Ramen is known as the ultimate college food: cheap, fast, and filling. It looks like it is just a noodle, which could easily be vegan, right? But what about the chicken-flavored ramen, are vegetarians and vegans against eating them? Is chicken instant ramen vegan?
When determining if specific ramen is vegan or not, it is important to look at the ingredients list rather than the flavor. Many vegan products are flavored to taste like chicken or other animal products, but they do not actually contain any animal ingredients. However, most chicken-flavored ramens do contain animal ingredients such as chicken fat or powdered chicken.
When searching for vegan ramen, it is important to check the ingredients list to make sure that no animal products are used. With a little effort, it is possible to find vegan ramens that are just as delicious as their non-vegan counterparts.
Let’s look at the ingredients of the chicken-flavored products of three of the most popular Ramen Noodle brands and explore the vegan options.
- Most Popular, Not Vegan: Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Ramen
- Not Vegan: Maruchan® Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle
- Vegan Spicy Option: Samyang 2X Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen
- Healthy Vegan Option: Dr. McDougall’s, Vegan Ramen, Chicken Flavor
1. Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Ramen: Most Popular, Not Vegan
Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Flavor Ramen is the least vegan-friendly on this list, containing not only chicken fat but also powdered chicken in the ingredient list.
Ingredients: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Palm Oil, Salt, Contains Less than 2% of Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Calcium Silicate, Citric Acid, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Dried Leek Flake, Garlic Powder, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Maltodextrin, Monosodium Glutamate, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Onion Powder, Potassium Carbonate, Powdered Chicken, Rendered Chicken Fat, Sodium Alginate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Soybean, Spice and Color, Sugar, TBHQ (Preservative), Wheat.
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2. Maruchan Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle: Not Vegan
Maruchan breaks down the ingredients for their noodle and their soup base, which is helpful to see that their ramen noodle is actually all vegan. What makes this product not vegan is the chicken fat added to the seasoning.
Ingredients
Ramen Noodle Ingredients: Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Vegetable Oil (Contains One or More of the Following: Canola, Cottonseed, Palm), Preserved by TBHQ, Contains Less than 1% of: Salt, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Potassium Carbonate, Sodium (Mono, Hexameta and/or Tripoly), Phosphate, Sodium Carbonate, Turmeric.
Soup Base Ingredients: Salt, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Contains Less than 1% of: Potassium Chloride, Dehydrated Vegetables (Garlic, Onion, Chive), Yeast Extract, Chicken Fat, Dehydrated Soy Sauce (Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Hydrolyzed Corn, Wheat and Soy Protein, Dehydrated Shiitake Mushroom, Powdered Cooked Chicken Spices (Celery Seed), Turmeric, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Silicon Dioxide (Anti-Caking Agent), Vegetable Oil (Palm), Citric Acid, Lactose.
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3. Samyang 2X Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen: Vegan Spicy Choice
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If you can handle the spiciness of this ramen, the Samyang 2X Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen is actually a vegan chicken-flavored noodle option! As you can see below, Samyang opts for an artificial chicken flavor, which means that it is not derived from animals but rather created synthetically in a lab.
Ingredients:
Noodle: Wheat Flour, Tapioca Starch, Palm Oil, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Soybean Oil, Water, Acidity Regulator (Potassium Carbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Phosphate Dibasic, Sodium Polyphosphate, Citric Acid), Thickener (Guar Gum), Emulsifier (Lecithin), Color (Riboflavin).
Soup Base: Water, Artificial Chicken Flavor Powder, White Sugar, Soy Sauce, Red Pepper Powder, Soybean Oil, Onion Powder, Chilli Extract, Salt, Garlic Powder, Tapioca Starch, Yeast Extract Powder, Black Pepper Powder, Curry Powder.
Flake: Roasted Sesame, Roasted Laver.
But is artificial chicken flavor vegan?
Not all synthetic chicken flavors are vegan, some can be made from dairy or egg products. The best way the find out is to contact the company directly.
Samyang does not indicate the Chicken Flavoring as a potential allergen, like some of the other ingredients in their noodles that contain allergens such as soy, wheat, and sesame. This means their flavoring does not contain any allergen ingredients, including milk and eggs.
If you are concerned about cross-contamination with animal products though, the company does inform you that the product is manufactured in a facility that processes fish, eggs, milk, and shellfish.
For those with severe allergies, it is always best to err on the side of caution and avoid the product altogether. However, for those who are simply avoiding animal products for ethical or dietary reasons, this product may be worth considering.
4. Dr. McDougall’s, Vegan Ramen, Chicken Flavor: Healthiest Vegan Choice
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Dr. McDougall’s specifically makes vegan ramen with a chicken flavor. Different than the Samyang noodles, there is no investigation needed here to find out if this product is vegan. It is marketed as such, and, as you can see from the ingredients below, the company makes an effort to include as many organic ingredients as possible, making this a healthier alternative to traditional ramen as well.
Ingredients: Organic Unbleached Wheat flour, Yeast Extracts, Organic Potato Starch, Sea Salt, Organic Corn, Onion, Garlic, Carrot, Organic Sugar, Organic Wheat Gluten, Spices, Spinach, Turmeric (Color), Lime Powder
The Bottom Line
There are a few vegan chicken-flavored ramen options available on the market.
The best way to determine if a product is vegan is to check the ingredients list and, if needed, contact the company directly.
Some synthetic chicken flavors may contain dairy or egg products, so it is always best to double-check with the manufacturer if you have any allergies or concerns.
Overall, these products are a healthier alternative to traditional ramen and can be a good option for those who are avoiding animal products for ethical or dietary reasons.