The Best Vegan Instant Ramen – Labelled and Easy to Find

We all like convenience

You can be a lifelong vegan or have only recently started adopting a plant-based diet. There’s no denying that some traditionally non-vegan foods are popular for good reason. Instant noodles, with their simple and quick cooking process, long shelf life, and undeniably delicious flavor—thanks to a variety of hard-to-pronounce ingredients—are a prime example. However, these benefits come with some drawbacks. Nutritionally, instant noodles can be quite lacking if not paired with fresh ingredients. Their main components are usually wheat, oil, spices, and salt after all. Still, there are certainly worse foods to consume regularly. After all, it’s soup, and that should at least count for some extra hydration.

Another drawback is that almost all instant noodles contain palm oil. This ingredient, as most people know, has significant environmental and social consequences. Avoiding palm oil entirely can be challenging, as it’s a common ingredient. The instant noodles I’ve gathered here do contain palm oil, as my primary focus was on their plant-based certification. However, I may consider doing a palm-oil-free version of this review in the future once I’ve found enough options.

Additionally, reading through the ingredient lists of most instant noodle packages can be daunting. Ingredients, like “mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids,” can be derived from animals or plants, which is often not labeled. Even contacting the company doesn’t always guarantee a clear answer, as the ingredients may come from various sources. For this review, I’ve chosen to focus on instant noodle packs that are verified vegan by the Vegan Society. That means their label is clearly displayed on the package.

“Demae Ramen Miso” by Nissin – 5/10

Let’s start with the Nissin brand and their “Demae Ramen Miso”. Even within the generally low price range of instant noodles, this one is particularly affordable. There’s no need to talk about the cooking process or time, as these noodles, like most others, are quick and easy to prepare. If you’re not planning to add extra ingredients, you can expect to have a hot meal ready in under five minutes.

The main deciding factors here are taste and uniqueness. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that stands out about these noodles. They’re a safe option for a hot meal, but they don’t have any remarkable qualities. The spice level is low, and the flavor might even be considered bland by some. However, this could be a plus for those who prefer more subdued flavors and aren’t fans of intense or bold tastes.

All in all, it’s not bad, but it doesn’t have many standout qualities either. I’d give it an average rating of 5 out of 10 stars.

“Damae Ramen Spicy” by Nissin – 6/10

Next up is another offering from the same brand, the “Demae Ramen Spicy”. This variety is quite similar to the Miso version, with the main difference being spice, as the name suggests. The extra kick is a welcome addition and enhances the overall flavor in a positive way, without being overwhelmingly hot. It’s still fairly mild, and the spice level remains manageable, making it enjoyable rather than challenging.

While the flavor profile is still somewhat basic, the added spice gives it a bit more character compared to the Miso version. If I had to choose between the two, I’d definitely go with this one. The subtle heat helps to elevate the taste, making it a slightly more satisfying option. I’d rate it 6 out of 10 stars.

“Samyang Ramen Spicy” by Samyang – 6/10

From the brand “Samyang” comes a package of instant noodles fittingly named “Samyang Ramen Spicy”. There’s a noticeable contrast between these noodles and the previous ones, as Samyang seems to have gone a bit overboard with the flavoring. These noodles have a heavy dose of MSG, combined with red pepper spice, giving them a flavor reminiscent of paprika-flavored potato chips. And that’s essentially the main taste you’ll experience.

While there’s a good amount of spice, it doesn’t complement the overall flavor as well as some other brands do. Instead, it feels like you’re eating paprika-flavored chips in hot soup. This might sound unappealing to some, but let’s be honest, paprika-flavored chips can be pretty tasty, and I don’t mind indulging in that flavor every now and then. However, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Putting personal biases aside as much as possible, I’d give these a solid 6 out of 10.

“Soba Wok Style Chile” by Nissin – 7/10

Next up is another product from the Nissin brand, called “Soba Wok Style Chilli”. Unlike the other products on this list, you don’t cook these as a soup but rather as a classic noodle dish with a thick, creamy sauce. This alone earns them some extra points, as they’re the only noodles of this kind with a vegan label that I could find. And the taste doesn’t disappoint either.

These noodles are quite sweet but packed with unique flavors, like star anise, making them an excellent base for any Asian-style noodle dish. You can easily enhance them by adding ingredients like tofu, spring onions, or roasted mushrooms—whatever you have in your fridge. If you’re in the mood for a quick, unique, and filling dish and don’t want soup, these should be your go-to.

However, unlike the first two products, which were relatively bland, these noodles fully utilize their spice cabinet. So, it’s a good idea to taste them on their own before mixing in your precious ingredients, just to ensure the flavor suits your palate.

Overall, I’d rate these a solid 7 out of 10.

“Jin Ramen Veggie” by Ottogi – 7.5/10

The next contender on this list is Ottogi’s “Jin Ramen Veggie”. This soup is solid, with little standout flavors—in a good way though! It provides an excellent base for whatever ingredients you want to add, but it’s also perfectly enjoyable on its own. This is the kind of instant ramen you can offer to a friend who’s never tried instant ramen before.

Like many instant noodles, there’s a hit of MSG here, and it might even be a bit stronger than in other products. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing—these days, most of us know that MSG can simply enhance flavors, without the old stigma or myths attached to it.

I’d give these noodles a solid 7.5 out of 10. They’re a great choice for anyone looking to use instant ramen as a base for more elaborate dishes, or for someone just starting their instant noodle experience.

“Shin Ramyun Noodle Gourmet Spicy” by Nongshim – 8.5/10

Now we move up to the upper echelon of instant noodles, all from the same brand, “Nongshim”. First up is the “Shin Ramyun Noodle Gourmet Spicy,” and it definitely packs a punch. This is, without a doubt, the spiciest product on this list. Unlike the “spicy” Nissin product, this one knows exactly how to use its spiciness to complement the rest of the flavors. Even if your eyes start to water, you wouldn’t want it any other way as you eagerly slurp up another spoonful. This noodle dish is a perfect blend of intense, flavorful, and spicy—a true Asian instant ramen explosion.

It’s perfect for winter days when you just want to cuddle up in a blanket and only leave it for five minutes to make a quick meal. The spice in this ramen almost rejuvenates your senses, cutting through every blocked nose or sore throat with a gentle but decisive punch. I highly recommend keeping this one stocked in your cupboard during the winter months. Adding sliced spring onions gives it a fresh kick, too.

There’s no beating around the bush—this one earns a solid 8.5 out of 10.

“Soon Veggie Ramyun Noodle” by Nongshim – 9/10

As the runner-up to the top spot, we have Nongshim’s “Soon Veggie Ramyun Noodle”. This one stands out for its seemingly unremarkable nature. With no labels boasting about spiciness, unique flavors, or extraordinary benefits, it shines as a perfect “neutral” ramen option.

If you’re tired of burning your mouth or overwhelming your taste buds with intense flavors, this one is ideal. It has just a hint of spice that won’t bother most people, and its taste is balanced—neither offensive nor too strong—while still remaining interesting up to the last spoonful. It’s quite an achievement that this ramen can be both flavorful and subtle.

The beauty of this noodle lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t rely on excessive spice to mask any shortcomings; instead, it offers a tasty, quickly prepared bowl of soup that you can enjoy without overthinking. This makes it incredibly versatile for customization—add a bunch of chili flakes if you want to bring the heat back, or any other ingredients you like.

Overall, this one deserves a solid 9 out of 10. But what could possibly top this?

“Kimchi Shin” by Nongshim – 9.5/10

At the top of the podium reigns supreme the one and only true king: Nongshim’s “Kimchi Shin”. This instant ramen combines all the best qualities of the previously mentioned products and adds the authentic flavor of real kimchi. It has the perfect amount of spice, seasoning, and the unique taste of one of the finest elements of Asian cuisine.

I’m not sure how they’ve managed it. This ramen captures the defining taste of fermented, flavor-packed kimchi just as well as if you were making it yourself. These noodles are hot, tasty, and deliver a unique flavor sensation that rivals even the intense seasoning of the Soba product from Nissin.

I could go on and on praising these instant noodles, but I’m already feeling hungry just writing this. I need to prepare a package of them right away. My kitchen drawer is stuffed to the brim with Kimchi Shin, and I haven’t been able to close it for a week! This one earns an easy 9.5 out of 10.

Let me know what you think of this review or if you have tried some of the products, I’m super curious! You can leave a comment below and tag @lordsoftheplants on Instagram and hashtag it #lordsoftheplants for me to see 🙂

If you’re in the mood for some more asian-inspired dishes and have the time and motivation to get some knives and pots ready, be sure to check out this Epic Vegan Chinese Hoisin Aubergine recipe!