Why is Kimchi Ramen classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is made from pre‑cooked noodles, seasoning powders and vegetable flakes that are dried, blended and packaged, a process typical of ultra‑processed foods; it lists eleven additives including acidity regulators E501 and E500, anti‑oxidant E306, emulsifier E322 (soy‑derived), thickeners E339 and E500, flavor enhancers E621, E627 and E631, colorants E101 and E150c, and a green‑tea extract.

How does the sugar and salt content in Kimchi Ramen affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g, the product is below the average for instant noodles, which helps limit blood‑glucose spikes, but its 4.5 g of salt (equivalent to 1.8 g sodium) far exceeds typical recommendations and can raise blood pressure, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic or hypertensive meal plans without careful portion control.

Based on its ingredients, is Kimchi Ramen suitable for strict diets such as vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free?

The ramen is certified vegan and halal, so it meets those dietary restrictions, but it contains wheat flour and wheat starch, making it unsuitable for gluten‑free diets, and its high carbohydrate (68 g) and moderate fat content place it outside typical keto guidelines.

Nongshim • 120g

Kimchi Ramen

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Kimchi Ramen is an instant noodle soup from South Korea, marketed as a vegan and halal‑friendly plant‑based product belonging to the Cereals and potatoes (Cereals) PNNS group. It is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and carries no official Nutri‑Score, with a high fat (13 g), saturated fat (6.5 g) and salt (4.5 g) content per 100 g, while providing 427 kcal and 9.6 g of protein. The formulation includes wheat flour, palm oil, soy and several additives such as E501, E322 and flavor enhancers, resulting in a product that is high in calories and sodium but low in sugars compared with typical instant noodles.

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal427 kcal

Fat13 g

Saturated Fat6.5 g

Trans Fat0 g

Carbohydrates68 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average instant‑noodle profile, Kimchi Ramen contains less sugar (4.9 g vs 8.94 g) but more fat (13 g vs 6.93 g), markedly higher salt (4.5 g vs 2.94 g) and delivers about 20 % more energy (427 kcal vs 353 kcal per 100 g).

Ingredients

Nudeln 87% (_Weizen_mehl, Kartoffelstärke, Palmöl, Salz, Säureregulatoren: E501, E500, E339, Antioxidationsmittel: E306, Emulgator: E322 (enthält _Soja_), Würzmittel (Hefeextrakt, _Soja_bohnen, Knoblauch, Weizenstärke), Grüner Tee-Extrakt, Farbstoff: E101), WÜRZPULVER 10% (Würzmittel (Maltodextrin, hydrolysiertes Pflanzeneiweiß (_Soja_, _Weizen_), Salz, Hefeextrakt, _Senf_öl), Salz, Zucker, Geschmacksverstärker E621, E627, E631, Würzmittel (Maltodextrin, Knoblauch, Glukose, schwarzer Pfeffer), Säuerungsmittel: E330, Farbstoff: E150c), GEMÜSE-FLOCKEN 3% (Kimchi Chinakohl-Flocken (Chinakohl, Knoblauch, rote Chilischoten), Pak-Choi, Karotten, Frühlingszwiebeln), Kann Gerste, Krebstiere, Eier, Fisch, Erdnüsse, Milch, Sellerie, Sesamsamen und Weichtiere enthalten,

84%

35%

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