Why is Cup Noodles Big Soba Wok Style classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product receives a NOVA 4 rating because it is a ready‑to‑eat instant noodle that combines refined wheat flour, palm oil, a pre‑mixed seasoning sauce and several food‑industry additives; the label lists monosodium glutamate (E621), citric acid (E330), sodium carbonate (E500 i), triphosphates (E451) and a tocopherol‑rich extract (E306) among the ingredients.

How does the sugar and salt content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 5.3 g of sugars and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g, the noodle provides moderate sugar that can raise blood glucose levels and a salt amount that contributes about 480 mg of sodium, which may be too high for strict diabetic or blood‑pressure‑controlled diets and should be balanced with lower‑sugar, lower‑salt foods.

Is the wheat gluten in Cup Noodles a concern for people with celiac disease, and can vegans safely consume this product despite the presence of palm oil?

Yes, the wheat flour supplies gluten, making the noodles unsuitable for anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. The product is marketed as vegan because it contains no animal‑derived ingredients, but the inclusion of palm oil raises sustainability concerns for environmentally‑conscious vegans.

Cup Noodles

Cup Noodles Big Soba Wok Style

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Cup Noodles Big Soba Wok Style is an instant noodle meal that belongs to the Cereals and potatoes food group. Per 100 g it provides 177 kcal, 5.3 g protein, 7.8 g fat (3.6 g saturated), 5.3 g sugars and 1.2 g salt, offering a modest protein content and relatively low sugar and salt compared with typical instant meals. The product is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), contains several additives such as monosodium glutamate (E621), citric acid (E330), triphosphates (E451) and tocopherol‑rich extract (E306), includes palm oil and wheat gluten, making it unsuitable for gluten‑free diets and raising sustainability concerns.

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal204 kcal

Fat7.8 g

Saturated Fat3.6 g

Carbohydrates26.7 g

Sugars5.3 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for instant noodle products, this Cup Noodles version has lower sugars (5.3 g vs 9 g), lower salt (1.2 g vs 2.96 g), lower energy (177 kcal vs 353 kcal) and far less saturated fat, while its total fat (7.8 g) is slightly above the category mean.

Ingredients

Noodles 73,2% [WHEAT flour, palm oil, salt, flavour enhancer (monosodium glutamate), acidity regulators (sodium carbonate, citric acid) stabiliser (triphosphates), antioxidant (tocopherol-rich extract)], Seasoning sauce 20,7% [sugar, water, dextrose, rapeseed oil, flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate, disodium 5'-ribonucleotides), vinegar, soy sauce (water, llente protein, tomato powder, flavourings, acidity regulator (citric acid), chilli powder (0,5 % in minuti, seasoning sauce)], cabbage, red bell pepper.

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.