If you make a dish with glass noodles, you'll see right away how they got their name: Glass noodles are clear like glass once they're cooked. But what are glass noodles, exactly? Well, glass noodles, also called cellophane noodles or bean threads, are long, thin noodles commonly used in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Filipino, and other East and Southeast Asian cuisines. They're made from the starch of mung beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and/or tapioca and they look almost translucent when you cook them. Glass noodles taste similar to wheat pasta, but they’re slightly softer and heavier than, say, angel hair pasta, which is their closest Italian relative in shape and size. Because glass noodles don't contain wheat flour, they're usually gluten-free. (Always check ingredient labels to make sure that your glass noodles are produced in a gluten-free facility.) Keep scrolling to learn more about glass noodles and how to cook them.
Roland Bean Thread Noodles
Glass noodles are sold dried in packages, and you'll usually find them among the shelves with other Asian noodles, like rice and soba noodles. (You can also easily find the noodles online.) Glass noodles are long and thin and white or tan in color—they won't turn clear until they're cooked. They're great in stir-fries and salads—they soak up tons of flavor.
Are glass noodles healthy?
Despite not being made with flour, glass noodles are nutritionally similar to white flour–based pastas. (Each 1 cup serving of cooked glass noodles has 160 calories and 39 grams of carbohydrates, whereas the same amount of cooked spaghetti has 200 calories and only 24 grams of carbs.) Glass noodles are not a great source of fiber, protein, or vitamins, but they do offer a gluten-free alternative to flour-based pastas (again, be sure to check your package labels).
How do you cook glass noodles?
Glass noodles actually do not need to be cooked in boiling water. The easiest way to prepare them is to pour boiling water over them in a heatproof bowl and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes until softened before draining. (Check the label for instructions.) If you do choose to boil them, they will only need a quick 3 to 5 minutes.
What dishes can I make with glass noodles?
Glass noodles are very popular in East and Southeast Asian cuisines and are often served in both hot and cold preparations such as soups, hot pots, stir-fries, spring rolls, and cold salads. If you can't find them, you can usually use rice vermicelli (for chilled salads or spring rolls), soba noodles (for dishes like stir-fries) or angel hair pasta (for most soups) in their place. None of these substitutes will have the same translucent appearance, but they can be used in a pinch. Glass noodles are often served on the bottom of a dish with the sauce, vegetables and protein on top—and it's not mixed together until the last minute. (Glass noodles soak up liquid easily!) Try them in Ree Drummond's Veggie Stir Fry, Thanksgiving-inspired Leftover Turkey Spring Rolls, or these Shrimp Spring Roll Noodle Bowls!
FAQs
Glass noodles are transparent strands of starch derived from various tubers and beans. For the most part, they're tasteless and used as a conduit for flavor – dressed with spicy chili sauce or a robust sesame oil dressing.
What are glass noodles made of? ›
Cellophane noodles, or fensi (traditional Chinese: 粉絲; simplified Chinese: 粉丝; pinyin: fěnsī; lit. 'flour thread'), sometimes called glass noodles, are a type of transparent noodle made from starch (such as mung bean starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, tapioca, or canna starch) and water.
Are glass noodles healthy? ›
Glass noodles are fat-free and great for weight-loss diets. Reducing fats in your meal will combat obesity, cardiovascular disease, and several other metabolic disorders. Cellophane noodles are also a great source of iron. Getting enough iron in your diet ensures that oxygen is transported through the body.
What is the difference between noodles and glass noodles? ›
Vermicelli can be used to refer to noodles made with rice or mung bean starch. Glass noodles might describe those made with sweet potato or mung bean starches. Especially in a typical grocery store, labels may be more generic, Nguyen says, with such names as “rice sticks” or “Chinese noodles.”
Why are glass noodles so good? ›
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.
What is another name for glass noodles? ›
Glass noodles—also referred to as cellophane noodles, bean thread noodles, or fensi—are packaged dry and usually white or a light tan color. Once they are cooked, the noodles become transparent and look like glass, hence their name.
What are the healthiest noodles? ›
Here are some of the healthiest noodles you can buy now.
- Kelp noodles. Kelp noodles are almost transparent in appearance and are made from ground seaweed that has been mixed with water and salt. ...
- Soba noodles. ...
- Quinoa noodles. ...
- Rice noodles. ...
- Tips to make your noodles even healthier.
Glass noodles are sugar-free
By reducing sugar in your diet, you can help lower your cholesterol, blood pressure, chronic inflammation, and more. Because of this, glass noodles are often recommended to those with diabetes.
Can you eat leftover glass noodles? ›
I recommend storing leftovers in the fridge, but they will last in the freezer for a few months in a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat: You can heat your glass noodles again in a pan over medium-low. This will take about 3-4 minutes, but just make sure the noodles and vegetables are warmed all the way through.
Is sweet potato noodle the same as glass noodles? ›
While sweet potatoes are a good source of dietary fiber and have antioxidant properties, the glass noodles are just sweet potato starch noodles stripped of their nutritional benefits.
If you can't find them, you can usually use rice vermicelli (for chilled salads or spring rolls), soba noodles (for dishes like stir-fries) or angel hair pasta (for most soups) in their place.
Can you use glass noodles for spaghetti? ›
“You can substitute them for any pasta.” Slightly chewier than regular pasta, glass noodles are gluten-free. Find more Appleman meal ideas on Instagram @nappleman.
Do you soak or boil glass noodles? ›
How To Cook Glass Noodles. Some brands require soaking the noodles overnight, and others can be cooked immediately. The label will usually indicate best practices. The simplest way to cook the noodles is to blanch them in hot water.
Are glass noodles healthier than rice? ›
Glass noodles are lower in calories and GI.
This is because they can absorb a lot more water than rice and wheat noodles; so a plate of cooked glass noodles actually contains less carbs because there's more water in it. They are also lower in glycemic index than rice or wheat noodles.
How long do glass noodles last? ›
Unopened glass noodles can lasts for about 2 years from the production date if stored properly. Once the package is opened, they can be kept for around 2-3 months. But, don't rely strictly on these timeframes, always check the expiration date mentioned on the package.
What country uses glass noodles? ›
They're also known as cellophane noodles, Chinese vermicelli, bean thread noodles and fensi. Indigenous to Southeast Asian countries like China, Japan and Korea, glass noodles are typically used in soups, stir-fries and hot pots — flavorful dishes that compensate for glass noodles' lack of inherent flavor.
Are glass noodles gluten-free? ›
Glass noodles are smoother, softer, and more slippery than wheat noodles. (Plus, they're gluten-free, but always double check the ingredient list and potential cross-contamination details on the package.) These starch noodles are bouncy and chewy, with a relatively neutral taste, so they're all about texture.
Are glass noodles paleo friendly? ›
A: Yes, glass noodles are made with sweet potato starch so they are gluten free, Paleo and Whole30 friendly as well!
Are glass noodles the same as pad thai noodles? ›
Pad woon sen and pad Thai have one major difference: the type of noodle they feature. While they are both Thai dishes and are also both stir fries, pad woon sen uses glass noodles, while pad Thai uses rice noodles. Pad Thai is also typically more sweet and sour tasting, while pad woon sen is predominantly savoury.
Is glass noodle keto-friendly? ›
Glass Noodles are not keto-friendly because they are high in carbs. They may kick you out of ketosis even with a small serving size.
