Nissin Geki Hot & Spicy Korean Kimchi Ramen Cup Noodles
Red flags
- −Red flag: Contains TBHQ
- −Red flag: High sodium (1854.3mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (8.1g)
- −Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (7.7g)
Ingredients, decoded
23 listed- Noodle & Garnish (84.29%): Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)
- Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil)
- Tapioca Starch
- Dehydrated Pieces 4.29% (Kimchi Flakes, Red Chilli Rings, Red Chilli Flakes, Cabbage, Spring Onion)
- Iodised Salt
- Thickeners (INS 412 & INS 414)
- Acidity Regulators [INS 451(i) & INS 500(i)]
- Turmeric Powder & Antioxidant (INS 319)
- Seasoning Mix (9.29%): Sugar
- Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein Powder (Soya)
- Iodised Salt
- Soya Sauce Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Acidity Regulators (INS 330 & INS 260)
- Mixed Spices 5.09% (Red Chilli, Ginger, Cumin, Black Pepper, Turmeric, Coriander)
- Flavour Enhancers (INS 631 & INS 627)
- Natural Flavour
- Onion Powder
- Oleoresin Capsicum
- Colour [INS 160c(i)]
- Anticaking Agent (INS 551)
- Seasoning Oil (6.43%): Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmolein, Soya Bean Oil & Chilli Seed Oil)
- Colour [INS 160c(i)] & Oleoresin Rosemary
DC4
Our take
CleanPlate reviewReal kimchi flakes, very high salt
Nissin Geki Hot & Spicy Korean Kimchi is a cup of palm-fried maida noodles with a garnish led by dried kimchi flakes, a sugar-led seasoning and a palmolein chilli-oil sachet.
CleanPlate scores it DC4. The D for nutrition reflects modest protein and no declared fibre. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil, TBHQ and enhancers, helped by a real kimchi and vegetable garnish. The 4 for risk comes from very high sodium and saturated fat.
Claims vs reality
What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
- Product nameHolds
“Korean Kimchi”
Dried kimchi flakes lead a 4.29% garnish with chilli, cabbage and spring onion.
How DC4 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Low nutrient density
- Protein
- 7.7 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 464 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 & Garnish: Refined Whe...
- Main fat
- Edible Vegetable Oil
- Sweeteners
- Seasoning Mix: Su...
- Additives
- 8
- Flagged
- 4 ingredients
Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 5.3 g
- Sodium
- 1854.3 mg
- Saturated fat
- 8.1 g
- Trans fat
- 0.1 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 and garnish (84.29%) are maida, palm oil, tapioca starch, dried kimchi, chilli, cabbage and spring onion (4.29%), salt, guar gum and gum arabic, acidity regulators, turmeric and TBHQ. The seasoning (9.29%) is sugar, hydrolysed soy protein, salt, soya sauce powder, garlic, acidity regulators, spices (5.09%), enhancers, natural flavour, onion, oleoresin capsicum, paprika colour and anticaking agent. The oil (6.43%) is palmolein, soybean and chilli seed oil.
Per 100 g: 464 kcal, 18.1 g fat of which 8.1 g saturated, 1854 mg sodium, 5.3 g added sugar and 7.7 g protein.
Ingredients to watch
- SodiumConcern
1854 mg per 100 g; 1298 mg in one 70 g cup, 65% of the daily limit.
- Saturated fatConcern
8.1 g per 100 g.
- TBHQ (319)Concern
A synthetic antioxidant in the palm-fried noodle.
- Real kimchiFine
Dried kimchi flakes are listed in the garnish.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Dried kimchi flakes are probiotic"
Drying and boiling water leave no live cultures; the flakes add flavour, not gut benefit.
Myth: "MSG is what makes instant noodles unhealthy"
Flavour enhancers are not the main issue at food levels. The salt, the palm-fried refined flour and the lack of fibre matter far more.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsRarely
- ChildrenRarely; very spicy
- High blood pressureAvoid
Smarter ways to eat it
Add real kimchi
A spoon of fresh kimchi adds flavour so you can use half the seasoning.
Use half the sachet
Season the rest with fresh garlic, chilli, onion and a squeeze of lemon. The flavour stays; a large share of the sodium goes.
Common questions
Is Nissin Geki Hot & Spicy Korean Kimchi Ramen Cup Noodles healthy?
Nissin Geki Hot & Spicy Korean Kimchi Ramen Cup Noodles scores DC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: Contains TBHQ; High sodium (1854.3mg per 100g); High saturated fat (8.1g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: Source of protein (7.7g).
What does the DC4 score mean?
The first letter (D) grades nutritional value: low 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 Nissin Geki Hot & Spicy Korean Kimchi Ramen Cup Noodles should I watch?
Noodle & Garnish (84.29%): Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil) (Palm oil), Turmeric Powder & Antioxidant (INS 319) (TBHQ), Seasoning Oil (6.43%): Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmolein, Soya Bean Oil & Chilli Seed Oil) (Palmolein).
Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.
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