Our Honest Review of Fly By Jing's New Instant Noodles

In the past, instant ramen was largely synonymous with the poor college student meal, an affordable and quick — but not necessarily delicious — staple found in dorm rooms everywhere. Known for its ultra-budget price and limited flavors, options were often confined to familiar brands like Maruchan, Sapporo Ichiban, and Nissin.

Instant ramen has undergone a bit of a glow-up in recent years. Today, the market is filled with a wide variety of instant noodle options from both international brands like Korea’s Nongshim and Samyang, to more artisanal offerings from Momofuku, Public Goods, and Immi, which aim to deliver restaurant-quality flavors in a same convenient form. With more flavors, higher-quality ingredients, and carefully crafted seasonings, the humble instant noodle is now a versatile and exciting pantry staple that continues to appeal to everyone.

Chili crisp specialist Fly By Jing is one of the latest brands to join this growing trend, offering their unique Sichuan-inspired instant noodles in two bold flavors, Chili Crisp and Sweet & Spicy, that promise to elevate the instant noodle experience even further.

What Is Fly By Jing?

Chengdu, China native Jing Gao founded Fly By Jing in 2018 as a way to honor and preserve her Sichuan heritage. The premium food company is best known for its signature Sichuan Chili Crisp, which has gained a loyal fan base for its depth of flavor, balancing a spicy umami with an irresistible textural crunch. Today, Fly by Jing produces several condiments and seasonings, including chili oil variations like the soy bean-studded Chengdu Crunch, and tangy Chili Crisp Vinaigrette.

Following the success of their sauces, Fly By Jing has expanded its lineup to another pantry staple — instant noodles — promising to deliver their signature taste in a new, accessible way. This isn’t the first time Fly By Jing has moved beyond condiments. It makes a hot pot base and also had a line of frozen soup dumplings that was discontinued in 2023.

How We Tested

Fly By Jing’s instant noodles come in two flavors that feature its existing condiments: Chili Crisp and Sweet & Spicy. To test, I prepared them exactly as the package instructions suggested. This involved boiling the noodles for six minutes, then draining and mixing in the included sauce and seasoning packets. Both came with the same squiggly wheat noodles, along with soy vinegar and dried chives. The Sweet & Spicy also had a packet of spicy zhong sauce, while the Chili Crisp included the Sichuan chili crisp, plus a shallot sauce.

I tested the flavors in separate sittings so I could fully sample each one’s unique profiles without overlapping the tasting experience. I also first tasted each bowl as is with no additional toppings or add-ins, then made each one a second time the way I would normally as a work-from-home lunch: with whatever odds and ends I had sitting in the fridge and freezer, which so happened to be leftover hotpot ingredients like tofu puffs and fishballs.

What We Like About Fly By Jing’s Instant Noodles

Fly By Jing has managed to deliver both convenience and flavor with its instant noodles. The cooking directions were simple and straightforward, making it a great hassle-free meal that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. It didn’t take much longer to cook than my usual go-to instant ramen, Nongshim’s Neoguri Spicy Seafood. From my tests, the recommended six-minute boiling time was spot on and yielded bouncy, chewy al dente noodles. The sauce is thick and clings nicely to the noodles, ensuring that each bite is consistently flavorful and satisfying (just be sure to toss the noodles in a big bowl to minimize splatters).

In terms of flavor, both variations were rich and layered, unlike some instant ramens that feel a one-note salt bomb. These had balanced levels of umami and spice — there’s definitely a kick (as expected), but not so much that it completely overwhelms your palate. The Sweet & Spicy has subtle sweetness that tempers the heat. The Chili Crisp noodles stay true to Fly By Jing’s original condiment, providing a delicious combination of spice, crunch, and mouth-numbing tingle that the Sichuan peppercorn is known for.

What Fly By Jing’s Instant Noodles Could Do Better

The biggest drawback of Fly By Jing’s instant noodles is the cost. They currently retail at $35 for a package of six on Fly By Jing’s website and Amazon, which is on the pricier side for instant noodles. But given the company’s commitment to quality and sourcing, the price aligns with the premium nature of its product. For example, the noodles sun-dried for 12 hours rather than fried as many others are, and the sauces contain non-GMO rapeseed oil and no preservatives. The portion also looks small at first, but once the noodles were fully cooked, it actually yields a hearty bowlful that could easily feed two if you add some proteins and vegetables.

The only ingredient that felt lackluster was the dried chives. Perhaps it was because they were so tiny, but the chives were barely discernible texturally or flavor-wise in either flavor. I much preferred the veggie packets that come with Nongshim’s instant ramens, which usually add a nice textural contrast.

Who Should Buy This?

Fly By Jing’s instant noodles are an ideal purchase for fans of the brand or those who enjoy trying high-quality food products. If you love bold, complex flavors and are a fan of Fly By Jing’s existing lineup, you’ll likely find these noodles a fantastic addition to your pantry. They’re also a great option for home cooks who want a gourmet instant noodle experience that goes beyond the typical grocery store options. For anyone hesitant about the higher price, consider these noodles a specialty item — perhaps not for everyday snacking, but for times when you want to treat yourself to something more elevated than the standard instant ramen.