8 Worst Instant Noodle Brands: Avoid Bad Instant Ramen

Are you on a relentless quest for that perfect bowl of instant ramen? Hold up! While these convenient noodles have become the savior of quick meals, not all packets are created equal.

In fact, some are so dismal that they make you question your life choices.

From unpalatable mixtures disguised as ‘healthy choices’ to noodles that seem like a salt mine in a bowl, here’s the unfiltered scoop on the worst instant noodle brands that are better left on the store shelf.

Trust me, you’ll thank me later.

Worst Instant Noodles

Based on quality, taste, and value for money, the worst instant ramen noodles are Annie Chun’s, Snapdragon Beef Pho, Maruchan, McDougal’s, Trader Joe’s, and a few others.

1. Annie Chun’s Ramen: Health Over Flavor

You feel optimistic when you read the packaging of Annie Chun’s Ramen.

The brand promises health-conscious ingredients with no MSG. However, when you dig in, you realize the flavor depth is just not there.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Priced around $4 per bowl, it’s not budget-friendly
• The lack of robust, authentic flavors is noticeable
• Not satisfying for those who like a bit of a kick in their ramen

This might be for you if you’re counting calories and not pennies. Otherwise, you may want to look elsewhere.

Trust me, bad choices are not limited to instant noodles. To stay healthy, you should steer clear of the worst kombucha flavors.

2. Snapdragon Beef Pho Instant Noodle: A Bad Experience

These instant noodles come in a neat 4-pack, giving off an aura of convenience and promising a quick beef pho fix. But the moment I tore open the package, my senses were assaulted by a skunky aroma.

The first taste confirmed it—the flavors were off. Instead of a beefy, aromatic broth, I got an uninviting blend of spices.

Reasons to Avoid:

• No beef flavor to speak of
• The pungent, unpleasant aroma
• Unidentifiable spices mar the experience
• Noodles have a rubbery, artificial texture

Snapdragon’s Beef Pho falls flat in delivering an authentic pho experience. The lack of beef flavor, off-putting smell, and rubbery noodles make it the worst instant ramen noodles to skip.

3. Maruchan: Easy on the Wallet, Hard on the Health

Yes, Maruchan is incredibly budget-friendly, but it comes with a cost: your health.

The sodium content is alarmingly high, and the artificial flavorings dominate the taste profile.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Sodium levels exceed the recommended daily intake
• Overuse of artificial flavor enhancers like MSG
• It is not a long-term sustainable food option, health-wise

In short, Maruchan might be cheap, but it’s not valuable when considering the health impact. It is definitely among the worst instant ramen brands.

4. McDougall’s: Healthy Yet Flavorless Option

Dr. McDougall’s targets the health-conscious demographic, particularly those who are vegan. The issue is that while it checks off the health boxes, it seriously lacks flavor.

Reasons to Avoid:

• The flavor profile is flat and uninspiring
• Doesn’t satisfy cravings for traditional, flavorful ramen
• The cost is higher than what you get in terms of flavor and experience

Dr. McDougall’s offers a vegan-friendly, healthy ramen option that, unfortunately, falls flat in the flavor department.

The higher price doesn’t justify the bland taste experience.

If you want to enjoy noodles’ great taste, I suggest avoiding this bad instant ramen flavor.

5. Trader Joe’s Ramen: Misses the Mark

Next on our list of worst instant noodles is Trader Joe’s Ramen.

Trader Joe’s has a reputation for delivering quality goods, but their ramen doesn’t measure up.

While it’s healthier than most, it’s not something you’ll look forward to eating.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Noodles tend to become gummy or clump together
• Lacks the punchy flavors one would expect from ramen
• The portion size is less than satisfying, especially for the price point

While Trader Joe’s Ramen leans healthier, it disappoints in flavor and texture. The noodles tend to clump, and the overall meal is neither satisfying nor worth the cost.

6. Mike’s Mighty Good Ramen: Falls Short of Mighty

This brand sells itself as a premium craft ramen experience, but the end result is underwhelming.

The portion sizes are notably small, which is frustrating given the higher price point.

Reasons to Avoid:

• You may still be hungry after eating
• The higher price doesn’t match the product quality
• Flavor variety doesn’t compensate for portion size

The price point of Mike’s Mighty Good Ramen doesn’t align with the overall quality and experience. Hence, it’s better to look for other options.

7. A-SHA Ramen Noodles: A Letdown in a Bag

A-SHA brands itself as a healthy, vegetarian ramen alternative. With the promise of a better, healthier ramen, I had high expectations.

However, the noodles lacked the authentic ramen texture I yearned for, no matter how long I cooked them.

The sauce, labeled as ‘original,’ was more of a mystery than a masterpiece.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Lacks authentic ramen texture
• Unimpressive sauce
• Broth turns gelatinous quickly
• Noodles become mushy

The brand aims for a healthier ramen but falls short in key areas like texture and flavor. The experience overall is far from the authentic ramen we crave.

For those curious about other culinary letdowns, avoid unhealthy soy sauce brands.

8. MAMA Ramen: A Mixed Bag

MAMA Ramen offers a diverse range of flavors. Still, diversity alone doesn’t cut it when the sodium levels are off the charts, and artificial flavors are rampant.

Reasons to Avoid:

• High sodium levels may lead to health concerns
• Artificial flavors don’t provide an authentic ramen experience
• A larger selection doesn’t necessarily mean better quality

This instant noodle brand has a diverse flavor range but is bogged down by high sodium levels and artificial ingredients.

While variety is a plus, the health concerns and lack of authentic flavors are notable downsides.

Those concerned about health supplements might also want to avoid bad red yeast rice brands.

Summing Up

So there you have it. You might be tempted to grab just any pack of instant ramen off the shelf for a quick, comforting meal.

But beware, not all noodles are worth your time or money. From sodium-loaded bowls to tasteless, health-conscious options, some of the worst instant noodle brands are better left untouched.

Do yourself a favor: steer clear of these picks and keep hunting for that elusive perfect bowl.

Erica Steven

Co-Founder and Content Manager at WorstBrands

Erica Steven is the founder and lead writer of WorstBrands, a site dedicated to providing honest and trustworthy reviews about outdoor gear and fashion products.

With a passion for exploring the great outdoors and staying up to date on the latest fashion trends, Erica uses her expertise to provide valuable insights into the products that matter most to her readers.

Whether you're looking for camping equipment or the latest fashion accessories, Erica's articles are the perfect resource for finding the best products that fit your lifestyle.