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Nongshim Shin Ramyun
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Instant noodle soups

Nongshim Shin Ramyun

120 g

Bad out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains sugar alcohols
  • Contains seed oils
  • Contains caffeine
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Why it scores 13

Nongshim Shin Ramyun scores 13 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Fructose: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
  3. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better instant noodles and ramen

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Shin Ramyun

START100

Ingredients

  • Fructose
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Corn syrup
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
subtotal−50

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: emulsifier, flavor enhancer, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, sugar alcohol (polyol) and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−25.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 4 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. [5]
  • Salt 2 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [6]
  • Energy 425 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
subtotal−12
TOTAL 13Bad

100 − 87.5 = 12.5 → 13

Can’t score above 79. Contains fructose, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]

GTIN 00031146150601 · 2026-09-26

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy425 kcal
Fat8 g
Saturated fat4 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates41 g
Sugars2 g
Added sugars1.7 g
Fiber2 g
Protein5 g
Salt2 g

Serving: 1 bag (120 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

NOODLES: WHEAT FLOUR, STARCHES (POTATO, WHEAT), VEGETABLE OIL (CONTAINS ANTIOXIDANT (307B)), SALT, MINERAL SALTS (501, 500, 452, 339), EMULSIFIER (322, (SOY)), SOY SAUCE, GREEN TEA EXTRACT. SOUP POWDER: HYDROLYSED VEGETABLE PROTEIN (SOY, CORN) SALT MALTODEXTRIN, YEAST EXTRACT, SOY SAUCE, SPICES SUGAR, FRUCTOSE, SWEETENER (420), FLAVOUR ENHANCERS (627, 621, 631), SOYBEAN, WHEAT FLOUR, VEGETABLES OILS CONTAIN SOY), THICKENER (414), CORN FLOUR, GLUCOSE, VEGETABLES, EMULSIFIER (322, SOY). FLAKES: DRIED VEGETABLES, SOYBEAN, SOY SAUCE, WHEAT GLUTEN, YEAST EXTRACT, SUGAR, SALT, COCOA, CORN STARCH, VEGETABLE OIL (SOY). ALLERGY INFORMATION: CONTAINS WHEAT AND SOY. PRODUCED IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES PRODUCT THAT CONTAINS EGG, PEANUTS, MILK AND TREE NUTS. STORAGE REQUIREMENTS: KEEP IN A COOL DRY PLACE. IN AUSTRALIA PPORTED BY: NONGSHIM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD. SUITE 2.8, 56 DELHI ROAD, NORTH RYDE, NSW 2113 AUSTRALIA (02) 9870-7178

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Egg

May contain: Fish

  • Not gluten-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Plastic

Context only: no points in v1.

Healthiest instant noodle soups in the US

More from Nongshim

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  6. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int

  7. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  8. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  9. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  10. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  11. 21 CFR 184.1835 Sorbitol

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ““Excess consumption may have a laxative effect.””

    ecfr.gov

  12. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”

    doi.org

  13. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  14. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  15. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams* a day — that's about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee — as an amount not generally associated with negative effects.”

    fda.gov

  16. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 4.1 (beverages with high caffeine content)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women’”

    eur-lex.europa.eu