Brandwave

Maggi vs Wai Wai:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Maggi had more branded searches than Wai Wai among instant noodle brands in New Zealand. Maggi had about 3,560 branded searches, while Wai Wai had 380. Maggi made up 15.7% of all instant noodle brand searches we track, and Wai Wai accounted for 1.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about instant noodle brands, Maggi appeared in three of the five answers and Wai Wai in none.

Among instant noodle brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Maggi, about 9 searches for every 1 for Wai Wai

Maggi 3.6K searchesWai Wai 380 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Maggi, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Wai Wai in 0

Maggi in 3 of 5Wai Wai in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Maggi, the only one of the two named

Maggi first in 3Wai Wai never named

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Top instant noodle brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Maggi was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Wai Wai did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Indomie1st
  2. Nongshim2nd
  3. Samyang3rd
  4. Ottogi4th
  5. Maggi5th
  6. Nissin6th
  7. Wai Wai–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Indomie5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Samyang4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Nongshim4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Maggi3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Nissin3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ottogi2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Wai Wai0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about instant noodle brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Maggi or Wai Wai more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Maggi and Wai Wai by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven instant noodle brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Maggi and Wai Wai among instant noodle brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Maggi, Wai Wai. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthSamyangIndomieNongshimMaggiNissinOttogiWai Wai
Oct 202538.6%19.3%19.5%16.8%2.4%1.9%1.6%
Nov 202539.3%20.7%18.8%16%2.3%1.6%1.4%
Dec 202535.8%22.2%21.4%14.9%2.4%1.4%2%
Jan 202635%20.9%21.5%16.9%2.6%1.5%1.5%
Feb 202636.8%22.6%18%16%2.7%1.9%2%
Mar 202631.5%24.4%21.6%15.7%2.8%2.1%1.9%
Apr 202633.4%22.9%20.7%16.3%2.8%1.9%2%
May 202630.9%23.3%20.8%17.1%3.8%2.2%1.8%
Jun 202631.1%22.8%21.6%17.2%3.4%2.2%1.6%
Jul 202632.9%20.2%22.3%16.2%3.6%3.2%1.6%
Aug 202633.6%20.7%21.2%16.8%3.6%2.4%1.7%
Sep 202636.4%23.1%18.7%15.7%2.5%2%1.7%

How has the Maggi and Wai Wai comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Maggi was ahead of Wai Wai in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Maggi’s share of searches among instant noodle brands in New Zealand moved from 16.8% to 15.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.7K to 3.6K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wai Wai’s share of searches among instant noodle brands in New Zealand moved from 1.6% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 350 to 380.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand instant noodle brands in September 2026?

1 change
  1. In September 2026, Maggi lost share of searches among instant noodle brands in New Zealand, from 16.8% to 15.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

21 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Maggi’s and Wai Wai’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Maggi

16 branded search terms

  • curry noodles maggi
  • maggi
  • maggi beef noodles
  • maggi carbonara
  • maggi cubes
  • maggi cuppa noodles
  • maggi curried sausages
  • maggi curry
  • maggi devilled sausages
  • maggi indian noodles
  • maggi masala
  • maggi noodles
  • maggi ramen
  • maggi sauces
  • maggi season
  • maggi stroganoff

Wai Wai

5 branded search terms

  • noodle wai wai
  • wai wai
  • wai wai noodles
  • wai wai vermicelli
  • wai wai xpress

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among instant noodle brands

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