Introduction
We all grew up eating store-bought instant noodles, but one time, you happened to eat out at a fancy restaurant and got to taste authentic noodles. You probably would have been mind blown just like anyone else. The difference and the experience were distinct.
What if you could make the same at home or the next time you have a craving? Why don’t you go to a restaurant that serves Chinese or Japanese dishes and order normal noodles? Should you reconsider your choice of noodles?
In this blog, let us explore the major differences between instant and normal noodles and see which is good for you.
Also Check – 8 main types of noodles around the world
Instant Noodles vs Normal Noodles
Noodles have an appeal for citizens around the globe, and that has been the case for centuries. Traditional or normal noodles range from spaghetti and udon to soba and egg noodles.
During the mid-20th century, instant noodles began to surge rapidly in popularity. The main highlight is that instant noodles require little to no preparation time or effort. There are stark differences between Instant noodles and their traditional counterparts, so let’s take a closer look.
1. Ingredients and Preparation
Instant Noodles
They are generally popular for their affordability, long shelf life, and convenience. Instant noodles are a mostly sought-after delicacy among students, busy professionals, and families seeking quick meals.
Instant noodles are prepared from refined wheat flour, water, and salt. Most brands also use palm oil or another form of fat to fry the noodles to make them half-cooked during production. These are accompanied by seasoning packets that are often loaded with artificial flavours, preservatives, and enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Popular brands of Instant noodles include Maggi, Yippee, Indomie, etc.
Normal Noodles
Traditional noodles are prepared from scratch using flour, water, and sometimes eggs or oil, depending on the type of noodles you’re trying to make. Homemade whole-wheat or rice noodles contain fewer additives and preservatives than their store-bought equivalents.
Store-bought normal noodles are pricier but much healthier as they do not contain as many additives or preservatives as their instant noodle counterparts.
2. Nutritional Comparisons
Being heavily processed, instant noodles have an extended shelf life. This may seem like an easier and budget-friendly option, but it comes with a cost to our health.
Instant noodles often contain preservatives, artificial colouring and flavouring, which enables them to last longer. It is also important to know that instant noodles have lower nutritional value and are higher in calories, fat, and sodium. Some things to watch out for are,
Sodium Spike
Traditional noodles have significantly low levels of sodium. Their sodium levels are dependent on the sauce or broth used to prepare them.
Instant noodles, on the other hand, contain really high levels of sodium to increase their flavour and shelf life. If you are not careful about the amount you consume, you are likely to exceed the daily recommended levels of sodium intake.
A single serving of instant noodles contains roughly around 861 mg of sodium. High levels of sodium consumption are an underlying contributor to high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems.
Also Check – 6 Different types of Ramen at – Jonah’s Bistro
Additives and Preservatives
Instant noodles contain various types of additives and preservatives that increase their shelf life. Some of the many chemical preservatives are TBHQ (tertiary-butylhydroquinone), bisphenol A (BPA) and MSG.
TBHQ prolongs shelf life but comes with adverse health effects when consumed in large amounts over time.
Bisphenol A is a chemical compound that leeches the chemicals from the packaging directly into the food. It is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that can interfere with hormone biosynthesis and metabolism.
MSG is generally recognised to be safe for consumption, but some people are allergic to MSG, and it can cause chest pain, headache, sweating, etc.
Nutritional Values
People who regularly rely on instant noodles as a budget-friendly alternative are likely to suffer from large nutrient deficiencies. This is because instant noodles are notoriously low in necessary nutrients like proteins, fibres, and essential vitamins.
Regular and constant consumption of instant noodles can lead to issues like poor digestion, low energy, and weakened immunity.
Traditional noodles, on the other hand, are handmade from whole grains, eggs, and water or oil, which gives them a more balanced nutrient profile. Making noodles from scratch ensures that all ingredients used in the preparation are fresh and free of chemical additives and preservatives—they are better for the body by a huge margin.
3. Versatility and Lifestyle
Instant noodles appeal to the large masses because of the convenience they provide. People with a hectic schedule, like professionals, students and people on a tight budget, often turn to instant noodles as an affordable and quick option.
It doesn’t take much time to prepare instant noodles. If you have access to hot water and relevant seasoning, you can get your instant noodles ready for consumption in under 5 minutes.
Preparing traditional noodles can be time-consuming. They don’t come with seasoning packets, so you have to manually choose the flavour profile that goes into preparing your dish. This makes it a healthier and more balanced meal.
Traditional noodles provide endless versatility. You can pair normal noodles with a variety of flavours from around the world, adding vegetables, protein sources and sauces to further accentuate their taste. This opens up different opportunities for you to explore your own culinary creativity.
Jonah’s Bistro: Home of Curated Noodle Dishes in Chennai
At Jonah’s Bistro, we are passionate about our noodles. With a large menu that spans Asian, Italian, American, and Indian cuisines, we believe in making our noodles the traditional way.
Our chefs are trained to prepare noodles from around the world. With access to fresh ingredients and amazing recipes, you can savour each bite that your taste buds will soar with each visit to our restaurants across Chennai.
Also Check – 3 Reasons Why You Should Visit Multicuisine Restaurants
Stop turning to instant noodles—they do more harm than good when you are craving a savoury meal. All our dishes are prepared fresh with zero additives or preservatives. Whether you are looking for Italian spaghetti, Indonesian Gorengs, Traditional Japanese Ramen, or other pasta-based dishes—our flavour profiles from across the globe are designed to wow you.
At Jonah’s Bistro, each meal is a feast for the senses. When you’ve cleared your plate, we are confident that you will walk away with a satisfied appetite and a smile on your face.
We’ve got many branches across Chennai and Coimbatore, so you never have to stress about making it down to Jonah’s Bistro for your noodle dishes in Chennai.
Check out our diverse menu online or walk into one of our restaurants to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. We’re here to serve.
Takeaway
- Instant noodles are generally popular for their affordability, long shelf life, and convenience.
- Instant noodles are easier to cook and are a budget option, but they come with a cost to our health.
- Traditional noodles made at home or even store-bought have nearly zero additives and preservatives.
- Traditional noodles are a healthier option as we have more control over the ingredients we add to their preparation.
- Jonah’s Bistro offers authentic Italian and Japanese food in Chennai.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it okay to eat instant noodles for 1 meal daily?
No. Instant noodles are fine to consume once in a while. However, instant noodles are prepared with many chemical additives and preservatives, and consuming them daily can have a negative impact on your health.
2. Is instant noodles junk food?
Instant noodles are often categorised as unhealthy or junk food.
3. Which country eats the most instant noodles?
China is the largest consumer of instant noodles.
4. Can I eat normal noodles every day?
By preparing normal noodles with vegetables and protein sources, normal noodles can be a balanced diet to consume every day. Asian cultures are built around daily noodle consumption, and they balance it well with vegetables and other ingredients with positive nutritional value.
5. What is the best time to eat noodles?
Noodles are best consumed for lunch or dinner. However, there are no strict customs or traditions that dictate when you should eat noodles.
