Shin Ramyun is one of the most popular instant noodle brands worldwide. Originating from South Korea, these spicy noodle soups have developed a cult-like following across the globe. But the frequently asked question is: does Shin Ramyun contain beef? Let’s explore the key ingredients in this iconic noodle soup.
A Brief History of Shin Ramyun
Shin Ramyun was first launched in October 1986 by Nongshim, a leading South Korean food and beverage company. The name “Shin Ramyun” literally means “spicy ramyun noodles” in Korean Shin Ramyun was an instant hit in South Korea and quickly became the highest selling instant noodle after its release
The creator of Shin Ramyun Nongshim’s founder Choong-hoon Lee wanted to make a flavorful noodle soup that reminded him of his mother’s traditional Korean cooking. After months of development, Lee perfected the balance of spicy, savory, and aromatic flavors that make Shin Ramyun so addictive.
By the 1990s, Shin Ramyun gained popularity internationally, especially in China, Japan, and the United States. It is now sold in over 100 countries worldwide. In 2021, Nongshim’s overseas sales of Shin Ramyun exceeded domestic sales in Korea for the first time. The global rise of Korean culture through K-pop, movies and Korean cuisine has fueled Shin Ramyun’s popularity abroad.
The Key Ingredients in Shin Ramyun
While the main component is wheat flour noodles, it’s the proprietary soup powder that gives Shin Ramyun its distinctive spicy kick and signature flavor. Let’s look closer at what goes into that top-secret seasoning blend:
The Noodles
- Wheat flour
- Vegetable oil (palm, canola, cottonseed)
- Potato starch
- Water
The Soup Powder
- Textured vegetable protein (soy-based)
- Beef extract
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Sugar
- MSG
- Chili pepper powder
- Mushroom powder
- Yeast extract
- Hydrolyzed corn and soy protein
Vegetarian/Vegan Options for Shin Ramyun Lovers
While standard Shin Ramyun relies on beef for its signature flavor, the brand has expanded to offer options for non-meat eaters:
-
Spicy Veggie Ramen – Vegan noodles in a hot and spicy vegetable broth.
-
Kimchi Ramen – Vegan noodles with authentic kimchi spice blend.
-
Soon Veggie Noodle Soup – Wheat noodles and veggie soup without meat extract.
-
Spicy Korean Shin Ramen Soup – Bestselling noodles with plant-based broth.
The key for vegetarians is to check labels and packaging to ensure the seasoning powder and broth are 100% meat-free. With plant-based alternatives, you can still enjoy the Shin Ramyun flavor you love.
The Different Varieties of Shin Ramyun
Over the years, Nongshim has introduced different varieties and premium versions of Shin Ramyun:
-
Shin Ramyun Black – Launched in 2011, this premium version has a richer, bolder beef broth.
-
Shin Ramyun Mild – A less spicy version of the original Shin Ramyun.
-
Shin Ramyun Kimchi – Noodles with authentic Korean kimchi flavor.
-
Shin Bowl – Larger portion of noodles and broth in a bowl format.
-
Shin Cup – Single-serve noodles in a disposable cup.
-
Shin Big Bowl – Family-size bowl for sharing.
While the flavors may vary, most varieties contain beef except the designated vegetarian/vegan options. Checking the packaging is the best way to confirm ingredients.
Why Shin Ramyun Became So Popular
Several factors have contributed to Shin Ramyun’s rise from a domestic Korean noodle to a worldwide phenomenon:
-
Delicious and balanced taste – Many fans claim it’s the best instant noodle soup they’ve tried thanks to the savory broth and spicy kick.
-
Convenience – As an instant meal that cooks in minutes, it’s perfect for busy lifestyles.
-
Affordability – Priced as a budget-friendly product, its popularity extends across economic demographics.
-
Korean culture popularity – The global rise of K-pop, movies and food has driven interest in Shin Ramyun.
-
Pandemic demand – Quarantining consumers stocked up on instant noodles, making Shin Ramyun hard to find in stores for a while.
Thanks to its crave-worthy flavor profile, convenience, clever marketing and exported Korean culture, Shin Ramyun earned its spot as a leading instant noodle brand worldwide.
How Shin Ramyun Is Produced
To achieve the one-of-a-kind texture and taste of Shin Ramyun, an intricate manufacturing process is used:
-
Filtered, temperature-controlled water is mixed with salt, vitamins and flavorings to create the broth base.
-
The broth is combined with wheat flour to make flavored dough.
-
The dough goes through a series of rollers to knead it to the ideal noodle thickness.
-
The rolled noodles are steamed then fried in palm oil to cook thoroughly and drive off moisture.
-
The noodles are cooled on a conveyor belt before packaging.
-
The crisp noodles are combined in the package with dehydrated vegetable flakes and the powdered beef soup base.
Strict quality control ensures each batch of Shin Ramyun meets flavor and food safety standards. The production technology creates the springy, Q-shaped noodles that can withstand the intense broth.
Final Thoughts
For over 35 years, Shin Ramyun’s signature beef broth noodles have earned a passionate fandom across cultures. The original does contain beef extract in the broth powder, but the brand offers plant-based alternatives too. Whether you prefer the classic beef noodles or the new veggie spins, Shin Ramyun’s fusion of spicy, savory and aromatic flavors make for an addictive meal that’s here to stay.
Overall Winners: Either Ramyun From a Packet
Different reviewers had different opinions on how the standard Shin Ramyun’s broth and noodles compared to the more expensive Black version. However, they all agreed on one thing: the ramyun that comes in packets and is cooked in a pot is better than the cup-style. It makes perfect sense. In the first method, you quickly boil the noodles. In the second method, you let them steep like tea.
The ingredient lists on the packets also show that the noodles are made differently, possibly to make up for the different ways they are cooked.
Most of the people who tasted the noodles thought the packet noodles were more springy and more like real noodles. However, Max Falkowitz liked the thinner, softer noodles in the standard Shin Cup. “If you’re not going to get great noodles anyway, you might as well get ones that are better at absorbing sauce,” was his reasoning.
The soup bases for the packet-based soups were also superior. It’s hard to tell from the lists of ingredients what was better about them, but they tasted fuller, richer, and a little more “natural.” Soups from the cups were labeled as “harsh,” “aggressive,” and “artificial. “Not so bad that we wouldn’t eat them, but bad enough that it was worth the time to make the packet-based version.”
Interestingly, cost had virtually nothing to do with our preferences. When you buy ramyun that you make in a cup, you pay twice as much because you don’t have to use a regular pot. Similarly, the Black versions of both the cup and packet soups cost twice as much as the standard. All told, people were pretty evenly split on naming the $. 24/ounce standard Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup packets and the $. 47/ounce Shin Ramyun Black Premium Noodle Soup packets as the winners.
Here are some more tasting details.
Shin Ramyun Black Premium Noodle Soup Packet ($.47/ounce)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__s__2013__10__20131015-taste-test-shin-ramyun-10-41f0aa983e49439287b9ff0f9633eb17.jpg)
The bigger pieces of vegetables are the first thing you’ll notice when you compare the Black version to the regular one. Real-sized slices of shiitake mushroom and slivers of hot chile peppers float around the opaque, mildly creamy broth. The front of the package shows thick slices of real beef. What we get instead are these little nubbins:
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__s__2013__10__20131015-taste-test-shin-ramyun-11-7be81795df844eed8fb77d58ff793913.jpg)
It’s kind of like the bits at the bottom of a bag of beef jerky that you eat when you’re on a road trip and the real food ran out the last few miles of the trip. We couldve just as soon done without them.
In addition to the “beef extract” and “beef fat” that flavor the standard version, the Black broth has dehydrated beef stock and anchovies. This makes the broth more subtle and well-balanced. Its heartier, but also milder. This is the right package for you if you want a stronger salt and spice kick.
Shin Ramyun is not vegetarian
FAQ
Does Shin Ramyun have beef extract?
What meat is in Shin Ramyun?
Is there beef in Shin Ramyun Red?
Is Shin Ramyun vegetarian or non veg?
Does Shin Ramyun have beef?
Yes, standard Shin Ramyun does contain beef More specifically, the soup base is made with a beef broth to give it that rich, savory flavor. Shin Ramyun uses textured vegetable protein (soy-based) along with beef extract to produce its signature tasty broth However, for vegetarians and vegans, there are also beef-free Shin Ramyun options available.
Is Shin Ramyun vegetarian or vegan?
The primary flavoring in Shin Ramyun is derived from beef. Therefore, individuals who prefer to avoid meat products should be aware that Shin Ramyun is not suitable for vegetarian or vegan diets. Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions related to the ingredients and dietary considerations of Shin Ramyun:
What does Shin Ramyun mean?
Shin in Korean means “spicy” and “ramyun” means noodles. Widely used in Korea, these very spicy noodles and their beef broth are known to be incredibly tasty. Although they are rather spicy, these noodles are very easy to prepare and can be eaten throughout the day, making them a great choice for any time-poor foodie. Are Shin Ramyun vegetarian?
Is Shin Ramyun a black Ramen?
For two and a half decades since its introduction in 1986, Shin Ramyun was available in only two forms: in a packet and in a cook-in-the-container styrofoam cup. In 2011, they introduced Shin Black, the premium version of their traditional ramen. We tasted all four options to see how they stacked up. Black Vs. Standard