7 Vegan Asian Noodle Recipes to Strive: From Pad Thai to Ramen

Noodles that hail from Asia are easy of their composition but complicated of their versatility. Most comprise solely three to 4 elements (together with water), and but the variations are deliciously infinite, all relying on the kind of flour used and the best way during which the noodles are rolled and minimize. There are squiggly, chewy ramen noodles; broad, slippery rice noodles; toothsome soba noodles; and so many extra. Every noodle selection has its personal style and texture, and we’re going to discover among the hottest Asian noodles, how they’re made, and what dishes they’re present in. 

The distinction between noodles and pasta

Each European (particularly, Italian) and Asian noodle varieties return centuries, but there may be an accepted distinction amongst society between noodles and pasta. For instance, one sometimes wouldn’t name chow mein a pasta dish, and but its elements aren’t too dissimilar from pasta primavera—an Italian dish additionally manufactured from noodles, greens, and sauce. 

The principle distinction between noodles and pasta lies within the flour used to make it. Durum flour is nearly completely used for pasta (aside from gluten-free varieties) whereas noodles will be constructed from quite a lot of flours together with widespread wheat, rice, and buckwheat. Historians agree that civilizations in Asia created the noodle lengthy earlier than it emerged in Europe, however there isn’t a robust consensus on the origins of pasta. The parable that explorer Marco Polo introduced again Chinese language noodles to Italy within the thirteenth century has largely been debunked by meals historians, however whereas some insist Arab nomads introduced noodles to Europe earlier than Polo’s travels, others consider Europeans developed pasta on their very own. 

“Noodles are one factor, pasta one other meals altogether. They replicate two separate culinary cultures and identities which have developed in parallel, the one conjunction being the necessity for nourishment and, above all, to share across the identical desk emotions and on a regular basis life occasions,” meals historian Anna Maria Pellegrino instructed the South China Morning Submit.

Varieties of Asian vegan noodles

The checklist beneath is under no circumstances exhaustive, nevertheless it does embody among the most typical Asian-style noodles you’ll come throughout in American grocery shops and pan-Asian eating places. 

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1 Udon

Udon noodles will be spherical or broad, however the texture of both type is thick, chewy, springy, and silky, making them the proper slurpable noodle. They’re made with wheat flour, water, and salt and are impartial in taste. You’ll most frequently come throughout this Japanese noodle served in a flavored broth. 

Jannet Grannow

2 Ramen

Ramen noodles are extra complicated than some Asian-style noodles, however that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t make them at dwelling. These noodles are made with an alkalized resolution blended with high-protein wheat flour, water, and salt. The standard technique requires kansui—an alkaline mineral water—although some do-it-yourself recipes swap this hard-to-find ingredient out with a combination of baking soda and water. Be aware: whereas not the standard technique, now we have come throughout a ramen store or two that serve egg-based noodles. If the noodles look extra yellow than you’re used to, it’s a telling signal they comprise eggs. 

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3 Vermicelli

This skinny, slippery noodle truly began as a pasta. It has Italian roots, however within the US, you’ll most frequently come throughout it in Vietnamese functions comparable to spring rolls, soups, and stir-fries. Past the sauces and condiments served with it, the most important distinction between Italian and Vietnamese vermicelli is within the flour—durum wheat flour is utilized in Italy, whereas rice flour is utilized in Vietnam.

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4 Soba

Constituted of buckwheat flour, these hearty noodles have a toothsome chew and a pleasantly grainy texture. They’re usually served chilly in a sesame noodle salad or alongside a relaxing and flavorful dipping broth. 

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5 Rice

Vietnamese-style vermicelli falls below the rice noodle class, however the variations of this versatile noodle should not confined to a skinny, lengthy strand. Rice noodles will be skinny and wispy like angel hair or thick and flat like an extra-wide fettuccine. You’ll come throughout them in quite a lot of dishes comparable to pad Thai, pad see ew, and pho. 

Okonomi Kitchen

6 Glass 

These Asian noodles are translucent, lengthy, and skinny. They’re naturally gluten-free and mostly constructed from mung bean or candy potato starch. Glass noodles are comparatively flavorless however take in the broth or sauce they’re paired with. These noodles have been adopted in quite a lot of Asian cuisines from Korean japchae to Thai pad woon sen. 

Learn how to make vegan Asian noodles

While you’re Asian noodles, the method can actually be thought of a mission. The elements and particulars fluctuate from noodle to noodle, however noodle-making sometimes includes combining moist elements (most frequently water or a water resolution) with dry elements (some form of flour), kneading, resting, folding and slicing, and at last boiling. It’s a kind of ability units that will get simpler and extra intuitive with follow. Selfmade noodles aren’t notably complicated ingredient-wise—they only require some persistence. 

The place to purchase vegan noodles

Not up for noodle-making simply but? You could find loads of dried, vegan-friendly Asian noodle choices at supermarkets and impartial retailers. Udon, rice, soba, vermicelli, and ramen noodles are all honest sport—simply keep away from any bins marked egg or chow mein noodle, as these comprise eggs. Cookbook creator Hannah Che recommends swapping egg-based soup noodles for contemporary ramen or skinny wheat noodles and mung bean vermicelli noodles for chow mein.

Vegan noodle recipes

Like Italian pasta noodles, Asian-style noodles correspond with particular dishes. There’s a little bit of wiggle room, and the noodle police gained’t come knocking in your door when you pair udon with ramen broth, however we do advocate attempting the dish-as-is first, then have enjoyable experimenting when you select. From basic pad Thai to chilled noodle salad, listed here are seven stable noodle recipes to strive.  

Chrissie Mergogey

1 Candy and Spicy Noodle Salad

We love a “not salad” salad. This dish consists of chewy rice noodles, a bounty of blended greens, candy mango, coloured veggies, and a wealthy and nutty peanut sauce to convey all of it collectively. It nearly tastes like a really massive deconstructed spring roll.   
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Jannet Grannow

2 Simple Vegan Ramen Noodles with Cabbage and Mushrooms

Selfmade ramen isn’t as intimidating as one might think about. This easy, tried-and-true recipe is simple sufficient for the novice prepare dinner, and the outcomes are much more satisfying than instantaneous ramen. 
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Jessica Randhawa

3 Vegan Ginger Garlic Noodle Soup

Rooster noodle soup pales compared to the nurturing powers of this comforting bowl of noodle soup. The broth is enriched with contemporary ginger and loads of garlic, complemented by meaty mushrooms, tender bok choy, and silky rice noodles to offer this soup some physique and texture.  
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Jeeca  Uy

4 Saucy Vegan Pad-Thai with Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu

Replicate your favourite Thai takeout with this taste bomb of a recipe. Chewy, thick rice noodles take in a daring peanutty sauce accented with fish sauce, tamarind, and lime juice, making for a well-balanced style that hits candy, salty, and bitter notes. Pan-fried tofu provides a crispy texture and extra protein for a meal that can satiate you for hours. 
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Katy Beskow

5 Spicy Vegan Noodle Soup

All you want is 5 elements, one pot, and quarter-hour to make this creamy, spicy noodle soup. It’s wealthy—the broth is constructed from full-fat coconut milk and crimson curry paste—so when you’re on the lookout for a lighter choice, strive reduced-fat coconut milk or minimize the richness with a little bit of vegetable broth. 
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Emily Von Euw

6 Vegan Udon Noodle Bowl

Easy, fast, and flavorful—that is the form of cooking we wish to grasp. This noodle dish solely requires seven elements however offers the identical quantity of consolation and satisfaction as a fancy pad Thai. It’s excellent for a busy weeknight if you’re crunched for time however nonetheless crave one thing wholesome and nourishing. 
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Nadine Horn and Jorg Mayer

7 Speedy Vegan Miso Ramen

This ramen is all concerning the noodles and toppings. The broth is merely a vessel during which to pile on the springy ramen noodles and no matter produce and protein you’ve in your fridge. Tofu, bean sprouts, sliced carrots, and scallions are a terrific begin. 
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