These instant noodles went viral on TikTok, but is it worth the hype? We find out.

Are you a fan of instant noodles? Are there a few reliable brands that you always reach out to for your noodles, yet occasionally hanker for a change?

If you're like me in this regard, an instant noodles addict I admit, then you might be pleased to know there's a brand worth checking out – Jin Mai Lang noodles.

A few TikTok creators had been talking about these noodles in their videos, and it really piqued my interest after seeing them try and review the noodles.

So what is Jin Mai Lang?

One of China's most popular noodle brands, Jin Mai Lang is known for its range of flavours.

Take for instance Jin Mai Lang's Food Tour series – these flavours are inspired by China's most iconic local dishes from its various regions, allowing anyone to experience the diversity of China’s cuisine, all from the comfort of a bowl of instant noodles within their home.

The brand's non-fried noodles also uses an air-drying and heat-drying process, compared to traditional instant noodles which are deep-fried, to remove moisture in the manufacturing process.

The end result? The noodles are less greasy and taste cleaner compared to fried noodles which have higher levels of fat due to the amount of palm oil absorbed during production.

A simple way to see the difference is that Jin Mai Lang's noodles sink in a bowl of water while traditional instant noodles float.

The noodles also taste similar to fresh hand-made noodles with a firmer and more elastic bit while the broth tastes lighter and cleaner, allowing the flavours to stand out more.

Little wonder then that when my colleagues, family and I were given the opportunity to try out their flavours, we found ourselves in for a treat.

When my fellow instant noodles-loving colleagues heard we had a chance to try Jin Mai Lang noodles, many began hovering around the pantry, greeting me with a chorus of "I want" as the fragrant smell of noodles wafted through the office.

My family was also more than happy to have them for dinner when I brought the noodles home as they were excited to have so many new flavours to try.

If you are curious, the noodles are for sale on Shopee, Tik Tok shop and Lazada.

So how did the noodles actually taste?

Shanxi Dao Xiao Mian (classic pork flavour)

First up, for my mum who struggles with spicy flavours, her personal favourite was the classic pork flavour.

With its pork-based broth combined with vinegar packet that gives a light and umami taste, it adds a savoury punch without the flavour being too heavy.

The sour and tangy kick, together with chewy, al-dente noodles made for a very flavourful late night snack, "one of the best" she’s had.

Another colleague also highlighted how the noodles had a springy texture which gave the noodles a "handmade" taste and paired well with the sumptuous pork-based broth.

Shanghai Scallion Oil (scallion oil flavour and dry)

Next up, my second favourite among all the flavours.

If you're a fan of dry noodles, this is the one for you.

Not only is it fragrant, savoury and lightly sweet, its scallion oil flavour stands out to deliver a rich aroma with caramelised onion notes and soy-based seasoning.

What's more, its non-fried noodles mean you can enjoy it without any worries.

It's really easy to prepare — all you have to do is cook the noodles in hot water for four minutes, drain the water out and mix the sauce and ingredients in.

My stomach was already growling by the time I smelled the noodles and I was not disappointed when I took that first bite.

The scallion oil made the first bite so fragrant and it never lost its delicious charm even in subsequent bites.

Its strong aroma, combined with the caramelised onion and soy based seasoning made me spend more time chewing the noodles slowly just so I could savour each bite.

Anhui Ban Mian (spicy beef flavour)

Another flavour that stunned many tasters — the spicy beef flavour.

Apart from being the crowd favourite, this flavour also stands out with its aromatic beef flavour and springy noodles.

For Hannah, the good balance of spice and beef was what drew her in. She loved that the noodles were "silky smooth", which gives it a nice and soft texture, like "kway teow noodles".

As for Rei, the fragrant and flavourful soup combined with the noodle texture made her keep reaching for more.

Meanwhile, my dad, a spice lover, gushed about how the flavour lingered in his mouth long after the first bite.

Chongqing Xiao Mian (spicy mala flavour)

The spicy mala flavour, however, was my dad’s absolute favourite.

"It's perfect for spice lovers," he quipped, adding that he liked how the "mala" flavour was strong enough but not too overpowering and gave just the right kick.

It even has a fried soybeans packet for extra crunch.

Other colleagues were also surprised by how the tangy and numbing noodles could retain its flavour in every bite.

If you are craving a hot meal, this flavour with its strong hints of spice and numbing taste might perhaps just be the right fit for you.

Hot & Sour Vermicelli (spicy & Halal-certified)

Next up, my personal favourite.

I was already sold by the fact that the noodles were vermicelli, as I generally prefer thinner noodles.

On top of that, the tangy kick of the soup blended very nicely with the sourness, adding a greater complexity of flavour which made it so addictive and left me longing for more.

Gulshan, another fan of vermicelli, also liked the choice of noodles.

Another plus point for her was that this flavour is halal-certified, under the list of MUIS-recognised Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCB).

Perfect for anyone with halal dietary needs.

Tomato and Egg (Halal-certified)

Another halal-certified favourite was the tomato and egg flavour, with its unique tangy and mildly sweet taste.

It turns out, having the acidity of a tomato softened by the creamy white of an egg can result in a thick, comforting soup.

"The tomato flavour really shines through," Lia said once she had taken a bite – a sentiment that took the words right out of my mouth because tomato-flavoured soup is actually one of my favourites to pair with noodles.

This flavour also found a fan in my mum, who liked how the soup was savoury, tangy, and a little sweet all at the same time.

Coming from the lady who used to cook a lot for the family, this was high praise.

Seafood flavour

Another halal-certified flavour suitable for those who love soup noodles is the Seafood Soup Flavour.

With its light and umami seafood broth, its subtle seafood taste lingers after each bite, making it easy to enjoy at a family feast.

These are just some of the flavours Jin Mai Lang has to offer. Others include the Artificial Mushroom Chicken Flavour which is vegetarian and Henan Hui Mian (Mutton Flavour).

Jin Mai Lang is also currently available at selected Sheng Siong and Prime outlets, with FairPrice coming on board at the end of March.

So go grab yours now while stocks last!

This branded article by Jin Mai Lang made this writer want to try all its flavours again.

Cover photo by Mothership