HOW TO USE YOUR NOODLE/S

Everyday and Specialist Noodles for Healthy Chinese cooking

first published 2015; updated 3/2023

prices up but still wallet-friendly

Noodles are an excellent backdrop for Chinese dishes and are faster and easier to prepare than rice.  They come in many shapes and sizes and are made from many ingredients. Those with wheat and gluten allergies will have a happy shopping day in a big Chinese supermarket like Loon Fung on Gerrard Street, London, or in other UK Chinatowns.  You can also buy Chinese noodles in some Japanese supermarkets. 

A nice bit of fresh
 Chinese Ginger

The popularity of Chinese cooking has encouraged UK supermarkets to stock own-brand noodles.  The supermarkets have good relationships with Chinese & Thai producers and their egg noodles are almost indistinguishable from those in Chinese supermarkets. 

Specialist noodles will only be available in Chinese supermarkets but most, sadly, do not do online orders. When in a Chinese supermarket, it's worth buying a couple of noodle types; they won't go off but are best kept in a plastic bag.  Even better is to find a few other people who enjoy cooking Chinese, form a shopping club and share costs and products.  

Most Chinese noodles require no cooking.  Simply pour boiling water over; leave 5 mins, drain and rinse in cold water.

The noodles in this selection like everything have gone up but are still wallet-friendly around or under £2 a pack.  (Organic Soba and Udon noodles not included.) 

Common All-Garden Supermarket  Noodles

Supermarket egg noodles come in a surprising variety and are well-priced at £1/ish a pack.

Once considered an ok alternative until a visit to Chinatown, the noodles are now seen as the 'do-we-really-need-to-go-to Chinatown?' option.   

Rice Vermicelli
(these are from M&S)

Rice Noodles:

For the wheat-phobic.

Gluten-free and thinner than egg noodles. Cook quickly according to instructions. 

Often used in Singapore Noodles.

'Glass' or 'Thread' bean starch noodles

'Glass' or 'thread' Noodles 

Known as 'Dieters' Delights' they  are made from green bean starch and lower in carbs.  They're very popular with singletons and slimmers.

Transparent & springy, they soak up flavours beautifully.

Buy in Chinatowns & some supermarkets (eg Sainsbury's) in singleton portions (£2.50 for 8x2oz) or family sized packets.  

Vegetarian/Vegan Noodles

Vegetarian/Vegan  Noodles

Egg free, these are a  boon for Vegetarians and Vegans. They taste almost as good as Egg Noodles and have a lovely texture.  

They crisp up beautifully in a small amount of oil.  Sweet potato noodles are also available.

Ho Fun (flat) Noodles 

Flat wheat noodles, also known as rice sticks, Ho Fun and Shredded Flour Noodles, are the sturdiest of this lot and do require cooking. They're worth it -- they have a wonderful mouth texture and stand up well to intensely savoury dishes, often involving fermented black beans.  
Drop the noodles in boiling water, reduce heat & simmer 7 mins.  Drain & rinse.  

Tip:
In London's Chinatown, there are 3 major supermarkets, two across from one another on Gerrard Street and one on Lisle Street, one street south

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This information has been compiled by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.

B Lee/Bright Sun Enterprises accept no liability for the consequences of any action taken on the basis of the information provided