Nongshim Big Bowl Shin Kimchi Noodles
Red flags
- −Red flag: High sodium (2080mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: Refined flour (maida) base
- −Red flag: Palm oil listed
- −Red flag: Contains Maltodextrin
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (8.1g)
Ingredients, decoded
18 listed- Noodles: Refined wheat flour
- Potato starch
- Palm oil
- Seasoning (Vegetable oil (sunflower seed oil), Yeast extract, Soy sauce, Emulsifier (INS322), Wheat starch)
- Salt
- Mineral salts (INS339(ii), INS452(i), INS500(i), INS501(i))
- Green tea extract
- Colour (INS101)
- Soup base: Seasoning (Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soy, refined wheat), Salt, Yeast extract, Soybean, Refined wheat flour, Soy sauce, Vegetable oil (contains soy, mustard))
- Salt
- Sugar
- Spices (Maltodextrin, Garlic, Glucose, Red pepper, Black pepper, Red pepper, Salt, Chilli extract, Vegetable oil, Soy)
- Flavour enhancers (INS621, INS627, INS631)
- Thickener (INS412)
- Acidifier (INS330)
- Colour (INS150c)
- Dried kimchi flake (Chinese cabbage 62.08%, garlic 3.98%, red pepper 3.98%, salt, ginger)
- Dried bok choy (20%)
Our take
CleanPlate reviewSpicy kimchi noodle bowl with 2330 mg sodium
Nongshim Big Bowl Shin Kimchi Noodles is a 112 g instant noodle bowl of fried wheat noodles with a soup base, vegetable flakes and flavour enhancers. The panel is printed per 100 g.
CleanPlate scores it EC5. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 g; its 8.1 g of protein earns no credit because it is under 2.75 g per 100 kcal. The C for ingredients reflects mostly refined or industrial ingredients (led by refined wheat flour, potato starch and palm oil), with additives that cost points: caramel colour, sodium phosphates, polyphosphates and riboflavin. The 5 for risk comes mainly from sodium (2080 mg per 100 g) and calories (430 kcal per 100 g).
How EC5 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 8.1 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 430 kcal
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal.
Mixed processing and additives
- Base
- Noodles: Refined wheat flour
- Main fat
- Palm oil
- Sweeteners
- 3 types
- Additives
- 7
- Flagged
- 4 ingredients
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
Very high risk
- Total sugar
- 4.1 g
- Sodium
- 2080 mg
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
Noodles of refined wheat flour, potato starch and palm oil; a soup base of seasoning, salt, sugar, spices and flavour enhancers (INS 621, 627, 631); and vegetable flakes.
Per 100 g: 430 kcal, 14 g fat, 4.1 g sugar, 8.1 g protein, 2080 mg sodium. Energy 430 kcal matches the Atwater sum. No saturated fat, trans fat or fibre is printed, and no added sugar line is printed, so the 4.1 g of sugar is treated as free. Net 112 g. Part of the spice sub-list is low-resolution.
Ingredients to watch
- SodiumConcern
2080 mg per 100 g, about 2330 mg for the whole 112 g bowl, more than the WHO daily 2000 mg.
- CaloriesWorth watching
430 kcal per 100 g, about 482 kcal a bowl.
- AdditivesWorth watching
Caramel colour, phosphates, flavour enhancers and a colour cost points.
- ProteinFine
8.1 g per 100 g, though it earns no credit.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Kimchi flavour means a probiotic food"
The flavour comes from seasoning, and no live culture is listed.
Myth: "Instant noodles are a quick full meal"
A bowl has about 8.1 g of protein per 100 g and almost no fibre.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsRarely
- ChildrenRarely
- Diabetes or prediabetesLimit strictly
Smarter ways to eat it
Use half the soup base
Most of the sodium is in the seasoning.
Add an egg and vegetables
That turns it into a meal with protein and fibre.
Common questions
Is Nongshim Big Bowl Shin Kimchi Noodles healthy?
Nongshim Big Bowl Shin Kimchi Noodles scores EC5 (Very Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it one of the weakest products we've rated and worth swapping out. The main concerns are: High sodium (2080mg per 100g); Refined flour (maida) base; Palm oil listed; Contains Maltodextrin. On the plus side: Source of protein (8.1g).
What does the EC5 score mean?
The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (C) grades ingredient and label integrity: mixed processing and additives. The number (5) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): very high risk.
Which ingredients in Nongshim Big Bowl Shin Kimchi Noodles should I watch?
Noodles: Refined wheat flour (Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)), Palm oil (Palm oil), Soup base: Seasoning (Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soy, refined wheat), Salt, Yeast extract, Soybean, Refined wheat flour, Soy sauce, Vegetable oil (contains soy, mustard)) (Maltodextrin), Spices (Maltodextrin, Garlic, Glucose, Red pepper, Black pepper, Red pepper, Salt, Chilli extract, Vegetable oil, Soy) (Maltodextrin), Flavour enhancers (INS621, INS627, INS631) (Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)).
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.
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