NissinInstant Noodles#68 of 85 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Nissin Geki Truffcarbo Korean Ramen Instant Noodles (Truffle Twister)

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (1848.9mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (6.6g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (9.2g)

Ingredients, decoded

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

DC4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy450.2 kcal
Protein9.2 g
Carbohydrates68.4 g
Total sugars6.9 g
Added sugars5.8 g
Total fat14.1 g
Saturated fat6.6 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Cholesterol0.89 mg
Sodium1848.9 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Truffle on the pack, none in the noodles

Nissin Geki Truffcarbo is a 130 g palm-fried maida noodle with a carbonara-style seasoning of sugar, cheese powder, pepper and a palm-coconut fat powder, a chilli-oil sachet and a "Truffle Twister" of cheese powders, maltodextrin, enhancers and flavourings. No truffle is listed anywhere.

CleanPlate scores it [L]DC4. The [L] marks the truffle name: the named ingredient is absent. The D for nutrition reflects modest protein and no declared fibre. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil, TBHQ, an emulsifier and enhancers. 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

    “Truffcarbo / Truffle Twister”

    Misleading

    No truffle or truffle flavour is listed. The Truffle Twister is cheddar and cheese powder, maltodextrin, three enhancers, salt, sugar, unnamed flavourings, pepper and clove.

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
9.2 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
450 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
3 types
Additives
8
Flagged
5 ingredients

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

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Added sugar
5.8 g
Sodium
1848.9 mg
Saturated fat
6.6 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 (77.77%) are maida, palm oil, tapioca starch, salt, acidity regulators, guar gum, turmeric and TBHQ. The seasoning (14.15%) is sugar, cheese powder, salt, pepper and chilli (6.43%), enhancers, a fat powder with emulsifier 471 and TBHQ, skimmed milk powder, soya sauce powder, flavourings, chilli flakes, yeast extract, garlic, onion, parsley, citric acid and xanthan gum. The Truffle Twister (4.31%) is cheddar and cheese powder, maltodextrin, enhancers, salt, sugar, flavourings, pepper and clove. The oil (3.77%) is palmolein, soybean and chilli seed oil.

Per 100 g: 450 kcal, 14.1 g fat of which 6.6 g saturated, 1849 mg sodium, 5.8 g added sugar and 9.2 g protein.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    1849 mg per 100 g; 2404 mg in the pack, 120% of the daily limit.

  • No truffleConcern

    The named ingredient is not in the pack.

  • TBHQ (319)Concern

    A synthetic antioxidant in the palm-fried noodle.

  • Added sugarWorth watching

    5.8 g per 100 g.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Truffle Twister means real truffle"

Nothing truffle-derived is listed; the pack photo marks the truffle as a suggested garnish.

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

Share the pack

The 130 g pack is sold as one serve; split it and add vegetables or an egg.

Skip the twister

Grated real cheese and cracked black pepper give the carbonara side without the extra salt and enhancers in the Truffle Twister.

Common questions

Is Nissin Geki Truffcarbo Korean Ramen Instant Noodles (Truffle Twister) healthy?

Nissin Geki Truffcarbo Korean Ramen Instant Noodles (Truffle 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 (1848.9mg per 100g); High saturated fat (6.6g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: Source of protein (9.2g).

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 Truffcarbo Korean Ramen Instant Noodles (Truffle Twister) should I watch?

Noodles (77.77%): Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil) (Palm oil), Thickener (INS 412) & Antioxidant (INS 319) (TBHQ), Fat Powder [Milk Solids, Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil & Coconut Oil), Anticaking Agent (INS 551), Emulsifier (INS 471) & Antioxidant (INS 319)] (TBHQ), Maltodextrin (Maltodextrin), Seasoning Oil (3.77%): 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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