Noodle Journey Episode 101: Nongshim Shin Green

For Episode 101, I’m following up my Shin Gold review with Nongshim’s other recent addition to the Shin lineup: Shin Green. Released in the US in 2022, this variety started out as a Kroger-exclusive before finally making its way to other markets. This one takes Shin in a completely different direction: a certified vegan spicy mushroom and fried tofu soup. While many instant noodles happen to be vegan, Nongshim went the extra step to have this one officially certified, making it a notable option for vegan noodle fans. I’m not vegan myself, but as a mushroom fanatic, I was eager to see what they had done here, especially since early feedback from others has been very divided.

A four-pack cost me $9.99 at H Mart, which is in line with its other premium Shin counterparts. Sodium clocks in at 1,550 mg per package, which is much lower than Shin Gold and on the lighter side for a Nongshim pack. Inside, you get the familiar round block of noodles, two powder packets (one with spicy soup base, one with plant-based thickener, mushroom powder, and other seasonings), and a sizable flake pouch. The flakes include shiitake mushrooms, fried tofu, and dried cilantro, though the latter loses its soapy edge for me when boiled. The mushroom aroma is strong even while cooking, with large, distinct shiitake pieces and decent-sized tofu chunks.

Noodles:
Same chewy, high-quality Nongshim noodles that have been a staple since my earliest Korean ramen experiences. The slightly oily aftertaste I often notice works especially well with this broth flavor.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
Milder than Shin Gold for me, and even a bit less spicy to me than Shin Black. The thickener or the recipe’s balance might contribute to its softer chili bite.
• 5/10

Overall:
This one’s a must-try for mushroom lovers. The broth delivers deep, earthy umami from shiitake paired with soy sauce, garlic, and chili pepper. The mushrooms rehydrate prefectly, maintaining their supple bite and earthy flavor. The fried tofu, however, is texturally too similar to the mushrooms and adds very little beyond stretching the flake packet. I think something firmer or more distinct would have been a better choice. Even with that minor misstep, the broth is rich, satisfying, and a little reminiscent of a Korean twist on cream of mushroom soup. If you enjoy mushrooms, vegan or not, you’ll likely find this worth buying again.
• 8.5/10

Notes since filming:

I honestly regret not giving this a 9 as an overall score, but I really felt at the time that those fried tofu bits in this were pretty useless. I’ve come around on them a little bit the more I’ve eaten this one, and so for all intents and purposes, you can consider this flavor a 9/10 overall.