List of noodles facts for kids

Various noodles commonly found in Southeast Asia

Misua noodle-making in Lukang, Taiwan

Noodles are a super popular food enjoyed all over the world! They are made from a simple dough, usually flour and water, which is rolled out flat. Then, this dough is cut into long, thin strips or strings.

You can cook noodles in many ways: boiling them, frying them in a pan, or even deep-frying them. They are often served with yummy sauces or in a warm soup. Noodles can be eaten fresh, kept in the fridge for a short time, or dried to save for later. This article will tell you about different types of noodles.

Popular Noodle Types Around the World

Fideo is a type of pasta commonly used in soups

Thai rice noodles

Commercial thin spätzle

Noodles come in all shapes and sizes, and many countries have their own special kinds. Here are some well-known types:

• Cup Noodles
• Fideo – A thin pasta often used in soups.
• Fried noodles – Noodles cooked by frying them in oil.
• Frozen noodles – Noodles that have been frozen for storage.
• Instant noodle – Quick-cooking noodles, often sold in packs or cups.
• Mohnnudel – A sweet noodle dish from Austria.
• Rice noodles – Noodles made from rice flour.
• Rice vermicelli – Very thin rice noodles.
• Schupfnudel – A type of potato noodle from Germany and Austria.
• Coca noodles
• Kesme – A traditional Turkish egg noodle.

Chinese Noodles: A World of Variety

Cellophane noodles

Shrimp roe noodles

Rice vermicelli

Chinese noodles are incredibly diverse! They can be different depending on where they are made in China, what ingredients are used, their shape, or how they are prepared. Noodles are a huge part of Chinese food, and also popular in places like Taiwan, Singapore, and other parts of Southeast Asia where many Chinese people live.

Some famous Chinese noodles include:

• Biangbiang noodles – Very wide, thick noodles from Shaanxi.
• Cellophane noodles – Also called glass noodles, they become clear when cooked.
• Chinkiang pot cover noodles – A special noodle from Zhenjiang.
• Cumian – A type of thick noodle.
• Daoxiao noodles – Knife-cut noodles, known for their unique texture.
• Dragon beard noodles – Very thin, delicate noodles.
• Henan braised noodles – A hearty noodle dish from Henan province.
• Hot dry noodles – A popular breakfast noodle dish from Wuhan.
• Jook-sing noodles – Noodles made by kneading dough with a bamboo pole.
• Kaomianjin – A type of gluten noodle.
• Lai fun – Thick, short rice noodles.
• Lamian – Hand-pulled noodles, stretched by hand.
• Liangpi – Cold skin noodles, often served with a sauce.
• Migan – A type of rice noodle.
• Misua – Very thin wheat noodles.
• Mixian – A type of rice noodle from Yunnan.
• Mung bean sheets – Wide, flat noodles made from mung bean starch.
• Oil noodles – Noodles often used in stir-fries.
• Paomo – A dish where flatbread is soaked in lamb broth with noodles.
• Saang mein – A type of egg noodle.
• Shahe fen – Wide, flat rice noodles.
• Shrimp roe noodles – Noodles made with shrimp roe for flavor.
• Silver needle noodles – Short, thick noodles shaped like silver needles.
• Yi mein – Chewy, slightly sweet egg noodles.
• Youmian – A type of noodle.

Hong Kong Noodles

Hong Kong has its own special noodle types, often found in local eateries:

• Gong Zai Mian – A type of instant noodle popular in Hong Kong.
• Wonton noodles – Noodles served with wontons (dumplings) in a broth.

Noodles from India

In India, you can find unique noodle varieties:

• Idiyappam – Also known as string hoppers, made from rice flour.
• Sevai – Thin vermicelli noodles, often used in sweet or savory dishes.

Filipino Noodles (Pancit)

In the Philippines, noodles are often called Pancit. There are many kinds:

• Canton – These are egg noodles, usually round and often used in stir-fries.
• Bihon – These are rice noodles, thin and delicate.
• Lomi – Thick egg noodles often served in a rich soup.
• Miki – Soft yellow egg noodles, usually flat.
• Misua – Very thin wheat vermicelli.
• Palabok – Yellow cornstarch noodles, often topped with a savory sauce.
• Sotanghon – These are glass noodles, clear and chewy.

Indonesian Noodles

Indonesia has a rich noodle culture with many delicious types:

• Bakmi – Wheat noodles, often served with meat toppings.
• Bihun – Thin rice noodles.
• Kwetiau – Flat rice noodles, often stir-fried.
• Mie goreng – A very popular stir-fried noodle dish.
• Mie balap – A fast-cooked noodle dish.
• Mie jagung – Noodles made from corn starch.
• Mie sagu – Noodles made from sago starch.
• Mie singkong – Noodles made from cassava starch.
• Soun – Made from tapioca or other starches. Blue soun can also be found, colored with food coloring.

Japanese Noodles: A Culinary Art

Fresh ramen

Slicing soba noodles as part of its preparation at the Kanda Matsuri

Japanese noodles are a very important part of Japanese cuisine. They are often served chilled with dipping sauces, or in warm soups and other hot dishes.

Some popular Japanese noodles include:

• Harusame – Japanese glass noodles.
• Hiyamugi – Thin wheat noodles, often served cold.
• Ramen – Wheat noodles served in a flavorful broth with toppings.
• Sanuki udon – A very popular type of thick udon noodle.
• Shirataki – Translucent, gelatinous noodles made from konjac yam.
• Soba – Thin noodles made from buckwheat flour.
• Sōmen – Very thin wheat noodles, often served cold in summer.
• Tokoroten – A jelly-like noodle made from seaweed.
• Udon – Thick, chewy wheat noodles.
• Wanko soba – A unique soba dish where small bowls of noodles are served quickly.
• Yakisoba – Stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables.

Korean Noodles (Guksu or Myeon)

Korean noodles are a big part of Korean cuisine. They are called guksu in Korean or myeon (similar to Chinese mien).

• Cellophane noodles – Used in dishes like Japchae.
• Cheonsachae – Noodles made from kelp.
• Dotori guksu – Noodles made from acorn flour.
• Garak guksu – Thick wheat noodles.
• Jjolmyeon – Chewy noodles often served with a spicy sauce.

Malaysian Noodles

Wonton noodles

Malaysia offers a variety of delicious noodle dishes:

• Char kway teow – A popular stir-fried flat rice noodle dish.
• Kolo mee – Dry noodles tossed in a savory sauce.
• Mee bandung Muar – A rich noodle soup from Muar.
• Mee goreng – Stir-fried noodles.
• Mee kari – Noodles in a spicy coconut curry broth.
• Mee Rebus – Noodles in a thick, sweet, and spicy gravy.
• Pan mee – Hand-torn or machine-cut flat noodles.
• Wonton noodles – Noodles served with wontons.

Thai Noodles

Thailand is famous for its flavorful noodle dishes:

• Khanom chin – Fresh rice vermicelli noodles.
• Rice noodles – Used in many Thai dishes like Pad Thai.

Vietnamese Noodles

Dried banh pho

Vietnam is well-known for its delicious noodle soups and dishes, especially Pho.

See also

• List of noodle dishes
• List of noodle restaurants
• List of instant noodle brands
• List of pasta
• Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum