Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies

Photo: Wikipedia
This is the dehydrated block of instant ramen noodles, a shelf-stable marvel of texture transformation. When rehydrated, it yields a springy, chewy noodle that absorbs broth and seasonings. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of carbohydrates and fats, providing a quick energy boost.
People love it for its comforting, savory flavor and the satisfying, chewy texture that perfectly soaks up rich broths. It's a beloved, customizable comfort food that's deeply woven into the fabric of late-night meals and quick lunches across many cultures.
The dry block is very high in sodium (especially from the included seasoning packet) and refined carbohydrates, which can cause blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, use only half the seasoning packet, boost the dish with protein like an egg or tofu, and add plenty of fresh vegetables to increase fiber and nutrient density.
The invention of instant ramen is credited to Momofuku Ando of Japan in 1958, who was inspired by the need for a food that was quick, cheap, and could be stored for a long time after witnessing post-WWII food shortages.
| Water | 6.5 g |
| Energy | 440 kcal |
| Energy | 1841 kj |
| Protein | 10.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 17.6 g |
| Ash | 5.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 60.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.9 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g |
| Sucrose | 1.4 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.56 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 56.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 21.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 4.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 25.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 115 mg |
| Potassium, K | 181 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1855 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.60 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.13 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.63 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 23.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.30 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.45 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.26 mg |
| Niacin | 5.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.44 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 116 ug |
| Folic acid | 70.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 45.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 165 ug |
| Choline, total | 5.5 mg |
| Betaine | 17.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.25 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 6.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 2.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 12.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 20.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.4 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.21 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.10 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 1.9 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 1.5 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 3.3 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.95 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 8.9 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 8.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 7.1 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.71 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.2 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.1 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 6.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 2.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.07 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.02 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.02 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.04 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Why are the noodles fried before packaging?
Flash-frying dehydrates the noodles quickly, creating a porous structure that allows hot water to rehydrate them in just a few minutes.
Is the seasoning packet necessary?
No. The noodles can be cooked and used in stir-fries, salads, or soups with your own seasonings and broths for better control over sodium and flavor.
Can I use the dry noodles as a crunchy topping?
Yes! Crush the dry block and sprinkle it over salads, casseroles, or yogurt for a surprising, savory crunch.