What is the Difference Between Fresh Ramen And Instant Noodle Soup?

Instant noodle soups have long been a friend to the late-night studier, but perhaps not to our overall well-being. Plagued with an excess of sodium and an ingredient list full of mysterious preservatives, it’s no surprise that the leading packaged instant ramen brands are on the naughty list when it comes to easy meals. In fact, a 2014 study found that women who ate instant ramen noodles at least twice a week had a 68% higher risk for metabolic syndrome.

Our fresh, organic Ramen Kits stamp out the stigma surrounding quick-to-prepare ramen by satiating our desire for chewy noodles swimming in rich broth without any of the guilt. We often get asked what sets our Ramen Kits apart from the 79¢ dried instant noodles you find in the center aisles of the grocery store – here’s why Pressery Ramen Kits are worth a few extra bucks and a trip to the refrigerated section: 

Pressery Ramen Does Not Contain MSG or tBHQ

Both of these acronymous additives have developed sinister reputations for the health-conscious consumer, and are found in a wide range of processed foods, including the leading instant noodle soup brands. Pressery Ramen Kits do not contain either substance and here’s why:

Tertiary butylhydroquinone (mercifully shortened to tBHQ) is a synthetic antioxidant that is used to extend the shelf life of oily and fatty foods. The National Library of Medicine has reported vision disturbances in humans who have consumed tBHQ and neurotoxic effects in animals exposed to the substance. A study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest also found increased incidents of tumors in rats linked to tBHQ.

Monosodium Glutamate (aka MSG) refers to the sodium salt derived from glutamic acid and is a widely-used flavor enhancer. While naturally-occurring glutamates imbue some of our favorite foods with a rich umami flavor, extracted MSG has been linked to muscle tightness, fatigue, tingling, and flushing in sensitive groups. While contentious debates rage on in the scientific community in regards to the safety of MSG, we prefer to keep it off our ingredients list for those who do experience MSG-related symptoms.

Made With Fresher, More Nourishing Broth

Perhaps unsurprisingly, powdered ingredients can’t hold a candle to the health benefits of the fresh, slow-simmered broth that we use in our Ramen Kits. Organic chicken bone broth provides a nourishing base for our Shio Spicy Chicken Ramen Kit, and has been linked to a myriad of health-boosting effects, including better sleep, healthy digestion, and joint protection/repair. It is also rich in Vitamins A & C, as well as Calcium and Iron. Our rich miso broth (the mouthwatering base for our Miso Veggie ramen kit) also boasts gut-healthy probiotics. The best part? There’s no need to add water. All of our kits come with fresh liquid broth to retain all the nourishing goodness extracted during the cooking process, with none of the hard-to-pronounce chemicals found in typical instant ramen. 

Pressery Ramen Contains More Protein

Packing a protein-rich punch with a whopping 18g of Protein (36% of your daily value), our Shio Spicy Ramen Kit makes for a perfect post-workout recovery food. Protein is essential to build and repair tissue in our bodies, and is an important building block of muscles, cartilage, bones, skin, and blood. By contrast, the leading brand of dried instant ramen noodle soup contains only 7g of protein.

Pressery Ramen is Organic 

In addition to promoting environmentally-friendly agricultural practices, eating organic has been shown to have a medley of benefits for the consumer, including less to exposure heavy metals and pesticides, no antibiotics or synthetic hormones, and more healthy fats. All Pressery products are certified USDA Organic, including our Ramen Kits. 

Made with Reusable Packaging

When it comes to sustainability, we take our commitment to giving back seriously. In addition to donating a portion of our profits to combating climate change through our partnership with 1% for the Planet, we are dedicated to doing away with disposable by packing our ramen in 100% reusable and recyclable polypropylene containers. This durable cup-and-lid combo can be repurposed and reheated time and time again, giving our packaging multiple lives beyond its first use.

The takeaway? We use better ingredients and more sustainable practices to create a more healthful, nourishing quick-to-prepare ramen. We hope you enjoy!