Pot Noodles are hardly winning any prizes for their nutritional content, but they can be a Godsend when you’re in a pinch.
Retail staff rooms, campsites, and bachelor pads are awash with them, providing quick and easy sustenance with just enough flavour to convince you to keep on slurping.
You’d think they’d be free from controversy on the cooking front: after all, the manufacturers graciously include some foolproof instructions on the side of every pack.
Peel back the foil, remove the sauce packet, boil some water, fill the pot up to the line, cover it with the foil, then leave it to stand for two minutes before giving it a good stir and adding the sauce sachet’s contents.
But alas, we’ve all got our own facts these days, no matter how immutable the manufacturer-approved instructions might be.
Some people, as claimed in this TikTok video from Abbey O’Hagan (@abbey_ohagan) add their own spin on the recipe: they pour the water out.
Now, as Abbey kindly points out, this also pours out the vast majority of the flavourings.
“So, when I make two-minute noodles, I just do it the way it says on the packet,” Abbey says in the video.
“I’ll boil the kettle, put in the hot water, put the stuff in, cover it and let it cook and marinate.
“The thing that gets me is that so many people, once this is done, will drain all of the water out,” she continued.
“To me, that is like borderline psychopathic. Because the water with all the goodness is the best part.
“But then some people also put in the seasoning after draining and they don’t have that beautiful brothy water.
“I don’t know, it keeps me up at night.”
The debate ought to have been settled then and there but, if there’s a hill to die on, you can bet social media will deliver plenty of willing sacrifices.
However, the waters have been muddied somewhat by the particular brand of instant noodles she’s gone for: Maggi. These noodles have an additional note in the instructions that says they can be served “with or without broth as desired”.
Of course, ‘can’ doesn’t mean ‘should’, but if you want flavourless noodles then you do you. The police aren’t on their way.
“Drain water then add flavors, hits different,” said one commenter, referring to the sauce pouch included in many instant noodle pots.
“The flavor is stronger, not watered down,” said another who doesn’t seem to notice that they’re pouring most of the flavour away.
“Who wants soggy noodles?” asked another. Presumably this commenter opts not to include any water at all and just crunches through those noodles as they come. Fair play.
“I ain’t drinking soup, I’m eating noodles,” said another. “It’s the only way to eat it.” There’s a not-inconsiderable number of ramen and pho lovers around the world who would certainly disagree.
“The broth is the best part, that’s why I’m eating the noodles!” said someone looking to bring some sense back to the chat.
“WHO DRAINS THE LIQUID?!” said a caps-locked rager.
“The broth is better than the noodles,” added another.
Thankfully, a fence-sitter swooped in with their take, too: “You can add half of the flavoring then drain half the water and add the rest flavor for the best of both worlds.” Pick a side, Switzerland, moderate takes aren't welcome here.
Featured Image Credit: DigiPub via Getty ImagesTopics: TikTok
Rachael Davis