Nutrition Diet: Is Maruchan Gold Vegetarian? An In-Depth Look at Ramen Ingredients

November 9, 2025 •

3 min read

While the noodles in many instant ramen products are naturally plant-based, the seasoning packets often contain animal derivatives that make the entire dish non-vegetarian. This is especially true when considering the popular Maruchan Gold line. For those following a nutrition-focused, meat-free diet, understanding the specific ingredients is crucial to avoiding hidden animal products.

Quick Summary

The Maruchan Gold instant ramen line is not vegetarian because its flavor packets contain ingredients derived from animals, such as dried bonito powder (fish) and lactose (milk), even in flavors that may appear plant-based. The standard ramen noodles are typically vegetarian, but the accompanying broth base invalidates it for those on a meat-free diet.

Key Points

Not Vegetarian: Maruchan Gold is not vegetarian, even in flavors like Soy Sauce, due to animal-derived ingredients in the seasoning packet.
Hidden Ingredients: The broth base in Maruchan Gold varieties contains dried bonito powder (fish) and lactose (milk).
Egg Content: Some Maruchan Gold noodles contain egg white as an ingredient, making the noodles themselves non-vegetarian.
Label Reading: Always read the ingredients list carefully, as "natural flavors" and other additives can sometimes be animal-derived.
DIY Broth: A vegetarian alternative is to discard the Maruchan seasoning and create a custom broth using vegetable stock, miso paste, and other plant-based ingredients.
Certified Alternatives: Several brands, including Nongshim Soon Veggie and Mike's Mighty Good, offer certified vegan and vegetarian instant ramen options.

The Truth About Maruchan Gold's Vegetarian Status

Despite the common perception that instant ramen is a simple, plant-based meal, the reality is far more complex for those on a vegetarian diet. The core components of instant noodles—wheat flour, oil, and salt—are typically vegetarian or even vegan. The deciding factor lies almost exclusively within the included seasoning packets. For the premium Maruchan Gold line, a quick glance at the ingredient list reveals several animal-derived components, confirming that it is not suitable for vegetarians.

Decoding the Ingredient List: Maruchan Gold

To understand why Maruchan Gold is not vegetarian, it's necessary to examine the soup base ingredients. Two key examples from the product line reveal the use of animal products:

Maruchan Gold Soy Sauce Flavor: While the name suggests a plant-based broth, the soup base includes "dried bonito powder," which comes from fish. It also contains "lactose," a sugar derived from milk.
Maruchan Gold Spicy Tonkotsu Flavor: This variety explicitly states a tonkotsu (pork bone) style, which is immediately a red flag for vegetarians. It also contains "dried bonito powder" and "lactose" in its soup base. The ingredients list for this product even explicitly states it contains fish and milk products.

Comparison of Maruchan Gold Flavors


Feature	Maruchan Gold Soy Sauce	Maruchan Gold Spicy Tonkotsu
Flavor Type	Soy Sauce	Spicy Tonkotsu
Animal Product?	No, the broth is not vegetarian.	No, the broth is not vegetarian.
Non-Veg Ingredient(s)	Dried bonito powder (fish), Lactose (milk)	Dried bonito powder (fish), Lactose (milk)
Noodle Base	Contains egg white	Contains egg white
Key Takeaway	Even flavors that seem simple contain hidden animal products.	Explicitly labeled tonkotsu style indicates a meat base.

The Noodles Themselves

It's important to note that the noodles in some Maruchan Gold varieties also contain animal ingredients. For example, both the Soy Sauce and Spicy Tonkotsu list "egg white" as an ingredient, making them non-vegetarian even without considering the broth.

Spotting Hidden Animal-Derived Ingredients

For those trying to adhere to a plant-based diet, reading ingredient labels carefully is essential, as many instant foods contain hidden non-vegetarian components. Look out for these ingredients:

Broth or Stock: Any mention of chicken, beef, pork, or seafood broth or stock.
Fats: Ingredients like chicken fat, beef fat, or pork fat.
Lactose or other milk derivatives: Found in many seasoning packets for creaminess or flavor enhancement.
Dried Seafood: Ingredients like dried bonito powder or fish sauce.
Natural Flavors: The sourcing of "natural flavors" can sometimes be from animals, though this can be ambiguous.
Eggs: Listed separately, but in Maruchan Gold, it's in the noodles themselves.

Delicious Vegetarian Instant Ramen Alternatives

If Maruchan Gold is off the table, several brands offer explicitly vegetarian or vegan instant ramen options. These are often certified and use plant-based ingredients to create rich, satisfying flavors:

Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup: This is a popular and readily available vegan option.
Mike's Mighty Good Ramen: Offers several organic and vegan flavors, such as miso.
Koyo Ramen: Known for its natural ingredients and range of vegan flavors.
Dr. McDougall's Right Foods: Provides a line of low-sodium, organic, and vegan-friendly ramen cups.

Creating Your Own Vegetarian Ramen Experience

For those who still have a supply of Maruchan noodles, it is possible to make a vegetarian meal by discarding the included seasoning packet and creating your own broth. This allows for full control over the ingredients and nutritional content.

Here’s how to do it:

Boil the noodles separately and drain.
In a separate pot, simmer a base of vegetable broth.
Add vegetarian flavor enhancers like white miso paste, soy sauce, and fresh garlic and ginger.
Boost the nutrition with toppings such as cubes of pan-fried tofu, shiitake mushrooms, baby spinach, and shredded carrots.

Conclusion: A Mindful Approach to Instant Meals

So, is Maruchan Gold vegetarian? The definitive answer is no, due to the presence of animal products like fish powder and milk derivatives in its seasoning and, in some cases, eggs in the noodles. For a conscientious and successful vegetarian diet, it is vital to read every ingredient list, particularly with processed foods like instant ramen. Fortunately, with the growing market of plant-based alternatives and the ease of creating a flavorful homemade broth, a quick and convenient vegetarian ramen meal is still very much within reach.

Visit a resource on mindful eating for additional information on making healthy dietary choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Maruchan Gold is not vegetarian because its seasoning packets contain animal products like dried bonito powder (fish) and lactose (milk). Some varieties also contain egg white in the noodles.

Yes, some Maruchan Gold noodles contain egg white as an ingredient, making them unsuitable for vegetarians. The classic, standard Maruchan noodles are often vegetarian, but this isn't the case for all products.

Bonito powder is a flavoring made from dried fish flakes (bonito fish). It is commonly used in Japanese cuisine and is not vegetarian.

No, according to ingredient lists and analyses, all flavors of Maruchan ramen (including Gold and standard lines) are generally not vegetarian due to animal-based additives in the seasoning packets, such as beef extract, chicken fat, or fish products.

Some certified vegetarian or vegan instant ramen brands include Nongshim Soon Veggie, Mike's Mighty Good, Koyo Ramen, and Dr. McDougall's Right Foods.

To make Maruchan ramen vegetarian, you must discard the included seasoning packet. Instead, use your own homemade vegetable broth and add your preferred vegetarian seasonings and vegetables.

Common hidden ingredients include beef or chicken extract, powdered cooked chicken, beef fat, pork derivatives (like in tonkotsu), seafood extracts, and milk products like lactose, which are often listed in the seasoning packet.