Noodle Journey Episode 165: Nongshim Noodle Salad with Miso Vinaigrette

After my last cold noodle review fell flat, I wanted to give the category one more shot before summer ended. That’s when I came across Nongshim Noodle Salad with Miso Vinaigrette, one of three cold noodle “Noodle Salad” varieties Nongshim currently makes for the US market. The others feature gochujang and sesame vinaigrettes, but this one caught my eye immediately because I love miso and had never tried a cold noodle dish built around it. I picked up a four-pack at my local Asian grocery for $8.99, hoping it would redeem the cold noodle genre.

Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 165: Nongshim Noodle Salad with Miso Vinaigrette

Each bag clocks in at 1,580 mg of sodium, which is high, but not terrible for instant noodles. Inside are bright orange air-dried noodles, a vinaigrette packet, and a generous vegetable flake pack. The ingredients aren’t fully broken out by category, but the noodles are made from wheat flour and potato starch with some form of coloring, possibly paprika. The vinaigrette includes miso paste, anchovy and bonito extracts, apple extract, balsamic vinegar, onion, garlic, mustard, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Because of the fish elements, it’s pescatarian but not vegetarian. The flake pack contains cabbage, carrot, and bok choy, which rehydrates into a surprisingly hearty mix.

Once combined, the aroma hits hard with savory miso, tangy vinegar, sesame oil, and a faint Caesar salad–like note from the anchovy and bonito. The mix of umami and acid is instantly inviting and sets high expectations.

Noodles:
The noodles have a wonderful chew, air-dried, springy, and perfectly suited for a cold noodle salad. They don’t taste oily or starchy, and the texture holds up even after mixing in the dressing.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
There’s no chili here, just the natural zing from the vinegar and mustard in the vinaigrette. If vinegar’s tang counts as “heat” to you, this might register as being on the borderline of spicy, but otherwise it’s completely tame.
• 0/10

Overall:
This is a cold noodle done right. The dressing delivers complex, layered flavor: salty, umami-rich miso, faint fish notes from the anchovy and bonito, light sweetness from the apple extract, and a balanced acidity from the vinegars. It leans slightly sweet after a few bites, but not enough to ruin the experience. The vegetables are plentiful and crisp, offering a real contrast to the noodles, and an essential element that Nongshim has often skimped on in the past. It works really well as a base for additional toppings like tomatoes, cucumber, hard-boiled egg, or chicken, and feels far more like a real salad than a gimmick. The only downside is the noticeable seafood flavor element, which might be off-putting if you’re sensitive to fish flavors. Still, for anyone who enjoys miso or Caesar-style dressings, this is an absolute standout.
• 9/10

Notes since filming:

Could this be my favorite cold noodles product of all time? Yes, yes it could.