Glass noodles (cellophane noodles) are long, gelatinous noodles found in dishes from soups to stir-fries to hot pots across China and Southeast Asia. While most people refer to this ingredient as glass noodles, most versions of this food aren't transparent. It's commonly an opaque white or brown thread, skinny and long, that gets most of its flavor from the foods surrounding it. Easy to use and cook, glass noodles are the type of starch anyone can get behind, especially since it's gluten-free.
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Fast Facts For Glass Noodles
- Cook Time: 3 to 5 minutes
- Other Names: Cellophane noodles, Chinese vermicelli, fensi, bean thread noodles
- Main Ingredient: Water and starch (mung beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca)
- Substitutes:Rice vermicelli, soba noodles, angel hair pasta
What Are Glass Noodles
Though some glass noodles look fairly clear, most of the noodles under this moniker have a cloudy, opaque look and can be either snowy white, light gray, or subtle shades of brown. This all depends on what starch is used, be it mung beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, or tapioca.
The most common glass noodles use mung beans or sweet potatoes. For example, in China, most glass noodles are created with mung bean flour, whereas in Korea it's common to find noodles made with sweet potato starch and under the name dangmyeon. Another popular name for this noodle is cellophane noodles, which is just as common on packaging as glass noodles.
Glass noodles are made by making a slurry with processed mung bean or other flour and water, which gets mixed, pulled, washed, and eventually stretched. To make the glass noodles, the mixture gets pressed through what looks like a giant sieve. Then the strands are draped over dowels and dried.
Glass Noodles vs. Rice Vermicelli
While both of these foods are gluten-free, glass noodles are commonly made with mung bean flour while vermicelli is made with rice. Rice vermicelli is also always a solid white and doesn't have the transparency of glass noodles. It's easy to get the two foods confused. Aside from looking similar, both ingredients get used in soups, stir-fries, and served cold in salads.
Glass Noodle Uses
One of the best things about glass noodles is they can be served hot, tepid, or cold. Hot glass noodles are found in soups and hot pots to give the dishes some heft and starchy notes. Many stir-fries and noodle dishes are served at room temperature, which works fine for this ingredient.
Unlike wheat noodles, the glass noodle doesn't get so sticky when it cools, which means when you chill it and stuff it into a rice paper roll with shrimp, lettuce, and minced pork, there's still that pleasant, refreshing chew. It's also a great noodle for a cold salad dressed with peanuts, lime, cilantro, and other bold ingredients. Unlike other noodles, these can be deep-fried for a puffy, crunchy texture.
How to Cook With Glass Noodles
Dried glass noodles can be boiled for about three to five minutes depending on the thickness. They can also sit in warm water and soften that way. Once cooked, toss into a hot pan with sauteed vegetables and sauce for a savory noodle dish. Or add the glass noodles into a soup or hot pot setup. If making a salad, chill the noodles for about an hour before and serve cold.
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What Does It Taste Like
On their own, glass noodles don't have much flavor. They are bland with the slightest chew and a tinge of starchy sweetness. The noodles soak in the nuances of the dish, so if put in spicy broth the glass noodles will be savory with some heat. Or if mixed with a soy sauce-based sauce, the glass noodles will impart a salty, umami note.
Recipes
Many Asian dishes call for glass noodles, which can be great in noodle dishes with vegetables, stuffed into rice paper to make spring rolls, and put into a variety of soups. Serve them cold and in a hearty noodle salad.
- Thai Glass Noodles in Savory Sauce
- Korean Stir-Fried Noodles
- Vietnamese Spring Rolls Filling
Where to Buy Glass Noodles
When sourcing glass noodles, also look for them under the names cellophanenoodles, bean thread noodles, orChinese vermicelli. Most of the time, glass noodles are found in the Asian section of a grocery store or in abundance in Korean and Chinese markets. There are plenty of types, mostly imported, but not a lot of variety when it comes to taste or style. Also check the gluten-free area of the supermarket.
How To Store Glass Noodles
Like regular pasta, glass noodles should be kept in a cool, dry place away from moisture. It's best to hold them in a sealed jar or bag. The noodles will last several months or even a year when stored properly.
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