# Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, 12 Pack, Beef > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Maruchan - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Canned & Packaged Goods - **Size:** 36 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/maruchan-ramen-noodle-soup-12-pack-beef-36-oz - **Slug:** `maruchan-ramen-noodle-soup-12-pack-beef-36-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains refined enriched wheat flour, industrial oils, preservatives (TBHQ), flavor enhancers (MSG, hydrolyzed proteins), and multiple additives, consistent with ultra-processed foods (NOVA 4). The product is factory-formulated for long shelf life and standardized taste rather than minimal processing. ## Review Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, 12 Pack (Beef) is a familiar center-store staple: a cardboard value box on the soup/side-dish aisle, shelved near other instant noodles, cup soups, and budget-packed pasta and rice mixes. Shoppers spot it alongside other multi-packs aimed at students, single-person households, and pantry stockers. This product fits quick weeknight dinners, back-to-school dorm shopping, storm prep, and low-effort late-night meals—anytime speed and economy trump culinary ceremony. The Maruchan brand reads as approachable and inexpensive, with broad cultural recognition from decades of advertising; it is marketed to budget-conscious shoppers and young adults seeking easy comfort food rather than gourmet authenticity. The label is straightforward and not health-focused: there are no organic or clean-label certifications, few “natural” claims, and the packaging highlights flavor and value rather than nutrition. Physically, the box contains foil-wrapped noodle blocks and small seasoning packets; the cooking ritual is ritualistically simple—boil water, steep or simmer for minutes, and spoon a salty, beef-flavored broth into a bowl. Sensory notes: thin, springy noodles that quickly soften, a glossy, slightly greasy broth with pronounced saltiness and savory umami from hydrolyzed proteins and MSG, and faint dehydrated vegetable bits. Processing context: factory-produced, shelf-stable, and heavily processed with additives and preservatives to ensure long life and consistent flavor. People often customize servings with eggs, vegetables, or hot sauce, turning an inexpensive convenience item into a personalized comfort bowl. ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.5 - **Servings per container:** 24 - **Calories:** 190 - **Total fat:** 7g (9% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 3.5g (18% DV) - **Sodium:** 720mg (31% DV) - **Total carbs:** 27g (10% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 1g - **Added sugars:** 1g (2% DV) - **Protein:** 4g ## 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, Potassium Carbonate, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Monosodium Phosphate. Soup Based Ingredients: Salt, Sugar, Contains Less than 1% of: Maltodextrin, Monosodium Glutamate, Caramel Color, Dehydrated Soy Sauce (Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Beef Fat, Spices, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Yeast Extract, Dehydrated Vegetables (Garlic, Onion, Chive), Lactose, Natural Flavor, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Silicon Dioxide (Anti-Caking Agent). ## Flagged ingredients - **Canola** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Cottonseed** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Palm** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Monosodium Phosphate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **TBHQ** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Caramel Color** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, storm-prep, movie-night - **Vibes:** convenient, nostalgic, comforting ## FAQ ### Is Maruchan Ramen healthy? Well, 'healthy' can be a bit subjective! Maruchan Ramen is definitely convenient and can be a satisfying snack or meal, but it’s not exactly a superfood. With 720mg of sodium per serving and only 1g of dietary fiber, it's best enjoyed in moderation, especially if you’re watching your sodium intake. ### Is Maruchan Ramen vegan? Nope, this ramen is not vegan-friendly! It contains beef fat and dairy (lactose), so if you're following a vegan diet, you'll want to steer clear of this one. There are plenty of plant-based ramen options out there if you're craving that noodle fix! ### Is Maruchan Ramen gluten-free? Sadly, no! Maruchan Ramen is made with enriched wheat flour, which means it contains gluten. If you're looking for gluten-free noodles, there are great alternatives made from rice or other gluten-free grains. ### Does Maruchan Ramen contain seed oils? Yes, it does! Maruchan Ramen includes vegetable oil, which can be a mix of canola, cottonseed, or palm oil. While seed oils can be a controversial topic, they’re commonly used in processed foods for texture and shelf stability, so it's good to be aware of what’s in your food. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, no artificial sweeteners here! The only sweet component is a little added sugar, which is pretty common in packaged foods for flavor balance. So, you can enjoy your ramen without worrying about those sneaky sweeteners. ### Is Maruchan Ramen high in sugar? Not at all! It has just 1g of total sugars, which is quite low. So if you're concerned about sugar intake, this ramen won't add much to your daily total, but keep in mind that it’s more about the overall balance of your diet. ### What are healthier alternatives to Maruchan Ramen? If you're looking for a healthier noodle option, consider brands that offer whole grain or vegetable-based noodles. There are also low-sodium or organic ramen options available that might tickle your fancy while still satisfying that noodle craving! ### Can kids eat Maruchan Ramen? Absolutely! Kids can enjoy Maruchan Ramen, but it’s good to be mindful of the sodium content. It can be a fun, quick meal option, but pairing it with some veggies or protein can make it a bit more balanced! ### Is Maruchan Ramen good for weight loss? While Maruchan Ramen is low in sugar, it’s not particularly high in protein or fiber, which can help keep you fuller longer. If you’re watching your weight, consider it an occasional treat rather than a daily staple, and try adding in some protein or veggies for a more filling meal. ### Is Maruchan Ramen ultra-processed? Yes, Maruchan Ramen falls into the ultra-processed category. It contains a mix of preservatives, flavor enhancers, and other ingredients that you wouldn’t typically find in a home-cooked meal. But hey, we all enjoy a little convenience sometimes, right? Just remember to balance it out with whole foods when you can! ## Related products - [Glory Foods Seasoned, Collard Greens, Turkey Flavored](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/glory-foods-seasoned-collard-greens-turkey-flavored-1450-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/glory-foods-seasoned-collard-greens-turkey-flavored-1450-oz - [Del Monte Fresh Cut Extra Long Asparagus Spears](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/del-monte-fresh-cut-extra-long-asparagus-spears-15-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/del-monte-fresh-cut-extra-long-asparagus-spears-15-oz - [Bush Zero Baked Beans](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bushs-best-bush-zero-baked-beans-1580-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bushs-best-bush-zero-baked-beans-1580-oz - [Chicken Of The Sea Infusions Thai Chilituna](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/chicken-of-the-sea-infusions-thai-chilituna-280-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/chicken-of-the-sea-infusions-thai-chilituna-280-oz - [Tonnino Tuna Light, Olive Oil](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/tonnino-tuna-light-olive-oil-490-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/tonnino-tuna-light-olive-oil-490-oz - [Libby's Beets Sliced](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/libbys-beets-sliced-15-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/libbys-beets-sliced-15-oz - [Del Monte Mixed Vegetables](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/del-monte-mixed-vegetables-1450-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/del-monte-mixed-vegetables-1450-oz - [Velveeta Mini Sheels & Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/velveeta-mini-sheels-cheese-1010-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/velveeta-mini-sheels-cheese-1010-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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