Know The Ingredient: What are glass noodles?
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July 22nd, 2013
The noodle is a widely debated topic. Where was the first noodle invented? Carbon dating of the world's oldest noodle suggests it was 4,000 years ago in China - not Italy as many Europeans firmly believe. Can ramen soup contain udon noodles? Absolutely not: ramen is ramen, udon is udon. And what should I buy when when seeking out 'glass noodles'? That's a tougher one, although they certainly won't be labelled rice vermicelli.
Traditionally rice noodles or vermicelli were a luxurious treat - if guests came around unexpectedly, instead waiting the hours it takes to properly rinse and steam rice, you could cook a quick dinner in a matter of minutes. Today they are a staple across Asia. In Singapore they are the base of Singapore fried noodles, with their deep yellow colour from turmeric and curry powder. In Vietnam, cold rice noodles stuff summer rolls. And in Thailand, the wider 'tagliatelle' style 'rice sticks' are fried in a pad Thai. However, rice noodles are white, opaque and certainly not glass-like or translucent - as you'd expect from a glass noodle. So what are glass noodles?
Glass noodles are made from vegetable starch - most commonly mung bean, and less often sweet potato, or pea. Semi-translucent when dry, when freshly cooked, glass noodles are truly glass-like and translucent. We've pulled together a brief guide to help you choose and cook the right vermicelli below. All are great for a gluten free diet.
Rice Vermicelli Noodles
The 0.8mm rice vermicelli are popular in Vietnamese summer rolls, and Singapore fried noodles. Soak in cold water for 3-5 minutes and then boiling water for 5 minutes, until soft. If the rice noodles are to be stir-fried, soak in warm rather than boiling water. This helps to prevent them clumping together.
Mung Bean Thread Vermicelli - Glass Noodles
Mung bean vermicelli are famously used in Thai salads, and 'ants climbing the tree' - a Sichuan Chinese dish, made with minced pork. When the noodles are lifted up with chopsticks, the pieces of minced pork sticking to the noodles are thought to look like the eponymous ants climbing a tree. Some favourites from UK food bloggers include serving with scallops, garlic and a little soy often served on the half shell, or the Malaysian and Singaporean Nyonya Chap Chye.
Bean thread vermicelli, also known as mung bean vermicelli, are the most commonly known glass noodles or cellophane noodles. To cook, simply soak in boiling water for 3 minutes.
Sweet Potato Vermicelli
Sweet potato vermicelli (or dang myun in Korean) are most famously cooked in the Korean dish Japchae or Chap Chae - fried vegetables with noodles. The sweet potato was brought to Japan in the 17th Century, and then to Korea in the mid-18th Century to help alleviate famine - and it has been a popular part of the diet in both countries since.
Sweet potato vermicelli are greyish, almost purple in colour. When freshly cooked they are more translucent than in the picture below - they lose their translucence on resting. The aroma is stronger than bean-thread noodles, although the flavour is little different, especially when stir fried with other ingredients. To cook, soak in boiling water for 12-15 minutes. They are thicker than bean-thread vermicelli, but are a very good substitute when looking for something a little more substantial.
