5 Asian Noodle Recipes

5 Asian Noodle Recipes

If you're new to making Asian cuisine, then you're in for a treat! There are so many delicious dishes you can make that, at first, it may seem overwhelming. To begin your Asain food journey, we recommend making a classic noodle dish. While this may sound easier said than done, creating an Asian-inspired noodle dinner doesn't have to be hard. With the right guidance and knowledge, you can quickly discover what noodle dish best suits your family's cravings and how to make it. If you've ever stumbled upon the noodle aisle at an Asian food market, you may have noticed several different types of noodles to choose from. If you're not familiar with Asian cooking and don't know which noodle to use, don't worry. While most recipes will expressly state the noodle, it calls for knowing more about each type of noodle to ensure you make the right choice every time. There are three main types of Asian noodles: wheat noodles, rice noodles and glass noodles. Below we've outlined each of these noodle characteristics, gathered up cooking tips for each, and even have examples of our favorite Asian noodle meals. Each noodle can be enjoyed in countless ways, as well as served hot or cold! Keep reading to discover which noodle you'd like to try first.

Wheat Noodles

5 Asian Noodle Recipes | Bob's Red Mill Blog When it comes to Asian style noodles, wheat noodles are by far the most popular. In fact, wheat is one of the most common grains used for making noodles around the world. Much like Italian pasta, Asian wheat noodles are commonly made with wheat flour and egg. However, there is one key difference. Whereas Italian pasta is made by rolling and slicing the pasta dough, Asian noodles are made by pulling and stretching the noodles. This stretching method works to activate the dough's gluten, providing a unique texture and consistency to the noodle. Springy, bouncy and absolutely delicious, Asian wheat noodles can be used in various recipes ranging from main dishes to appetizers. For the ideal Asian-inspired wheat noodle dish, make these Whole Wheat Alkaline Noodles. Not only are these noodles easy to make, but they taste great when worked into dishes like Japanese ramen, Chinese meals like Zha Jiang, or any Asian soup! Additionally, because they're made with Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour, they're a great source of whole-grain nutrition. You could try using pasta flour if you dont have whole wheat flour on hand.

Lo Mein and Chow Mein

5 Asian Noodle Recipes | Bob's Red Mill Blog Some of the most popular Chinese dishes made with wheat noodles are lo mein and chow mein. While both dishes are made with a wheat noodle similar to spaghetti, the noodle is a bit thicker and can be found in fresh and dried forms. When deciding which type of noodle to purchase, the taste is generally the same. However, fresh noodles will spoil quicker than dried ones, so if you're not planning on making your recipe soon, you'll want to opt for dried noodles. No matter what variety of wheat noodle you purchase, it will need to be parboiled briefly before consuming. Doing so allows the noodles to puff up to their natural state. After boiling, you can then add your noodles in with the other ingredients in your main recipe. Stir-fried meat and vegetables, along with a sauce and the noodles, are combined to make a delicious Asian cuisine that will leave your mouth watering. When discussing the differences between chow mein and lo mein noodles, it all depends on the texture. Chow mein noodles are usually added during the stir fry process to create a crispier noodle, whereas lo mein noodles remain soft. When making lo mein, fresh noodles work best; however, dried noodles can be substituted if fresh is not available. Or, if you're skipping wheat altogether and still want to make a chow mein like dish, sub them for sesame noodles. This Sesame Noodles with Tofu and Almond Sauce is the ideal recipe to make when you're craving Asian cuisine. Savory, colorful and incredibly delicious, this dish features sesame noodles and veggies tossed in a delightful zingy sauce. The sauce made with our Almond Protein Powder adds a nutritious punch to this meal and is topped with sriracha for added heat.

Soba Noodles

5 Asian Noodle Recipes | Bob's Red Mill Blog Soba noodles are a unique Asian noodle that's made a bit differently from the rest. When making soba noodles, buckwheat flour is used in addition to wheat flour. This gives the noodles a distinct flavor, texture and color that they've since become known for. But that's not the only thing that separates this noodle apart from the rest. In addition to their unique use of flour, soba noodles are often eaten cold instead of hot. This cold dish served as a refreshing summertime meal in Japan and topped the list as one of our favorite Asian noodle recipes. For a genuinely mouthwatering treat, make this Miso and Tahini Cold Soba Noodle Salad. Served as a delightful and refreshing salad, cold soba noodles are mixed with seared tofu, microgreens, avocado and snap peas for added flavor and nutrients. Healthy and loaded with good-for-you ingredients, this soba noodle salad will surely impress anyone you serve it to. Make a batch the next time you're craving a flavorful Asian-inspired dish, or prepare it ahead of time as an easy, low-maintenance appetizer to bring to your next gathering. We're confident it won't disappoint.

Ramen Noodles

5 Asian Noodle Recipes | Bob's Red Mill Blog Aside from lo mein, chow mein and soba noodles, another famous Asian noodle recipe is ramen noodles. An egg noodle that originates from Japan, ramen noodles are treated with an ingredient called kansui. Its alkaline properties are what give ramen noodles their curly shape. Much thinner than chow mein and lo mein noodles, ramen noodles are commonly served with a broth flavored with soy sauce, salt and miso and then mixed with a handful of vegetables, meat and additional toppings. Because ramen noodles are quick and easy to make, they have become a favorite in households where there isn't much time to make an extravagant meal. Great tasting and simple, ramen is a flavorful meal that can be made in just minutes and is sure to fill everyone's stomachs at the table. Because certain ramen toppings are added to the noodles post-cooking, it's also a reasonably customizable dish. This means that everyone in the family can choose their flavors. An instant variety of ramen can be found on most grocery store shelves. However, many Asian food restaurants will serve a new type which may be found and specific Asian markets. Because ramen noodles are thin, they cook relatively quickly and will continue to cook in the warm broth, making it essential not to overcook them from the start. For the ideal use of ramen noodles, make this healthy Quinoa Asian Slaw. A flavorful blend of quinoa, cabbage and ramen noodles, this dish offers up a unique crunchy texture. Flavored with green onions, toasted sesame oil and soy sauce, it's an authentic homemade Asian noodle recipe that everyone will enjoy.

Glass Noodles

Glass noodles, a.k.a cellophane noodles, are a broad category of noodles made with any other kind of scratch other than wheat or rice. Tapioca starch, sweet potato starch and mung bean are among the most common starches used to make glass noodles. A thin, thread-like noodle, glass noodles take on a glassy, transparent appearance after being boiled - hence the name! Featuring a spring texture, they're more often used in stir-fries or deep-fried for a more crispy flavor.

Rice Noodles

5 Asian Noodle Recipes | Bob's Red Mill Blog For the second most popular category of Asian Noodles, rice noodles take the cake. Made primarily from rice starch, rice noodles are available in various sizes and can be found in cuisines all over Asia. The firm, springy and appealing in texture, the size of the rice noodles purchased often depends on the recipe you're making. When cooking with flavorful broths and sauces, the thicker variety of rice noodles works best as it's able to absorb all of the flavors better. Like wheat noodles, rice noodles can be purchased in dried and fresh varieties and need to be parboiled before cooking. Pad Thai and Vietnamese Pho are two of the most popular dishes in which rice noodles are used. Additionally, rice noodles can be formed into rice paper sheets that are then used to wrap Thai spring rolls in. To make a delicious Asian noodle recipe, learn how to make noodles from rice flour. This Rice Noodle Recipe is the perfect easy recipe to kick off your Asian cooking experience. Brown rice flour and potato starch are used to create the ideal rice noodles every time. Don't believe us? Try it out for yourself! We can't wait to hear what you cook up. The different ways to prepare homemade Asian noodles are endless. We hope that this overview of noodles and our five favorite Asian noodle recipes has helped inspire you to cook Asian cuisine more often. Loaded with flavor and health benefits, these dishes are ones you don't want to miss out on.  
Bob's Red Mill
January 14 2021

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