NissinInstant Noodles#66 of 85 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Nissin Geki Kimcheese Korean Ramen Flavoured Instant Noodles (Cheese Twister)

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (2329.3mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (6g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (7.7g)

Ingredients, decoded

29 listed
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy441.3 kcal
Protein7.7 g
Carbohydrates69.9 g
Total sugars4 g
Added sugars3 g
Total fat13 g
Saturated fat6 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Cholesterol0.95 mg
Sodium2329.3 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

A day and a half of salt in one pack

Nissin Geki Kimcheese is a 130 g palm-fried maida noodle with a sweet chilli-garlic seasoning, a small chilli-oil sachet and a "Cheese Twister" of cheddar cheese powder, maltodextrin, salt, glutamate and artificial cheddar flavour.

CleanPlate scores it [L]DC4. The [L] marks the cheese claim: real cheese is present but topped up with artificial cheese flavour. The D for nutrition reflects modest protein and no declared fibre. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil, TBHQ, several enhancers and artificial flavour. The 4 for risk comes from extreme sodium.

Claims vs reality

What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.

  • On the pack

    “Cheese Twister”

    Misleading

    Cheddar cheese powder leads the sachet, but the sachet also relies on artificial cheddar cheese flavour and glutamate (620).

  • Product name

    “Kimcheese”

    Be careful

    No kimchi is listed; the kimchi side is a flavour made from sugar, soy, garlic, chilli and added acids.

How DC4 breaks down

Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.

How we score →
01 Nutritional valueA to E
D

Low nutrient density

Protein
7.7 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
441 kcal

Scored on eight nutrients (protein, fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D and zinc), per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
C

Mixed processing and additives

Base
Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour
Main fat
Edible Vegetable Oil
Sweeteners
Seasoning Mix: Su..., Maltodextrin
Additives
7
Flagged
5 ingredients
Artificial flavour or colour
Yes

Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Added sugar
3 g
Sodium
2329.3 mg
Saturated fat
6 g
Trans fat
0.1 g

Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.

[L] The name or pack claims promise more than the ingredient list delivers. See Claims vs reality.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

The noodles (81.16%) are maida, palm oil, tapioca starch, salt, acidity regulators, guar gum, turmeric and TBHQ. The seasoning (10%) is sugar, hydrolysed soy protein, soya sauce powder, garlic, salt, spices (4.53%), acidity regulators, enhancers, onion, natural flavour, chilli flakes, spring onion, tomato and anticaking agent. The Cheese Twister (6.15%) is cheddar cheese powder, maltodextrin, salt, enhancer 620, anticaking agent, artificial cheddar cheese flavour and turmeric. The oil (2.69%) is palmolein, soybean and chilli seed oil.

Per 100 g: 441 kcal, 13 g fat of which 6 g saturated, 2329 mg sodium, 3 g added sugar and 7.7 g protein.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    2329 mg per 100 g; 3028 mg in the pack, 151% of the daily limit.

  • Artificial flavourConcern

    Artificial cheddar cheese flavour plus three flavour enhancers.

  • TBHQ (319)Concern

    A synthetic antioxidant in the palm-fried noodle.

  • Pack sizeWorth watching

    130 g is sold as one serve.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "The twister is just cheese"

It is cheese powder with maltodextrin, salt, glutamate and artificial cheese flavour.

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, and share the pack
  • ChildrenNot recommended
  • High blood pressureAvoid

Smarter ways to eat it

Split it and skip the twister

Share the 130 g pack between two and leave out the Cheese Twister, which is mostly salt, glutamate and flavour on top of the cheese.

Add real cheese and kimchi

A slice of real cheese and a spoon of kimchi give the named flavours with far less sodium.

Common questions

Is Nissin Geki Kimcheese Korean Ramen Flavoured Instant Noodles (Cheese Twister) healthy?

Nissin Geki Kimcheese Korean Ramen Flavoured Instant Noodles (Cheese Twister) 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 (2329.3mg per 100g); High saturated fat (6g); 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 Kimcheese Korean Ramen Flavoured Instant Noodles (Cheese Twister) should I watch?

Noodles (81.16%): Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil) (Palm oil), Thickener (INS 412) & Antioxidant (INS 319) (TBHQ), Maltodextrin (Maltodextrin), Seasoning Oil (2.69%): 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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