NissinInstant Noodles#67 of 85 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Nissin Geki Spicy Cheese Korean Ramen Noodles

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (1559.1mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (6.7g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (9g)

Ingredients, decoded

28 listed
  • Noodles (81.25%): Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)
  • Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil)
  • Tapioca Starch
  • Iodised Salt
  • Acidity Regulators [INS 451(i) & INS 500(i)]
  • Turmeric Powder
  • Thickener (INS 412) & Antioxidant (INS 319)
  • Seasoning Mix (12.5%): Sugar
  • Skimmed Milk Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein Powder (Soya)
  • Roasted Sesame Seeds
  • Iodised Salt
  • Onion Powder
  • Flavour Enhancers (INS 631 & INS 627)
  • Yeast Extract Powder
  • Mixed Spices 1.66% (Ginger, Black Pepper, Red Chilli, Cumin & Turmeric)
  • Flavours (Natural & Nature Identical)
  • Acidity Regulator (INS 330)
  • Tomato Powder
  • Colour [INS 160c(i)]
  • Oleoresin Capsicum & Anticaking Agent (INS 551)
  • Cheese Powder Mix (6.25%): Skimmed Milk Powder
  • Palm Fat
  • Cheese Powder
  • Nature Identical Flavour
  • Yeast Extract Powder
  • Colour [INS 160c(i)] & Turmeric Powder
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy439.6 kcal
Protein9 g
Carbohydrates69.9 g
Total sugars4.8 g
Added sugars3.7 g
Total fat13 g
Saturated fat6.7 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Cholesterol1.2 mg
Sodium1559.1 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

More milk powder than cheese, plenty of salt

Nissin Geki Spicy Cheese is a palm-fried maida noodle with a sweet garlic-chilli seasoning and a "cheese powder mix" made mostly of skimmed milk powder and palm fat, with cheese powder third.

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, with a small penalty because the cheese is a minor part of its own sachet. 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 name

    “Spicy Cheese”

    Partly true

    Cheese powder is present but comes third in its sachet, after skimmed milk powder and palm fat.

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
9 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
440 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...
Additives
6
Flagged
3 ingredients

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

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Added sugar
3.7 g
Sodium
1559.1 mg
Saturated fat
6.7 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 noodles (81.25%) are maida, palm oil, tapioca starch, salt, acidity regulators, turmeric, guar gum and TBHQ. The seasoning (12.5%) is sugar, skimmed milk powder, garlic, hydrolysed soy protein, sesame, salt, onion, enhancers, yeast extract, spices, flavourings, citric acid, tomato, paprika colour and anticaking agent. The cheese mix (6.25%) is skimmed milk powder, palm fat, cheese powder, flavour, yeast extract, colour and turmeric.

Per 100 g: 440 kcal, 13 g fat of which 6.7 g saturated, 1559 mg sodium, 3.7 g added sugar and 9 g protein.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    1559 mg per 100 g; 1247 mg in one 80 g pack, 62% of the daily limit.

  • TBHQ (319)Concern

    A synthetic antioxidant in the palm-fried noodle.

  • CheeseWorth watching

    Mostly milk powder and palm fat in the cheese sachet.

  • FatFine

    13 g fat per 100 g, moderate for a fried noodle.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Cheese noodles give you calcium"

No calcium is declared, and the cheese is a small share of one sachet.

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; use half the seasoning
  • ChildrenA treat
  • High blood pressureAvoid

Smarter ways to eat it

Add real cheese

Grate a little real cheese on top and use half the sachets.

Make it a meal

Add an egg, paneer, tofu or boiled chana and a handful of vegetables so the bowl brings protein and fibre, not just refined flour.

Common questions

Is Nissin Geki Spicy Cheese Korean Ramen Noodles healthy?

Nissin Geki Spicy Cheese Korean Ramen 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 (1559.1mg per 100g); High saturated fat (6.7g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: Source of protein (9g).

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 Spicy Cheese Korean Ramen Noodles should I watch?

Noodles (81.25%): Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil) (Palm oil), Thickener (INS 412) & Antioxidant (INS 319) (TBHQ).

Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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