by Gail Kavanagh

Created on: December 07, 2009

There are many different kinds of Asian noodles available in your supermarket now, which can be used in a range of delicious dishes. Here are the main types of Asian noodles, and the ways in which you can serve them.

Soba: These are thin flat Japanese noodles made from protein rich buckwheat. They look like thin, slightly darker fettucine, and are sold dried in packets. The color can range from light brown to green. Soba noodles boiled in water, and can be served hot or cold. Hot, they can be added to soups or form the basis of stir fries. When cold they can be served with vegetables and dipping sauces. A famous dish using these noodles is

Yaki-soba.

Hokkien: These noodles are more like spaghetti, being fatter and rounder than soba. These noodles are sold fresh in vacuum packs. The noodles come from the Hokkien province in China, and are used for many different dishes, such as soups and stir fries, but the most famous dish is Hokkien Mee. The noodles are stir fried with prawns, pork pieces and sliced cabbage. The noodles should be removed from the vacuum pack and soaked in hot water until they separate. You can quicken this process by moving them with chopsticks.

Udon: These fat white Japanese noodles also come fresh in vacuum packs, and can be eaten hot or cold. Like hokkien, the noodles should be removed from the pack and soaked in hot water to serve, using chopsticks to separate them. The simplest and one of the most delicious ways to serve them is in a clear chicken broth, with soy sauce, ginger and a few drops of sesame oil added. There are many famous udon dishes, such as Yaki-Udon, stir fried noodles with pork and vegetables.

Rice Noodles: Made from rice flour, these thin, almost transparent noodles are used in many Asian cuisines, but will be found most frequently in Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino dishes. Rice noodles are also known as cellophane noodles. Rice noodles are an excellent choice if you are gluten intolerant, as they are gluten free, having no wheat flour. Soak the noodles in hot water to soften them, and then run cooler water over them from the tap. Rice noodles need care in preparation or they quickly become a sodden sticky mass. The most famous rice noodle dish is Pad Thai, stir fried noodles with shrimp, vegetables, soy sauce and fish sauce. The noodles should be soaked in the broth for soups, not boiled. Rice noodles are also formed into rice cakes, which can be served with dipping sauces and salads.

Crispy Noodles: These are cooked noodles deep fried in oil to make them golden brown and crunchy. You can serve them on top of a stir fry as a garnish, or under the stir fry for a different taste and texture to boiled noodles. You can buy crispy noodles in packets from an Asian supermarket, or make your own.

Long Life Noodles: You may have noticed this brand of noodles at your supermarket and wonder why they are called long life noodles. Asian believe that noodles do confer long life, and are traditionally eaten at New Year to ensure health and wellbeing in the year ahead. This recipe contains symbolic ingredients for a traditional New Year dish. Long Life noodles should never be broken or cut.

Recipes using the various types of noodles can easily be part of any good cook's repertoire. Good eating!

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