Is There Pork in Maruchan Ramen? Your Complete Flavor Guide

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

While the noodles themselves are typically free of animal products, the popular assumption that all Maruchan ramen flavors are meat-free is false. The seasoning packets are the main source of animal-derived ingredients, and yes, some flavors do contain pork.

Quick Summary

Some specific Maruchan ramen varieties, notably the 'Pork Flavor' packet and the 'Hearty Pork Tonkotsu' bowl, contain pork-derived ingredients. Most other flavors, like Chicken and Beef, contain other animal products, making them unsuitable for vegetarian or pork-free diets, though the plain noodles are typically vegan.

Key Points

Pork-flavored means pork: The Maruchan Pork Flavor packet and Hearty Pork Tonkotsu bowl contain pork-derived ingredients.
Noodles are often vegan: The plain ramen noodles themselves are typically vegan, made from wheat flour and vegetable oil; the seasoning packet is the source of animal products.
Most meat flavors contain animal products: Chicken, Beef, and Shrimp varieties contain animal-derived ingredients corresponding to their flavor, not just the pork ones.
No official vegetarian label: Maruchan does not officially certify any of its products as vegetarian or vegan, even for non-meat-named flavors.
Discard the flavor packet for a meat-free base: To ensure a pork-free or vegetarian meal, discard the seasoning and use your own plant-based broth and flavorings.
Halal compliance: Because many flavors contain non-halal animal products, Maruchan ramen is not generally considered halal; always check ingredient lists.

The Short Answer: Which Maruchan Flavors Have Pork?

For anyone on a pork-free diet, a common assumption is that flavors not explicitly labeled 'Pork' are safe. However, the truth is more nuanced, with the risk primarily residing in the seasoning packets, not the noodles themselves. Maruchan officially states that among its many products, only two items contain any pork ingredients: the Ramen Noodle Soup Pork Flavor and the Taste of Asia Bowl Hearty Pork Tonkotsu Flavor. A quick check of the ingredient list for the Pork Flavor confirms the presence of "Pork Broth" and "Pork Flavor Powder" in the seasoning packet. This means if the package explicitly mentions pork or tonkotsu, it is not safe for a pork-free diet. The good news is that the company is transparent about these specific flavors, making it easier to identify the products to avoid.

Why Most Other "Meat" Flavors Aren't Vegetarian

Beyond just pork, many other Maruchan flavors contain animal-derived ingredients, making them unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans, even if they are technically pork-free. The seasoning packets for flavors like Chicken, Beef, and Shrimp all contain animal products corresponding to their flavor profile. For instance, Chicken flavor contains ingredients like "Powdered Cooked Chicken" and "chicken fat", while Beef flavor contains "beef extract" and "beef fat". The Shrimp flavor is similarly flavored with "natural shrimp and lobster flavor". Additionally, the catch-all ingredient "natural flavor" can sometimes be derived from animal sources, adding another layer of complexity for strict dietary needs. This means that for anyone following a diet that excludes animal products, simply avoiding the pork varieties is not enough.

Identifying Vegetarian and Vegan Maruchan Flavors

For those seeking a truly vegetarian or vegan instant ramen, Maruchan does not make it easy. The company does not officially label any of its products as vegetarian or vegan, which is a major red flag for conscious consumers. Even seemingly innocuous flavors like Soy Sauce (previously known as Oriental) might contain animal-derived ingredients in the seasoning packet, such as beef fat or beef extract. This necessitates a careful reading of every ingredient list before purchase. While the plain noodles themselves are generally vegan, this is of little help if the seasoning packet is discarded. For those who want a simple, meat-free solution, they may be better off seeking alternative brands that explicitly label their products as vegetarian or vegan, such as Nissin Top Ramen Soy Sauce flavor, Mike's Mighty Good, or Koyo.

Comparison Table: Maruchan Flavor Ingredients


Flavor	Contains Pork?	Contains Other Animal Products?	Potentially Vegetarian/Vegan?
Pork Flavor	Yes	Yes (milk)	No
Hearty Pork Tonkotsu Bowl	Yes	Yes	No
Chicken Flavor	No	Yes (chicken fat, chicken powder)	No
Beef Flavor	No	Yes (beef fat, beef extract)	No
Shrimp Flavor	No	Yes (shrimp, lobster flavor)	No
Soy Sauce Flavor	No	Yes (beef extract/fat reported)	No
Chili Flavor	No	Yes (lactose, natural flavors)	No

How to Make Maruchan Ramen Vegetarian or Halal-Friendly

If you want to enjoy the noodles from a Maruchan packet but need to avoid the animal products in the seasoning, there is a simple workaround. You can discard the included flavor packet and season the noodles yourself.

Here's how to create your own flavorful, diet-friendly broth:

Use a high-quality vegetable broth as your base instead of just water.
Add a tablespoon of white or yellow miso paste for a rich, savory umami flavor.
Use a splash of soy sauce or tamari for depth.
Enhance with aromatics like garlic powder, ginger powder, and a dash of white pepper.
For a spicy kick, add a small amount of sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
Bonus: You can even add a touch of toasted sesame oil for a nutty finish.

Then, add your favorite toppings, such as cubed tofu, fresh vegetables like spinach or mushrooms, and a soft-boiled egg if your diet allows. This method ensures you have full control over your ingredients and can guarantee your meal aligns with your specific dietary restrictions.

Conclusion: Always Read the Label

In conclusion, it is a definitive yes, there is pork in Maruchan ramen, but only in specific flavors. However, the broader issue for those with dietary restrictions is that almost all meat-flavored varieties contain some form of animal product in the seasoning packet, not just the noodles themselves. The safest approach for anyone requiring a pork-free, vegetarian, or halal meal is to avoid the standard Maruchan flavor packets entirely. By discarding the seasoning and creating your own broth, you can enjoy the noodles while having complete certainty about the ingredients. For a more convenient, pre-packaged solution, alternative ramen brands with clear vegetarian or vegan labeling should be considered.

For more detailed product information, including ingredients for specific flavors, you can visit the official Maruchan website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the plain noodles in a Maruchan ramen packet are typically vegan and pork-free. The seasoning packet is where animal-derived ingredients, including pork in specific flavors, are found.

No, Maruchan Chicken ramen does not contain pork ingredients. However, it is not vegetarian, as the flavor packet contains chicken fat and other chicken-based flavorings.

Because many Maruchan flavors contain pork, chicken fat, or beef products, they are not generally considered halal. Consumers who follow a halal diet must check the ingredient list of each specific flavor carefully.

Maruchan does not officially label any of its products as vegetarian or vegan. Even the Soy Sauce flavor, which may seem safe, has been reported to contain animal-derived ingredients like beef fat.

Yes. To make a vegetarian meal with Maruchan noodles, discard the included flavor packet and use your own vegetable-based broth and seasonings instead.

Yes, many non-pork flavors contain animal products. For example, Chicken flavor has chicken fat, Beef flavor contains beef fat and extract, and Shrimp flavor uses natural seafood flavors.

For a reliably vegetarian or vegan option, consider alternatives like Nissin Top Ramen Soy Sauce flavor, Mike's Mighty Good Organic Ramen, or Koyo brand ramen, which are clearly labeled as meat-free.