Are you a fan of Shin Ramyun, the iconic Korean instant noodle brand that has taken the world by storm?
If so, you may be wondering whether this delicious and spicy noodle soup contains beef.
Well, the answer is yes – Shin Ramyun does contain beef, along with a blend of other savory ingredients that make it a favorite among noodle lovers worldwide.
But don’t worry if you’re a vegan or vegetarian – there are other options available from Nongshim, the company behind Shin Ramyun.
In this article, we’ll explore the ingredients in Shin Ramyun and take a closer look at its popularity and production process.
So, let’s dive in and find out more about this beloved noodle soup!
Does Shin Ramyun Have Beef?
As mentioned earlier, Shin Ramyun does contain beef as one of its key ingredients. The spicy beef broth is combined with soft and chewy noodles to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
However, if you’re looking for a vegan or vegetarian option, Nongshim offers other products that may suit your dietary needs. For example, their Soon Veggie Noodle Soup is a popular choice among those who prefer plant-based options.
It’s important to note that Shin Ramyun is not the only instant noodle brand that contains meat-based ingredients. Many other popular brands also use beef or chicken broth in their products.
The Ingredients In Shin Ramyun
The noodle component of Shin Ramyun is made from wheat flour, potato and wheat starches and vegetable oils. The soup powder contains a seasoning mix made from hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soy), maltodextrin, yeast extract, salt, garlic, onion, and wheat flour. It also contains spices such as black pepper, red chili pepper and mushroom. Sugar and glucose are added for sweetness, while flavor enhancers such as E631, E627 and mushroom are added to enhance the taste.
The vegetable flakes that come with Shin Ramyun include green onion, mushroom, bok choy, carrot and red chili pepper. Additionally, Shin Ramyun Black contains an extra packet of beef stock soup which gives the soup a more intensely savory flavor.
It’s worth noting that Shin Ramyun may contain traces of soy, wheat and other allergens. Therefore, it’s important to read the label carefully before consuming the product if you have any food allergies or intolerances.
The Popularity Of Shin Ramyun
Shin Ramyun has become one of the most popular instant noodle brands not only in South Korea but around the world. In fact, overseas sales of Shin Ramyun have exceeded domestic sales for the first time since its launch in 1986. Cumulative sales of Shin Ramyun in the first three quarters of 2021 totaled 690 billion won, with 53.6 percent coming from overseas markets.
The popularity of Shin Ramyun can be attributed to its delicious taste, affordable price, and convenience. It is now exported to over 100 countries and produced in three countries: the United States, China, and South Korea. As of 2015, accumulated sold units of Shin Ramyun in the world reached 28 billion units.
Furthermore, the spread of Korean culture such as K-pop and Korean movies has helped increase the popularity of Korean ramen, including Shin Ramyun. The strengthening of online marketing amid the spread of COVID-19 has also contributed to the surge in demand for instant noodles.
In the United States, Shin Ramyun has become a favorite food for local residents. Its popularity has been reported by several major U.S. media outlets after spreading by word of mouth among American consumers. The New York Times picked Shin Ramyun Black as the world’s most delicious ramyun whereas the LA Times also ranked this product as one of the top ramyun brands in the world.
Nongshim’s robust business performance within the U.S. market can be attributed to brisk sales of its instant noodle products in the mainstream retail scene. With sales surging in major retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon, Nongshim is planning to step up efforts to accelerate its penetration of overseas global markets as its second U.S. plant is scheduled to start operations at the end of 2021.
The Production Process Of Shin Ramyun
The production process of Shin Ramyun involves several stages that ensure the quality and taste of the final product. The first step is to mix filtered and temperature-controlled water with vitamins, salt, and other flavorings in a stainless steel tank to create a broth. This broth is then delivered via an 800-joint plumbing system to the mixing room, where it is combined with flour to create flavored dough.
Each noodle line consists of a mixer that drops vertically through a mezzanine into the dough kneader. The dough is then fed into a series of compound rollers and continuous rollers to achieve the desired noodle thickness. After stretching, the strands of noodles with about 43% moisture are conveyed through a steam tunnel, where they are cooked before entering a steam-fired palm-oil fryer.
The use of steam power instead of gas allows for more precise temperature control during the frying process. The oil drives off moisture in the noodles, effectively drying them. The noodles are then cooled on a special conveyor. Although some oil pick-up occurs during this process, the addition of antioxidants and adjustments to the oil recipe have enabled Nongshim to gradually push product sell-by dates to eight months.
Two of the plant’s four noodle lines generate large and small bowl noodles, which have a different texture than the noodles in aluminized film envelopes. Throughout the production process, Nongshim ensures that each batch of Shin Ramyun meets their high standards for quality and taste.
Shin Ramyun For Vegans And Vegetarians
For vegans and vegetarians, the good news is that Shin Ramyun now offers two vegan options: Spicy Veggie Ramen and Kimchi Flavor Ramen. These vegan ramen noodles are made with wheat flour and oil, just like the original Shin Ramyun, but without the meat-based broth.
If you’re looking for a hearty and satisfying vegan meal, you can also try Nongshim’s Spicy Korean Shin Ramen Noodle Soup. This flavorful soup is made with the bestselling Korean Shin Ramen and is perfect for those who prefer plant-based options.
It’s important to note that while the noodles themselves are vegetarian and vegan, the seasoning packets that come with instant noodles are usually not. Therefore, it’s important to read the label carefully before purchasing any instant noodle product.
