Why is Buldak Spicy Ramen classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is ultra-processed because it combines refined wheat flour, modified starches, refined palm oil and a suite of industrial additives; the main additives are soy lecithin (E322i), monosodium glutamate (E621), acidity regulators (E500i, E501i, E339ii), guar gum (E412), tocopherols (E306), paprika extract (E160c), riboflavin (E101) and citric acid (E330).

How does the sugar and salt content in Buldak Spicy Ramen affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

The product contains 6.7 g sugars per 100 g, which is lower than the category average but still adds to total carbohydrate intake, so people with diabetes need to watch portion sizes; its 2.9 g salt per 100 g is close to the average for instant noodles and can increase sodium intake, making it less suitable for hypertensive individuals unless consumed in moderation.

Is Buldak Spicy Ramen suitable for vegan, halal or gluten-free diets?

Because the noodles are made from wheat flour and include wheat gluten, the product is not gluten-free and cannot be used on a strict gluten-free diet; it does contain soy ingredients but carries a Halal label, so it is permissible for halal consumers, while the presence of wheat and possible animal-derived processing agents means it is not vegan.

Samyang • 135 g

Buldak Spicy Ramen

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Buldak Spicy Ramen is a plant-based instant noodle soup that falls under the "Cereals and potatoes" PNNS group, offering a quick-cook meal of wheat-based noodles combined with a spicy tomato-ketchup broth. The product is classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and contains numerous additives such as soy lecithin (E322i), monosodium glutamate (E621), various acidity regulators (E500i, E501i, E339ii), guar gum (E412), tocopherols (E306) and paprika extract (E160c), while also listing wheat, soy and gluten among its allergens. Nutritionally it provides 455 kcal, 10.4 g fat (including 5.9 g saturated fat), 2.9 g salt and 6.7 g sugars per 100 g, delivering more energy and fat than the average instant noodle but less sugar and comparable salt, and it is low in fiber (2.2 g) and contains 10.4 g protein.

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal456 kcal

Fat10.4 g

Saturated Fat5.9 g

Carbohydrates61.5 g

Sugars6.7 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical instant noodles, Buldak Spicy Ramen supplies higher energy (455 kcal vs 353 kcal) and fat (10.4 g vs 6.9 g), similar salt (2.9 g vs 2.96 g), lower sugar (6.7 g vs 9 g), far lower saturated fat (5.9 g vs 165.8 g), more protein (10.4 g vs 9.8 g) and less fiber (2.2 g vs 5.0 g).

Ingredients

NOODLE (73.7%): WHEAT FLOUR, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, REFINED PALM OIL, WHEAT GLUTEN, SALT, EMULSIFIER[SOY LECITHIN(E322(i))], ACIDITY REGULATOR[POTASSIUM CARBONATE(E501(i)), SODIUM CARBONATE(E500(i)), SODIUM PHOSPHATE DIBASIC(E339(ii))], THICKENER[GUAR GUM(E412)], TOCOPHEROLS (E306), GREEN TEA FLAVOR OIL, RIBOFLAVIN(E101), CITRIC ACID(E330). SOUP(25.2%): TOMATO KETCHUP (SOY), WATER, WHITE SUGAR, FLAVOUR ENHANCER[MONOSODIUM L-GLUTAMATE(E621)], ARTIFICIAL CHICKEN FLAVOR (WHEAT, SOY), ONION, CHILI PEPPER POWDER(SOY), ARTIFICIAL CHICKEN FLAVOR POWDER(WHEAT, SOY), SOYBEAN OIL, ONION POWDER, TOMATO POWDER, SOY SAUCE(WHEAT), YEAST POWDER, CHILI POWDER(WHEAT, SOY), VINEGAR, GARLIC, HOT SAUCE POWDER, DECOLORIZED CHILI EXTRACT, COLOUR[PAPRIKA EXTRACT(E160c)], BLACK PEPPER POWDER, THICKENER[MODIFIED POTATO STARCH(E1420)], JALAPENO PEPPER OIL(SOY), LIME FLAVOUR, CORIANDER LEAF FLAVOUR. FLAKE(1.1%): DRIED CARROT FLAKE, DRIED CABBAGE FLAKE, DRIED BOK CHOY.

84%

35%

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