2PM Kimchi Ramen Instant Noodles
Red flags
- −Red flag: High sodium (1330mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (8.7g)
- −Red flag: Contains Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
- −Red flag: Contains Maltodextrin
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (10g)
Ingredients, decoded
39 listed- Noodle (80%): Wheat Flour
- Vegetable Oil
- Tapioca Starch
- Salt
- Raising Agent (Sodium Bicarbonate E500(ii))
- Acidity Regulator (Potassium Carbonate E501(i))
- Emulsifier [Sodium Triphosphate E451(i)] & Thickener (Guar Gum E412)
- Kimchi Seasoning (8.34%): Salt
- Garlic Powder
- Flavour Enhancer (Monosodium Glutamate E621, Disodium Guanylate E627, Disodium Inosinate E631)
- Chilli Powder
- Tomato Powder
- Sugar
- Starch
- Maltodextrin
- Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein
- Soya Sauce Powder
- Onion Powder
- Sesame
- Black Pepper
- Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid E330 & Malic Acid E296)
- Turmeric
- Coriander
- Paprika Extract
- Capsicum Powder
- Ginger
- Cumin
- & Anticaking Agent (Silicon Dioxide E551) and Stabilizer (Xanthan Gum E415)
- Dehydrated Kimchi Flakes (8.33%): Cabbage
- Chilli
- Radish
- Carrot
- Green Onion Leaves
- Ginger
- Salt
- Palmolein
- Paprika Extract
- Malic Acid & Preservative (Sodium Benzoate E211)
- Kimchi Flavoured Oil (3.33%): Palmolein & Kimchi Flavour
CC4
Our take
CleanPlate reviewReal kimchi flakes in a 150 g salty pack
2PM Kimchi Ramen is a fried wheat noodle with an MSG-based kimchi seasoning, a sachet of dried kimchi (cabbage, radish, chilli, carrot) that is 8.33% of the pack, and a palmolein kimchi oil.
CleanPlate scores it CC4. The C for nutrition is borderline, from protein and a little fibre. The C for ingredients reflects a refined noodle, palmolein, three enhancers and sodium benzoate, helped by real kimchi. The 4 for risk comes from very high sodium.
Claims vs reality
What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
- Product nameHolds
“Kimchi”
Dried kimchi flakes (cabbage, chilli, radish, carrot) are 8.33% of the pack.
- On the packBe careful
“Authentic kimchi taste”
The kimchi is real, but the oil is flavoured with kimchi flavour and the seasoning relies on MSG.
How CC4 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Adequate nutrient density
- Protein
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 2.2 g
- Vitamins and minerals
- Calcium, Iron, Potassium
- Energy
- 461 kcal
Scored on eight nutrients (protein, fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D and zinc), per 100 g and per 100 kcal.
Mixed processing and additives
- Base
- Noodle: Wheat Flour
- Main fat
- Vegetable Oil
- Sweeteners
- Sugar, Maltodextrin
- Additives
- 9
- Flagged
- 4 ingredients
Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 0.52 g
- Sodium
- 1330 mg
- Saturated fat
- 8.7 g
- Trans fat
- 0 g
Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
The noodle (80%) is wheat flour, vegetable oil, tapioca starch, salt, raising agent, acidity regulator, a phosphate and guar gum. The seasoning (8.34%) is salt, garlic, MSG with 627 and 631, chilli, tomato, sugar, starch, maltodextrin, hydrolysed protein, soya sauce powder, onion, sesame, pepper, acids, spices, paprika, anticaking agent and xanthan. The kimchi flakes (8.33%) are cabbage, chilli, radish, carrot, green onion, ginger, salt, palmolein, paprika, malic acid and sodium benzoate. The oil (3.33%) is palmolein with kimchi flavour.
Per 100 g: 461 kcal, 17.7 g fat of which 8.7 g saturated, 1330 mg sodium, 0.5 g added sugar, 10 g protein and 2.2 g fibre.
Ingredients to watch
- SodiumConcern
1330 mg per 100 g; 1995 mg in the 150 g pack.
- Saturated fatConcern
8.7 g per 100 g from palmolein.
- PreservativeWorth watching
Sodium benzoate in the kimchi flakes.
- Real kimchiFine
Dried kimchi is 8.33% of the pack.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Kimchi ramen is probiotic"
The kimchi is dried and then boiled; any live cultures are gone.
Myth: "MSG is what makes instant noodles unhealthy"
Flavour enhancers are not the main issue at food levels. The salt and the palm-fried noodle matter far more.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsRarely; share the pack
- ChildrenRarely; spicy
- High blood pressureAvoid
Smarter ways to eat it
Share the pack
The 150 g pack holds a full day's sodium; split it between two.
Add fresh vegetables
Cabbage, spring onion or tofu stretch the bowl.
Common questions
Is 2PM Kimchi Ramen Instant Noodles healthy?
2PM Kimchi Ramen Instant Noodles scores CC4 (Fair) on CleanPlate, which makes it an occasional-use product, where the concerns start to outweigh the positives. The main concerns are: High sodium (1330mg per 100g); High saturated fat (8.7g); Contains Monosodium Glutamate (MSG); Contains Maltodextrin. On the plus side: Source of protein (10g).
What does the CC4 score mean?
The first letter (C) grades nutritional value: adequate nutrient density. The second letter (C) grades ingredient and label integrity: mixed processing and additives. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.
Which ingredients in 2PM Kimchi Ramen Instant Noodles should I watch?
Flavour Enhancer (Monosodium Glutamate E621, Disodium Guanylate E627, Disodium Inosinate E631) (Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)), Maltodextrin (Maltodextrin), Palmolein (Palmolein), Malic Acid & Preservative (Sodium Benzoate E211) (Sodium Benzoate), Kimchi Flavoured Oil (3.33%): Palmolein & Kimchi Flavour (Palmolein).
Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.
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