It’s time for a healthier twist on one of Korea’s most famous noodles: Nongshim Shin Ramyun Light. This version of the iconic Shin Ramyun swaps the fried noodles for air-dried ones and claims to have 75% less fat and 25% fewer calories than the original. Shin is the product that originally got me hooked on Korean ramen, so I was curious to see whether this “light” version could deliver the same punch or if it would lose some of what makes the red pack so satisfying.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 158: Nongshim Shin Ramyun LightShin Light isn’t as easy to find as Shin or Shin Black. You might get lucky at an Asian grocery store or the occasional Walmart, but it’s more reliable online. Prices hover around $10-$12 dollars for a 4-pack, so you’ll pay a bit of a premium for the healthier formulation. It’s another case where eating lighter costs more, but if the flavor holds up, it might be worth it.
Each pack contains 1,800 mg of sodium, which is still hefty at 78 percent of your daily value. Inside the pack, you’ll find thinner, flatter air-dried noodles, a soup powder, a flake packet with bok choy, mushroom, carrot, and green onion, and something rare for a Shin product: a separate spicy seasoning oil. That oil adds a new dimension to the broth without changing its flavor base, which still includes beef extract, chili, soy sauce, and anchovy extract.
Once cooked, the aroma is familiar beef, soy, and mushroom, just like classic Shin, with a slick of red chili oil floating across the top. The air-dried noodles plump up nicely and look closer to the regular version after cooking.
Noodles:
These are outstanding. Air-dried noodles have a clean, satisfying bite and none of the greasiness of their fried counterparts. They feel lighter but somehow more refined, landing easily among the best noodles Nongshim has ever made. They’re firm, flavorful, and set a new bar for texture in Korean instant ramen.
• 10/10
Spiciness:
Before adding the seasoning oil, the spice level matches standard Shin at about medium heat. Once the oil is stirred in, it only slightly increases the burn, more of an extra tingle on the lips than anything else. The chili oil brings a slick broth texture more than intensity.
• 6.5/10
Overall:
This might be the best Shin variant yet. The broth is classic Shin through and through: salty, beefy, and full of umami depth, with a layer of chili oil that adds sheen and a gentle bite. The biggest difference comes from those air-dried noodles, which give the entire bowl a cleaner, less heavy profile. There’s still not enough vegetable content for my liking, but what’s there rehydrates well, especially the mushrooms and carrots. If you’ve ever wished Shin were healthier without sacrificing flavor, this is it. It tastes just as rich as the regular version while cutting fat and calories dramatically. The sodium remains high, but the payoff is a better texture and a broth that feels less greasy. I’d happily switch to this as my go-to Shin if availability weren’t such an issue. It’s proof that a “light” noodle doesn’t have to mean a compromise on taste or texture.
• 8.5/10
