Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Review: Do these quick ramen noodles serve up a tasty (and healthy) meal?

Here's what a nutritionist thinks of Kinjabang noodles

Typically, noodles get a bad wrap as a meal option because they’re high in calories and carbohydrates, and many people end up overindulging when sitting in front of a plate of pasta. While you should be able to enjoy any pasta dish every once in a while, there are other alternatives out there that may be a better option for you. 

Kinjabang Noodles are one such option. There are three different varieties of ramen noodles that can be prepared in no time and topped with your favorite protein sources and veggies.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this meal option to see if it’s a healthy alternative that you can enjoy on a regular basis without having to worry about artificial ingredients, sugar, and calories.

Are Kinjabang Noodles healthy?

plant-based noodle salad.
Toa Heftiba / Unsplash

In general, Kinjabang Noodles are a healthier option for a fast meal, but they still have a few nutritional downsides that you will want to be aware of.

Benefits

  • Three different flavor options
  • Quick and easy to prepare
  • Come with sauce and vegetable packets for seasoning
  • No trans fat
  • No cholesterol
  • High in protein
  • No added preservatives
  • Air-dried noodles
  • Plant-based

Downsides

  • A bit higher in calories
  • High in sodium
  • Long ingredient lists for sauce 

Your Kinjabang Noodles options

Original Kin Style Medium Cut Noodles

Kinjabang Noodles original flavor.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you prefer a little extra flavor, these noodles are a bit spicy without being overwhelming. The medium cut of the noodles is also great for supporting all of your favorite toppings!

Calories: 350
Total fat: 4.5 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 1,310 mg
Total carbohydrates: 67 g
Dietary fiber: 3 g
Total sugars: 7 g
Protein: 11 g

Zesty Blade Style Thick Cut Noodles

Kinjabang Noodles zesty flavor.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While the other two flavors of Kinjabang Noodles are a certain level of spicy, you don’t have to worry about that with the Zesty noodles. A bit sweet and plenty flavorful, this version is my personal favorite!

Calories: 290
Total fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 460 mg
Total carbohydrates: 63 g
Dietary fiber: 3 g
Total sugars: 4 g
Protein: 10 g

Spicy Shadow Style Thin Cut Noodles

Kinjabang Noodles spicy flavor.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For those who prefer spicy noodles, this variety is the one for you. This sauce packet adds a ton of flavor, but if it’s a bit too much for you, you can skip adding the sauce and still enjoy the thin-cut noodles and dried vegetable packet.

Calories: 320
Total fat: 1.5 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 1,360 mg
Total carbohydrates: 67 g
Dietary fiber: 3 g
Total sugars: 8 g
Protein: 11 g

Would I recommend you purchase Kinjabang Noodles?

Personally, I’m a fan of Kinjabang Noodles. They’re quick and easy to make, and the fact that they come with a vegetable packet and a sauce packet means that I don’t have to worry about flavoring them myself. You can also make them healthier by adding a lean protein source like chicken or salmon, along with various vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and red cabbage. 

The protein and lack of sugar are great nutritional advantages, but it’s important that you remember that the noodles are a bit higher in calories and very high in sodium — over 50% of your daily recommended sodium intake for two of the flavors! However, you can skip adding the sauce packet to get rid of the scary sodium number.

Overall, whether or not you should buy Kinjabang ramen noodles is up to your personal preference, but I would recommend them.

Editors' Recommendations

Christine VanDoren
Christine is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with an undergraduate degree from Missouri State University. Her…
The best fish to eat: 11 of the healthiest options for your plate
Even if you're picky about fish, you'll find several choices to enjoy on this list
Sablefish in a dish

There's a reason why fresh fish is often called brain food. It's healthy stuff, just like fresh fruits, providing nutrients while aiding the body in a number of other important ways. Fortunately, you can enjoy fish in virtually countless ways. You can go Hawaiian and eat it raw in the form of poke or grill it up on your deck. You can clean a fish and even age a fish. Many types of fish are also great in pasta, sandwiches, or even tinned up as conservas. There are pretty much as many ways to prepare fish as there are delicious species swimming through the many vast oceans of the world.

There are things to look for when you're combing through the fish selection of your favorite market, though. Look for terminology like "wild caught" on labels, ensuring that the fishery is being treated with the care and sustainability it deserves, wherever that may be. A great resource is this handy app from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium in California.

Read more
The Macallan, Bentley serve up a single malt Scotch whisky worth more than a car
The Macallan and Bentley mean luxury
The Macallan

When it comes to luxury, The Macallan and Bentley are two of the biggest names in the world. While one is a single malt Scotch whisky brand and one is a car company, they both carry a certain, fancy weight. It only makes sense that the two brands would collaborate for a special bottle of Scotch whisky. This is likely because a whisky-powered car is more science fiction than reality.
What does the new whisky look like?

It's called The Macallan Horizon, and its bottle was created in collaboration with British automobile brand Bentley Motors. It was designed to meld the worlds of single malt scotch whisky and the sleek, elegant car brand. The result is a horizontal (hence the name) bottle crafted with a breathtaking 180-degree twist.

Read more
What foods are high in iron? These staples will help you live a healthier life
Add these high-iron foods to your shopping list today
Ribeye caps topped with garlic and herbs cooked in a cast iron pan over charcoal.

What foods are high in iron? We all know that iron is important for a healthy, balanced diet, but did you know you can find two different kinds of iron in food: heme and non-heme. Your body can absorb iron from heme (animal-based) food better than from non-heme (plant-based) food sources. Where can you find heme food sources? Read on to find out about foods high in iron.

If you eat a plant-based diet, you’ll get a lot of non-heme types of iron. As a result, your body might need a bit of help to absorb it properly. Sometimes vitamin C can aid with the absorption of plant-based kinds of iron. Regularly consume both plant and animal-based sources of iron to get the best of both for your body. 
What is iron?

Read more