Are Ramen noodles vegetarian friendly? I know the noodles would be okay, but what about the seasoning?

I wanted to make some for lunch today but realized we don't have any, and then I started wondering if it's something I'd even be "able" to eat. So if anyone knows for sure that'd be great, Ramen is often what I eat when I get home from school, lol. Even if it's not that's okay, I'm new to the vegetarian thing so trying to find things I'm familiar with to eat, but I'm also looking for new things to try! :)

you would have to look at the ingredients. most that i've looked at have meat flavors in the seasoning packs, even the "oriental" flavored ones. I don't eat it, but maybe a wholefood brand makes some that are veggie friendly. I do know that most have a lot of sodium and other stuff you might not want to be eating (MSG, etc).

if you have a natural foods store near you, KOYO has a whole line of vegetarian ramen noodles (vegan, in fact). They come in a bunch of fantastic flavors and while they're a tad more expensive than some brands they are organic and go for around a buck- which is still pretty darn cheap, especially for organic!!

Maruchan makes a mushroom flavor. It rocks.

The OP is "new" to vegetarianism folks - lets cut them some slack and just answer the question instead of loading them down and confusing them with unasked for advice (good as it might be)...

The question was: "Are Ramen noodles vegetarian friendly? I know the noodles would be okay, but what about the seasoning?"

The questions were NOT "are they healthy?" or "where can I buy vegan ones?"

Probably most EVERYONE knows they're not the "ideal" food, but they do serve as a major componant in many people's menus (especially teen/college students/people who can't cook, etc..). Much as I hate the stuff, my kids get them and would eat them several times a day if I didn't shove more healthy options in front of them...

The "Oriental" flavor from three different brands that I looked at tonight (major store brands) WAS indeed vegetarian, one was even vegan.
Other vegetarian "flavors" included 'Garden Vegetable', 'Salsa Tomato' and 'Curry' though I know these are not available in all areas...

So, Southpaw, welcome... and to answer your question, it appears some of the "oriental" flavors, and maybe some others, are vegetarian. However, as noted - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL!

The OP is "new" to vegetarianism folks - lets cut them some slack and just answer the question instead of loading them down and confusing them with unasked for advice (good as it might be)...


:surprised: was anyone giving the OP a hard time? just looks like people telling him/her that, yes, some ramen is vegetarian, and offering some ideas of where they might get their hands on some.

Thai Kitchen brand has "Instant Rice Noodle Soup" pouches, which you can usually find in the 'international' section of your grocery store (near soy sauce, etc.) They have flavors including "Garlic & Vegetable" and "Spring Onion". They also make noodle bowls and other similar products.
These tend to cost more than your typical ramen noodle soups, but I think they're very good. The noodles are slightly different than regular ramen noodles, since they're rice noodles, but I don't think you'd be disappointed with them.
Since you said you wouldn't mind trying something new, I thought I'd suggest these. Also, you can check out their products in detail at their website: http://www.thaikitchen.com/ (Sometimes it's great to read ingredient lists in advance, so you can get out of the store quicker.) Next to each item, there's a link for nutrition info and ingredients.
Hope that helps.
Piratebean

Thanks a lot everyone!

Haha, I know there are tons of things I could be eating that are much healthier than Ramen is...but y'know, just a quick and easy something to fill me up when I get home. ;)

I'll definitely remember these suggestions next time we go shopping. Thanks again! :)

Top ramen oriental has been vegan everywhere I've looked at it

If you are willing to go to a little trouble...just a little...you might want to try one of these recipes. :) http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2003issue3/vj2003issue3noodles.htm

Top ramen oriental has been vegan everywhere I've looked at it


yup I'm making it now :D

Ramen noodles are evily addictive.

They are the crack of the food industry. :yes:

If you are willing to go to a little trouble...just a little...you might want to try one of these recipes. :) http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2003issue3/vj2003issue3noodles.htm
Oh thanks for the link!

Buy fresh ramen noodles and make your own seasonings. Much tastier and healthier. The dry ones with pre-pack seasonings are foul.

There is a whole variety of veggie cup a soups out there, one in particular is called CHICKEN FREE, and it is just like the chicken and noodle cup a soup, except it is totally vegetarian.

Top ramen oriental has been vegan everywhere I've looked at it
Yep! That's what I buy, it's the same price and everything as regular ramen. I think it's just the Oriental flavor of Top Ramen that's vegetarian. Also, I get cup of noodle type things from the kosher section of the store, they have "chicken flavor" and "beef flavor" but they're all vegetarian.

Blue grrl I saw a mushroom flavor to top ramen several years ago in NY state that was vegan but I've never seen it anywhere else. Its worth looking into though because (for ramen noodles) it was quite good.

top ramen oriental *is* veg... though i just like the noodles... :-D

you can also buy just the noodles from some oriental markets, if you have one by you, and add veggie bullion cubes if you so desire..

I've never seen fresh ramen anywhere... maybe that's an asian store thing or a big city thing?

Anyway, Nissan brand oriental flavour is also veg friendly. It's also pretty easy to find, too and often quite cheap (the stores around here sell it for 10/$1).

It's also right delicious with some veggies tossed in (I use frozen veg mix cause it's more variety in faster time ;) ) and maybe some drained rinsed beans or nuts tossed in. The beans/nuts are sorta optional, but I've found they're pretty good for providing a bit of staiety in my meal instead of starving to pieces before dinner's done with. :D

i like to eat the noodles dry and broken up... i also like to mix them with veggies and olive oil in my hotpot :-D

beware of "natural flavors" tho... you never know what they really are, but chances are good that they'll be animal derived...

Arg! Damn this thread, for I have no Raman noodles.
As for the organic, etc Ramen Noodles, they ruin the whole point of having a meal for fifteen cents.

And, if you are worried about the salf, simply add less seasoning in the process of preperation.

Ramen noodles contain poison. So called meat flavour is one of many chemicals. It will make you sick sooner or later. Anything fortyfied is also a poison. Have a nice day. James.