies falls flat, earning the title of the blandest and most lifeless of the bunch.
Now, the spice packets—the true heroes of our instant noodle adventure. Here’s where the real magic happens.
Nala steps up to the plate with a spice packet that’s truly impressive. Packed with dried veggies and flavor, it’s like a party in your bowl. Indomie holds its own, with a decent spice packet that’s heavy on the salt but still delivers the goods.
And then there’s Noodies… Well, let’s just say the smell alone is a turnoff. You already know it’s going to disappoint, its is just a blend of a yellow orange turmeric like powder with salt crystals.
Cooking Instructions
Time to cook these bad boys up and see if anything changes in the taste department. Will Noodies redeem itself? Will Nala maintain its flavor supremacy? Let’s fire up the stove and find out!
Both Nala and Indomie are similar in most aspect and that isn’t different in cooking them, they both require a 3 minute boil and they are good, Noodies on the other hand require two; i didn’t follow the instructions here and i assumed it was 3 minutes for all which i exactly did.
But here’s the kicker: those cooking instructions on the packets? Meh, they always leave something to be desired. Soggy, sticky noodles? No thank you.
So, I took matters into my own hands and cooked them my way. And guess what? Nala’s instructions were right up my alley. Instead of the usual boil-and-mix method like Indomie and Noodies suggest, Nala recommends draining the noodles and mixing the flavor pack contents right on the plate. Now, that’s what I call a game-changer. So, that’s exactly what I did for all three of them.
Taste
As predicted, Nala comes out on top as the shining star of the instant noodle world. Its chewy texture and perfectly balanced flavor make it a real winner, especially considering its budget-friendly price tag.
Now, let’s talk about Indomie. It’s not bad, per se, but it’s just… okay. The flavor is there, but it tends to stick to itself like glue, which can be a bit of a downer. Plus, it’s a bit too salty and lacks the depth of flavor that Nala brings to the table. And don’t get me started on the texture—it’s softer and less satisfyingly chewy than Nala.
And then there’s poor Noodies. Straight to the bin, no questions asked. I know, I know, wasting food is a big no-no, but trust me, this stuff is practically inedible.
The noodles are overcooked (my bad for not reading the instructions properly), but even if I had cooked them perfectly, I don’t think it would have made much of a difference.
While the noodles by themselves are average at best, the flavor pack makes it all worse, if i were to eat these i would without the flavor pack contents added, they smell like paint, and don’t really add anything to the noodles.
Final Thoughts
After comparing and cooking all the three noodles, Nala is the best option for budget instant noodles in Kenya. Indomie is a good option although not as good, and as for Noodies they are so underwhelming I wouldn’t advise anyone to buy them.
Remember this is a bias free article on basis of personal tastes, i’m not affiliated with any of the brands.