Asian Noodle Glossary

This list highlights ten of the most widely recognized and frequently used Asian noodles, showcasing their variety in ingredients, shapes, and popular applications. A lot of times we get stagnant in our kitchen creations and Asian noodles are fun to try plus many of the dishes made with them use a lot of vegetables. Add some of these to your list the next time you go to the store!

1. Ramen (Japan - Wheat Noodle):

   • Description: Springy, chewy, often curly yellow noodles made with kansui (alkaline water).

   • Common Use: The quintessential noodle for rich, flavorful Japanese noodle soups.

   • Easy for your dinner: Cook the noodles half way in water; drain. Heat and continue cooking in a flavored broth. Top with cooked mushrooms, corn, green onion and a boiled egg. This makes an easy filling dinner.

2. Udon (Japan - Wheat Noodle):

   • Description: Thick, chewy, white wheat noodles, either round or flat.

   • Common Use: Versatile for hot soups, stir-fries (Yaki Udon), or served cold with dipping sauce (Zaru Udon).

   • Easy for your dinner: Use udon noodles for your next stir-fry. They are a welcome change from rice!

3. Soba (Japan - Buckwheat Noodle):

   • Description: Thin, grayish-brown noodles made from buckwheat flour, with an earthy flavor.

   • Common Use: Enjoyed hot in soups or cold with a dipping sauce, a Japanese staple.

   • Easy for your dinner: Soba noodles make a great cold salad. Toss iwth your favorite dressing, leftover chicken, shredded carrots, edamame, and sliced almonds.

4. Lo Mein Noodles (China - Wheat/Egg Noodle):

   • Description: Medium-thick, round or flat, slightly chewy egg wheat noodles.

   • Common Use: Tossed with sauces, meats, and vegetables in "lo mein" dishes (meaning "tossed noodles").

   • Easy for your dinner: toss these cooked noodles with steamed veggies, protein, and a little soy sauce for a super fast and healthy meal.

5. Chow Mein Noodles (China - Wheat/Egg Noodle):

   • Description: Can be thin or thick, often referring to noodles that are stir-fried until crispy or soft.

   • Common Use: Fried or stir-fried with ingredients, achieving varying textures from crispy to tender.

   • Easy for your dinner: Use chow mein noodles to top an Asian salad with cole slaw, oranges, chicken, and chopped salad veggies.

6. Rice Vermicelli / Bihon / Mi Fen (Various Asian Cuisines - Rice Noodle):

   • Description: Very thin, delicate, white, thread-like noodles made from rice flour.

   • Common Use: Popular in stir-fries (e.g., Singapore Noodles, Pancit Bihon), spring rolls, and salads.

   • Easy for your dinner: Use these noodles in a stir fry recipe. They make a great one pot meal.

7. Flat Rice Noodles / Ho Fun / Banh Pho (Various Asian Cuisines - Rice Noodle):

   • Description: Wide, flat noodles varying in thickness, made from rice flour.

   • Common Use: A staple for dishes like Vietnamese Pho, Thai Pad Thai/Pad See Ew, and Chinese Beef Chow Fun.

   • Easy for your dinner: Rice noodles are gluten free and slightly lower in calories. But they soak up any sauce, making culinary magic. Try a Pad Thai recipe or put them in a Pho bowl.

8. Glass Noodles / Cellophane Noodles / Mung Bean Threads (Various Asian Cuisines - Starch Noodle):

   • Description: Translucent, gelatinous, and slippery noodles made from mung bean or other starches.

   • Common Use: Used in stir-fries, soups, spring rolls, and salads, known for absorbing flavors well.

   • Easy for your dinner: Glass noodles are gluten free and they cook very fast. They make delicious stir fries.

9. Wonton Noodles (China/Hong Kong - Wheat/Egg Noodle):

   • Description: Very thin, fine, and springy egg noodles.

   • Common Use: Primarily served in wonton noodle soup or tossed "dry" with sauce.

   • Easy for your dinner: Make a chicken wonton soup for a variety on the classic chicken noodle soup.

10. Korean Sweet Potato Noodles / Dangmyeon (Korea - Starch Noodle):

    • Description: Thick, chewy, translucent noodles made from sweet potato starch.

    • Common Use: The star of Japchae (Korean stir-fried glass noodles) and various stews.

    • Easy for your dinner: Korean sweet potato noodles have a chewy texture and absorb a lot of sauce and broth. They add good variety to your meals. Try a Japchae recipe or use it in a stir-fry dish.