NissinInstant Noodles#70 of 85 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Nissin Korean Army Stew Cup Noodles (Kimchi Jjigae Hotpot)

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High sodium (2415.4mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (8.3g)
  • Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (8.9g)

Ingredients, decoded

20 listed
  • Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)
  • Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil)
  • Sugar
  • Dehydrated Pieces 4.19% (Kimchi, Carrot, Cabbage, Red Chilli & Spring Onion)
  • Iodised Salt
  • Maltodextrin
  • Soya Sauce Powder
  • Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein Powder (Soya)
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Flavour Enhancers (INS 631 & INS 627)
  • Mixed Spices 0.46% (Black Pepper, Red Chilli, Ginger)
  • Skimmed Milk Powder
  • Acidity Regulators [INS 500(i), INS 451(i) & INS 330]
  • Yeast Extract Powder
  • Flavours (Natural & Nature Identical Flavours)
  • Thickeners (INS 415 & INS 412)
  • Anticaking Agent (INS 551)
  • Colour [INS 160c(i)]
  • Oleoresin Capsicum & Antioxidant (INS 319)
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DC4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionCIngredients4Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy461.7 kcal
Protein8.9 g
Carbohydrates66 g
Total sugars4.1 g
Added sugars4.1 g
Total fat17.1 g
Saturated fat8.3 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Cholesterol0.1 mg
Sodium2415.4 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

91% of a day's salt in one cup

Nissin Korean Army Stew is a cup of palm-fried maida noodles with dried kimchi, carrot, cabbage and chilli, and a sweet soy-garlic seasoning where sugar is the third ingredient.

CleanPlate scores it DC4. The D for nutrition reflects modest protein and no declared fibre. The C for ingredients reflects maida, palm oil, TBHQ, maltodextrin and enhancers, helped by a real kimchi garnish. The 4 for risk comes from extreme sodium.

Claims vs reality

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

  • Product name

    “Korean Army Stew (Kimchi Jjigae Hotpot)”

    Be careful

    Dried kimchi is listed, but the dish is traditionally built on sausage, ham and tofu; this cup has noodles, a little kimchi and a salty broth.

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
8.9 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
462 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
Refined Wheat Flour
Main fat
Edible Vegetable Oil
Sweeteners
Sugar, Maltodextrin
Additives
7
Flagged
4 ingredients

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

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Added sugar
4.1 g
Sodium
2415.4 mg
Saturated fat
8.3 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?

Maida, palm oil, sugar, dried kimchi, carrot, cabbage, chilli and spring onion (4.19%), salt, maltodextrin, soya sauce powder, hydrolysed soy protein, onion, garlic, enhancers 631 and 627, spices (0.46%), skimmed milk powder, acidity regulators, yeast extract, flavourings, xanthan and guar gum, anticaking agent, paprika colour, oleoresin capsicum and TBHQ.

Per 100 g: 462 kcal, 17.1 g fat of which 8.3 g saturated, 2415 mg sodium, 4.1 g added sugar and 8.9 g protein.

Ingredients to watch

  • SodiumConcern

    2415 mg per 100 g; 1812 mg in one 75 g cup, 91% of the daily limit.

  • Saturated fatConcern

    8.3 g per 100 g from palm oil.

  • SugarWorth watching

    Third ingredient; 4.1 g added per 100 g.

  • TBHQ (319)Concern

    A synthetic antioxidant in the palm-fried noodle.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Stew-style cups are lighter than fried noodles"

The noodle is the same palm-fried maida; the broth adds salt, not nutrition.

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; do not drink the broth
  • ChildrenNot recommended
  • High blood pressureAvoid

Smarter ways to eat it

Leave the broth

Much of the sodium dissolves into the liquid; eat the noodles and leave most of the soup.

Make it a real stew

Add tofu, an egg and fresh kimchi to half the seasoning for a fuller hotpot.

Common questions

Is Nissin Korean Army Stew Cup Noodles (Kimchi Jjigae Hotpot) healthy?

Nissin Korean Army Stew Cup Noodles (Kimchi Jjigae Hotpot) 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 (2415.4mg per 100g); High saturated fat (8.3g); Refined flour (maida) base. On the plus side: Source of protein (8.9g).

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 Korean Army Stew Cup Noodles (Kimchi Jjigae Hotpot) should I watch?

Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (Maida), Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil) (Palm oil), Maltodextrin (Maltodextrin), Oleoresin Capsicum & Antioxidant (INS 319) (TBHQ).

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

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