Where To Buy Alkaline Noodles?

Ingredients

Asian Noodles vs. Italian Pasta

Asian noodles and Italian pasta have some significant differences despite the fact that some varieties resemble each other. Asian noodles are different from most pastas in that they are not meant to be cooked to the same al dente consistency. Some are soft; others have a firm bite. Others, like ramen, have a more springy resistance to the teeth while some are chewy.

In addition to wheat flour, rice, yam, and mung beans can also be used to make Asian noodles, though even that wheat is a different variety than the durum wheat used to make pasta. Due to all of these texture and flavor differences, Asian noodles cannot usually be substituted for Italian pasta.

A guide for how to shop for, cook, and use the wide variety of Asian noodles available at large grocery stores and specialty markets.

The world of Asian noodles is vast. You can find aisles of noodles in any Asian market, all with different shapes, lengths, and textures. In Asia, noodles are more than just a dish; they have a 4,000-year history as an integral component of culture. Even the length of the noodles has meaning; they are frequently used as symbols of longevity in celebratory meals.

It can be confusing for a novice noodle shopper to sort through a grocery’s numerous noodle options. Similar types of noodles can be purchased packaged in both soft and dried form in Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan. The sheer number of varieties is overwhelming, which is made worse by the lack of a recognized nomenclature, language, or even classification system for noodle varieties. Due to this, it is challenging to distinguish between different types of noodles and make a decision. The following guide will help you recognize some of the most popular noodles found in Asian markets in the US.

FAQ

What noodles are alkaline?

Alkali noodles, also known as alkaline pasta or alkaline noodles, are a type of pasta that contains a lot more alkali than usual. The most popular examples are Chinese Lamian and Japanese Ramen noodles.

Are instant noodles alkaline?

Ramen noodles are made of wheat, and the dough frequently contains one or more alkaline salts in the form of kansui, which is Japanese for “alkaline water” or “lye water.” The majority of noodle producers use a kansui powder that they dissolve in a specific potassium carbonate to sodium carbonate ratio.

What is alkaline noodles made of?

Jian Shui Mian, also known as alkaline noodles, are essentially wheat noodles with an alkaline component. They are frequently used in Southern Chinese noodle dishes and ramen dishes, also known as Japanese noodle soup (BTW, this isn’t referring to the instant ramen in packages).

Are yellow noodles alkaline?

They are typically parboiled and made with wheat flour, water, salt, and alkaline salt. The alkaline salt gives the noodles their yellow color, firm texture, alkaline flavor, and high pH.