It won’t be an exaggeration to say that for most Indians, Maggi is more than just a snack. Many instant noodles came and went, but the love Indians have for Maggi is unmeasurable! But in recent years, the bold and fiery Korean ramen have been taking over supermarket shelves, social media, and Indian households. From nostalgia to vitality, the battle of the noodles is simmering, which noodle do you think is winning over Indian taste buds right now?
Maggi: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Maggi is a warm bowl of childhood memories, hostel bonding sessions, rainy-day comfort, last-minute meal, and a mountain holiday essential for Indians! While these noodles have evolved over the years, it brings a sense of nostalgia that no other dish inspires. Besides flavours, the fact that one can bring together this meal with even zero cooking talent simply adds to its charm!
Virality: Maggi has been viral even before social media existed and virality was a thing! While there have been some competition and a few controversies around the much-loved instant noodle brand over the years, it has maintained its crowd-favourite status. While travelling in mountains, having ‘pahado-wali Maggi’ is a must.
Flavours: While Masala Maggi is the OG variant, there are quite a few flavours offered by the brand in the market. You can pick Chicken Maggi, Korean BBQ, Special Masala, and even a No Garlic and No Onion version in the market. Not to forget, Nestle also offers on-the-go noodle packs that you can cook by simply adding hot water!
Toppings: From boiled eggs to chopped veggies and grated panner/cheese–the best bit about these instant noodles is that you can top it with any additional flavour and it will go together amazingly with it.
Price: Maggi is quite pocket-friendly, starting at just ₹15 for a single pack. There are multiple sizes available in the market, with price varying on the size.
Versatility: If there is one thing we have learnt over the years, then it is the fact that no two people can make Maggi in the same way–these noodles are that versatile! From simple noodles to Maggi sandwich and bhel, people have experimented with it a lot over the years.
Sodium Content: According to the company’s website, a 100g serving of these noodles contain 1172.3mg of sodium.
Cooking Time: Despite what the name suggests, Maggi noodles are not prepared in two minutes! It takes a good 7-8 minutes to cook these noodles.
Also Read: From McDonald’s To Maggi, These Brands & Their Korean Flavours Are Serving Full K-Drama Vibes
Korean Ramen: Viral Sensation Taking India By Storm
It may be because of the Hallyu wave across the world or simply Indians expanding their culinary horizons, but Korean ramen has become a part of Indian households now! While Maggi tugs at the heartstrings with nostalgia, Korean ramen tempts with its spice, variety, and trend factor. Many media reports show that the Korean noodles market in India has seen a 400% year-on-year spike in sales over the last couple of years.
Virality: K-dramas and K-pop have driven the curiosity about Korean cuisine in India and the ease of availability in stores and online platforms have further added to its virality. We mean how can one watch K-dramas and not be tempted by the drool-worthy ramyeon?!
Flavours: International brands like Samyang, Nongshim, Ottogi, and Nissin have brought flavours like masala, curry, seafood, and cheese–depending on one’s spice tolerance. Besides importing noodles from Korea, many Indian brands have launched localised flavours to tap on the growing love for ramen.
Toppings: Korean ramen is flavourful as is, but if you love your ramen, then you know that adding toppings like kimchi, spring onions, cheese, nori, sesame seeds, and bean sprouts make them even more amazing.
Price: Unlike Maggi, Korean ramen is significantly more expensive. Prices for popular ramen start anywhere between ₹120-150 for one pack.
Versatility: Ramen’s versatility is one of the biggest reasons it’s caught the attention of netizens. You can have it soupy, dry, or as part of a hotpot. You can add veggies, meat, or egg to customise according to your preference.
Sodium Content: Korean ramen has high sodium content. While it varies from brand to brand, one packet can contain 1,500 to 2,000 mg of sodium per serving.
Cooking Time: It usually takes 4-5 minutes to cook Korean ramen on the stove.
Also Read: UK Chef Turns One Gujju Dish Into Another; His Recipe Shows How Khichdi Can Become Thepla
Maggi Vs Korean Ramen
Now, Maggi and ramen have their own fan base in India. While, for decades, Maggi has been the undisputed king of instant noodles in India, Korean ramen have made a place for themselves with their bold flavours and fiery spice levels. Its distinct taste teases our taste buds with novelty while Maggi brings a sense of nostalgia with each slurp! In the Maggi vs Korean ramen war, finding an undefeated champion is very difficult and we’ll let your palate decide who wins this battle!
Also Read: These Are The Best Places For Ramen In Delhi Every Korean Food Lover Should Visit
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal & Canva Pro/Eiliv Aceron
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