Top RamenInstant Noodles#67 of 100 in categoryRating 2/5

Top Ramen Curry Veg Noodles

Top Ramen Curry Veg Noodles pack

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains TBHQ
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (9.2g)

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of protein (8.9g)

Ingredients, decoded

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

High saturated fatHigh calories (over 400 kcal per 100 g)Nutrition per 100 g
ENutritionCIngredients4Risk
Energy462 kcal
Protein8.9 g
Carbohydrates64.6 g
Total sugars5.1 g
Total fat18.7 g
Saturated fat9.2 g
Trans fat0 g
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Curry noodles with caramel colour and 9.2 g saturated fat

Top Ramen Curry Veg is a 280 g pack of fried instant noodles (85%) with a larger seasoning mix (15%) of corn starch, salt, sugar, spices, flavour enhancers and colours. The panel is printed per 100 g.

CleanPlate scores it EC4. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 g; its 8.9 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 noodles, corn starch and sugar), with additives that cost points: caramel colour, triphosphates, TBHQ and guar gum. The 4 for risk comes mainly from saturated fat (9.2 g per 100 g) and calories (462 kcal per 100 g). The panel prints no sodium line, so sodium is not counted as a risk.

Claims vs reality

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

  • On the pack

    “Curry”

    Holds

    The seasoning carries a spice mix (8.8%) with chilli, turmeric, coriander and cumin.

  • On the pack

    “Contains permitted natural colours & added flavour (nature identical)”

    Be careful

    The list also shows caramel colour (150d), which is a processing colour rather than a natural one.

How EC4 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
E

Very low nutrient density

Protein
8.9 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
462 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.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
C

Mixed processing and additives

Base
Noodles, Iodised Salt, Acidit...
Main fat
Noodles, Iodised Salt,...
Sweeteners
Seasoning Mix, No...
Additives
6
Flagged
TBHQ

Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Total sugar
5.1 g
Saturated fat
9.2 g
Trans fat
0 g

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 (85%): wheat flour, edible vegetable oil (palm), iodised salt, acidity regulators, thickener (412) and antioxidant (319). Seasoning mix (15%): corn starch, iodised salt, sugar, onion powder, spice mix 8.8%, noodle powder, palm oil, flavour enhancers (yeast extract, 627, 631), garlic, tomato powder and colours.

Per 100 g: 462 kcal, 18.7 g fat of which 9.2 g saturated, 5.1 g sugar, 8.9 g protein. The panel prints no sodium line, so sodium is not credited as a risk and the score is provisional. The panel prints no added sugar line. Atwater energy matches the declared 462 kcal. A green veg mark is on the front.

Ingredients to watch

  • Caramel colourConcern

    Colour 150d (sulphite ammonia caramel) costs 4 points on ingredients.

  • Sodium not printedWorth watching

    No sodium line on the pack.

  • AdditivesWorth watching

    TBHQ, triphosphates, guar gum, silicon dioxide and flavour enhancers add up.

  • Saturated fatWorth watching

    9.2 g per 100 g.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Curry flavour means a vegetable sauce"

The seasoning is mostly starch, salt and sugar, with 8.8% spices.

Myth: "Veg noodles are the lighter choice"

A veg mark only says no animal ingredient; the fat and additives are unchanged.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsOccasionally
  • ChildrenRarely
  • Diabetes or prediabetesLimit

Smarter ways to eat it

Add real vegetables

A handful of beans and carrots changes the bowl.

Skip the full sachet

Use half and add chilli or lemon.

Common questions

Is Top Ramen Curry Veg Noodles healthy?

Top Ramen Curry Veg Noodles scores EC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: Contains TBHQ; High saturated fat (9.2g). On the plus side: Source of protein (8.9g).

What does the EC4 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 (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.

Which ingredients in Top Ramen Curry Veg Noodles should I watch?

Noodles (Wheat Flour, Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm), Iodised Salt, Acidity Regulators (INS 500(ii), INS 451(i)), Thickener (INS 412), Antioxidant (INS 319)) (TBHQ), Seasoning Mix (Corn Starch, Iodised Salt, Sugar, Onion Powder, Spice Mix 8.8% (Red Chilli, Turmeric, Coriander, Cumin, Ginger, Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Clove & Asafoetida), Noodle Powder (Wheat Flour, Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm), Iodised Salt, Acidity Regulators (INS 500(ii), INS 451(i)), Thickener (INS 412), Antioxidant (INS 319)), Edible Vegetable Oil (Palm), Flavour Enhancers (Yeast Extract, INS 627, INS 631), Garlic, Tomato Powder, Acidity Regulator (INS 330), Colours (INS 160c(i), INS 150d), Anticaking Agent (INS 551), Antioxidant (INS 319)) (TBHQ).

Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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