I tried all the supermarket Pot Noodles – £1 winner looks VERY bland but is tasty, filling and impressive for the price

Scottish Sun

24-04-2025

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WE have been warned to stock up on Pot Noodles due to fears Russia could hit our power grid with attacks and cyber threats.
Security expert Paul Beaver has called for people to buy in food 'like Pot Noodles', and make sure they have camping stoves on standby in case the worst happens.
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Thea Jacobs has tested all the supermarket Pot Noodles dupes
Credit: Gary Stone
But as the price of Pot Noodles doubled last year, is it worth opting to have one of the many dupes in your cupboard instead?
Thea Jacobs rates them.
Batchelors Super Noodles Chinese Salt & Pepper Chicken
Sainsbury's, £1, 75g, 352 cals
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Batchelors Super Noodles look bland but are 5/5
Credit: Gary Stone
IT all looks very bland apart from some red flakes, and there's not much broth.
read more on money
BLOCK I tested cheap supermarket drain unblockers - a £2 buy beat Mr Muscle
But it's actually tasty. There's a little kick of chilli, then the saltiness.
This doesn't taste of chicken, more like salt and pepper chips, but there is no chemical after-taste either.
It's filling – and I'm impressed for the price.
Rating: 5/5
You've been making a pot noodle all wrong and this is why it's lacking flavour
Newgate Express Speedy Noodle Chicken and Mushroom
Lidl, 69p, 80g, 373 cals
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Newgate's version looks and tastes cheap
Credit: Gary Stone
I CAN clearly see bits of mushroom and sweetcorn – but the noodles have been cut small, so don't drape off your fork.
The sauce has gone quite thick, which makes it feel a bit like sludge and the only real taste is the soy sauce packet I've added.
Not filling either. It's certainly cheap – and you can tell.
Rating: 1/5
Naked Noodles Teriyaki Flavour
Tesco, £1.25, 78g, 290 cals
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Naked's offering has little flavour other than bland breadiness
Credit: Gary Stone
FOR teriyaki, it doesn't smell quite right and the noodles are much thicker and way too soft.
I see bits of carrot and red pepper in the dark broth but there's little flavour other than bland breadiness.
Not the cheapest and while it has a decent amount of calories, it's not worth the energy to eat it.
Rating: 2/5
Just Essentials Chicken and Mushroom Flavour Cup Noodle
Asda, 54p, 70g, 328 cals
11
Asda's noodles weren't bad but unmemorable
Credit: Gary Stone
THE sauce is as yellow as the bright packaging. It smells vaguely chicken-like and I can see some sad-looking sweetcorn.
Rather bland, but you do feel you are getting a proper meal.
That said, the noodles are still a bit crunchy, which isn't ideal. Not bad, but unmemorable.
Rating: 2/5
Bramwells Express Snack Noodles Chicken & Mushroom
Aldi, 69p, 90g, 417 cals
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These look very similar to a Pot Noodle and are impressive for the price
Credit: Gary Stone
IN classic Aldi style, this looks very similar to a Pot Noodle but seems to have more sweetcorn and proper mushroom chunks.
It's not bad, but the flavouring has a slight chemical after-taste. The noodles are cooked well and aren't chopped up.
Given the price, I'm impressed.
Rating: 4/5
Itsu Chick-n Ramen Rice Noodles
Tesco, £1.85, 64g, 217 cals
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Itsu's offering is pricey but lacklustre
Credit: Gary Stone
TASTES similar to the ramen I've had at an Itsu restaurant, which I'm not a fan of either.
Not a lot of broth, and I can see little pools of oil in it.
There are bits of spring onion, but no other veg.
There is a faint chicken smell and a hint of chilli but the taste is lacklustre.
It's also pricey. I'd leave it on the shelf.
Rating: 3/5
Pot Noodle Chicken and Mushroom
Sainsbury's, £1.10, 90g, 411 cals
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The real thing isn't the best option for the price
Credit: Gary Stone
MY university-diet staple. It's as quick to make as I remember but smells less appetising than it used to.
There's sweetcorn and some flaccid chunks that I hope are mushroom.
The noodles are neither too hard or soft and the flavour is improved by adding the soy sauce.
But not the best for the price.
Rating: 3/5
Bramwells Express Soba Noodles Yakitori Flavour
Aldi, £1.19, 90g, 286 cals
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This Bramwells version smells better than it tastes
Credit: Gary Stone
ONCE mixed and left for a bit, it smells quite good.
Then you are hit with a chemical undertone, which ruins it, and oil from the flavouring sitting on top is unappealing.
All I can taste is onions. The broth is a mix of water and oil.
It's not bad value and is low in calories, but I wouldn't buy this again.
Rating: 2/5
Nissin Cup Noodles Instant Ramen Chicken Teriyaki
Tesco, £1.80, 70g, 301 cals
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The Nissin Cup Noodles taste good but are pricey
Credit: Gary Stone
CLAIMS to be the most popular cup noodle in Japan.
I can see bits of carrot, peas and mushroom.
It smells a lot like teriyaki but there's not a huge amount of broth, yet bursts into flavour the second you eat it.
First sweet, then it melds into a tangy and salty finish.
Good, but it is pricey.
Rating: 3/5
Kabuto Noodles Chicken Ramen
Sainsbury's, £1.65, 65g, 242 cals
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Kabuto's version is lacklustre and a waste of money
Credit: Gary Stone
WHEN made up with boiling water, the broth looks a bit pale – and it doesn't taste great.
There is a slight kick to the sauce, but that's all I can get.
The noodles feel a bit overcooked and disintegrate in your mouth.
I expected more.
Lacklustre all round. Don't waste your money.
Rating: 1/5
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