A friend of mine mentioned some sort of low-calorie noodles a few years back. “Zero calories?” I scoffed. I didn’t think it would be tasty or worth my time, but I recently tried some and was won over.
Traditional shirataki noodles are vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly, making them pretty much the ideal food for people who might have food allergies or are on special diets. Due to the indigestible dietary fiber and lack of carbohydrates in the glucomannan starch they are made of, they naturally have no calories.
What you need to know about preparing and consuming shirataki noodles will help you decide whether or not to give them a try.
Difference between Shirataki & Ito Konnyaku?
The difference between the two is mostly appearance. As shown in the photos above, Ito-Konnyaku is thicker (4–8mm in diameter) and Shirataki is thinner (1-2mm in diameter). So same ingredients but created with a different shape. Most of the Shirataki and Ito-Konnyaku are produced in the Kanto and Kansai regions, respectively.
The dietary fibre has a function of suppressing an increase in blood sugar levels when taken before meals or at the same time as meals. It also contains 97% water and maintains the water when it passes through the intestine, which helps to eliminate constipation. Eating before meals gives you a feeling of fullness and helps to control calories and prevent overeating. (Source: https://kan-etsu.com/knowledge/konnyaku/)
If there are any Asian or Japanese grocery stores nearby, they usually stock shirataki noodles and Ito konnyaku. Also in Australia, you can buy those noodles from major supermarkets. Also, you can purchase Shirataki 
But…usually…they have a slimy texture. They also have an odd fishy or oceanic odor due to the alkaline water used to pack them. And they taste kinda weird. That is, unless you prepare them till they’re good.
Shirataki noodles (a. k. a. Noodle varieties include konjac, gluccomanan, Miracle, Skinny, Trim Healthy, Not Naughty, etc. ) are suitable for weight loss in virtually any lifestyle (such as Trim Healthy Mama) or diet (such as keto, low carb, etc.) because they have zero net carbs and zero grams of fat. ).
Shirataki noodles are enjoyed by some people from their first bite, but I personally had to develop a taste for them. I was ecstatic when I first tried them because they resembled ramen or pad thai noodles. But when I made them as instructed on the package, the resulting noodles were foul-smelling, slimy in texture, and tasted downright revolting. Major disappointment!.
So, in an effort to find a way to enjoy the shirataki noodles, I began experimenting with different ways to prepare them. After a lot of trial and error, I discovered this technique.
Shirataki noodles can be prepared in a variety of ways, but the one described below is my favorite because it best gets rid of the unpleasant ingredients and leaves a plain noodle that works well as a healthy vehicle for sauces and toppings.
What Are Shirataki Noodles Made Of?
Shirataki noodles come from a yam-like tuber called Devil’s Tongue. After being extracted from the tubers, glucomannan starch is combined with water and limewater to create konnyaku. Konnyaku is then shredded into traditional shirataki noodles.
Shirataki noodles may occasionally contain additional ingredients, such as soy, and may be labeled as tofu or having additional flavors. Tofu shirataki noodles will contain some calories as a result of the soy that has been added.
FAQ
How do you get the weird taste out of shirataki noodles?
Drain the noodles, place in a hot, dry pan, and cook for about 10 minutes on high (a dash of vinegar helps). Utilize in stir-fries, prepare in sauces or gravies, bake with cheese, and add flavor by using herbs and spices.
Do shirataki noodles taste like ramen noodles?
Shirataki noodles don’t have a strong flavor on their own, but because they are primarily made of water, they are excellent at soaking up the flavors of the soup they are cooked in. This also makes them quite similar to regular ramen noodles.
How do you get the fishy taste out of shirataki noodles?
I drained 1 bag of shiratake noodles and combined them with about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl. Spun it around for a short while to quickly remove the lemon juice. All fishy smell completely gone.
Are shirataki noodles supposed to be chewy?
Shirataki noodles don’t have a great deal of flavor or taste. The noodles’ flavor is created by cooking them in a sweet soy sauce. Shirataki noodles have a slightly chewy and rubbery texture.
