Choosing the Right Noodles for the Job
For noodle soups you want to go small. Anything from the vermicelli to the medium size is fine. This is because rice noodles are flavorless and the broth will be the only source of flavor. Little noodles give the broth a lot of surface area to adhere to. If you eat too much, each bite will taste like too many boring noodles and insufficient flavor from the broth.
The exception is fresh wide noodles, or ho fun noodles; these can be used in soups as long as they’re not overly thick because they’re more delicate and less dense than the dried kind.
In reality, there are two varieties of fresh wide noodles available in Thailand: one is thinner and more delicate and is used for soups, while the other is thicker and more durable and is meant to withstand breaking in the wok.
The good news is that you can use any of these for stir fries; the texture you like best is really up to you.
How to Cook Rice Noodles
There is no one “correct” method for preparing dried rice noodles. There are a few distinct but comparable techniques, and once you begin making rice noodles on a regular basis, you’ll find your favorite.
Additionally, I’ve noticed that some brands of rice noodles soften more quickly than others. Continue purchasing the brand if you find one you like, and you will eventually discover the ideal soaking time for your preferred rice noodles.
The most popular way to cook dried rice noodles is as follows, and it’s usually the one specified on the package:
- Boil a pot of water, then turn off the heat
- Place the rice noodles in the pot or fully submerge them in a large bowl of boiling hot water.
- Swish the noodles around briefly to separate
- To make the noodles soft but still chewy, soak them for six to ten minutes.
- Drain the noodles
- Rinse briefly under cold water
Many chefs and home cooks have slightly different techniques that they like to use.
Other Cooking Methods:
Hot water, longer soak: Some recipes, like this one for Pad Thai, use hot tap water (not boiling) and soak the noodles for up to 30 minutes. The noodles cook slightly slower, making it less likely theyll get too soft.
Use cold water and soak the noodles for an extended period of time. Even though it might take several hours or longer, there’s less chance that the noodles will become overly soaked.
Noodles should be quickly boiled for two to six minutes before being rinsed in cold water. Careful with this method, as the noodles can easily over-cook.
More Information About Asian Noodles
I enjoy reading these blogs to get more information about rice noodles and other varieties of Asian noodles:
