5 Instant Noodle Flavours You’ll Want to Bring Home From Batam (Dry Version)
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
Indonesia is an instant noodle paradise, with Indomie being the most chosen instant noodle brand in the world for several years running.
While we get a pretty wide range of brands and flavours here in Malaysia, it’s only a small fraction of what’s available there. Walk into any convenience store or grocery, and you’ll see multiple shelves of mie instan that’ll have you spoilt for choice.
1. Indomie Rasa Dendeng Balado
Photo Source: Indomie via YouTube
If you like a bit of zest in your spice, this one’s for you.
Dendeng balado is a popular West Sumatran dish made with thinly sliced beef coated in a fiery red chilli sambal made with a hint of lime juice.
Indomie’s version captures that signature sweet, spicy, and slightly tangy profile, complemented with that beefy umami. It’s addictive, aromatic, and - if you like a bit of zest in your spice - this one’s for you.
2. Mie Sedaap Tasty Bakmi Ayam Geprek Matah
Photo Source: Domo Bramantyo via YouTube
Ayam geprek is an Indonesian favourite. But this version goes a step further by pairing it with sambal matah, a raw Balinese chilli relish made with shallots, lemongrass, kaffir lime, and chillies.
How this translates to instant noodles work better than you might think. This is because Mie Sedaap Tasty is a premium range that actually includes real meat!
What you get is chicken with crunch from their iconic kruik kruik fried onion pieces, and the bright, fresh flavours of sambal matah all in one bowl.
3. ABC Selera Pedas Saus Kacang Pedas
Photo Source: BigGo Indonesia
ABC is known for its sambal, so it’s no surprise their instant noodles deliver strong flavours too.
This one is a spicy peanut sauce flavour that closely resembles satay sauce. It might seem a little strange to pair this taste with noodles, but its nutty, savoury, and surprisingly comforting. If you’re the type that orders extra bowls of kuah satay, you’ll want to put this in your cart.
4. Indomie Goreng Sambal Rica-Rica
Photo Source: Asian Food 4 U
Don’t let the name fool you. Rica-Rica is a sambal from North Sulawesi that’s infamous for it’s intense spiciness, even by Indonesian standards.
Indomie’s goreng version captures that signature flavour and that signature heat. Bold, zesty, and incredibly aromatic, this one will either have you grabbing another bite or a large glass of milk.
5. Lemonilo Rasa Mi Goreng
Photo Source: Ayo Surabaya
This brand positions itself as a cleaner, healthier instant noodle. They’re made without preservatives, flavour enhancers, and artificial colors; and the noodles are baked instead of fried.
This results in gentler, natural flavours and a lighter feel that’s slowly gaining Lemonilo an international cult following.
Unlike the other brands on this list, Lemonilo can be a little harder to find. Be sure to grab one if you see it!
Getting to Batam is as easy as preparing instant noodles
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
From Berjaya Waterfront, boarding is fuss-free and the air-conditioned high-speed ferry gets you across in about 70 minutes — not quite ready in 2 minutes, but still impressively fast and convenient.
Once you’re there, the snack aisles are yours to explore. Here’s a protip - instant noodles and other grocery items make affordable, practical souvenirs. Click here to read our guide on the best grocery store items to bring home.
If you’re planning to bring back instant noodles in bulk, ask your ferry operator at Berjaya Waterfront about weight and baggage limits so you don’t end up with surprise excess baggage charges!