Perfecting your Pad Thai or simply searching for noodles that are naturally gluten-free? Rice noodles have such a mild flavour that they complement pretty much any Asian-inspired sauce or topping, from Vietnamese pho to spicy Szechuan dishes and of course, for spring rolls. Aside from being vegan and low in calories, rice noodles also provide fibre, zinc and iron.
If you're looking for a healthy way to get your carbs, rice and brown rice noodles are an essential item for stir-fries, soups and salads. Whether you fancy vermicelli, flat Thai sticks or thick, wide noodles with bite, we've put this guide together to help you find the best products available across Amazon, eBay and Waitrose. Get ready for some wholesome comfort food!
Let's begin with our buying guide which will be useful for beginners to Asian cuisine and noodle connoisseurs alike. In order to make the right decision when buying rice noodles online, it's worth taking the time to consider certain things to help you choose the best product for you.
The type of rice noodles you choose will depend on what kind of dish you are making and your personal taste preferences. Vermicelli noodles can be made from white or brown rice and work best in Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese recipes including stir-fries, soups, spring rolls and salads.
If you prefer medium or thick noodles, rice sticks are a tasty and authentic choice usually made in Thailand or Vietnam. Their texture and consistency are perfect for ramen or other types of brothy soups. They also soak up the flavours in braised beef dishes making for a satisfying and yummy dinner.
Other types to choose from include brown rice udon, Singapore rice noodles and those that are made by combining brown rice with other ingredients. Udon is a thick noodle used in Japanese cuisine to create tasty and filling comfort food, however, unlike other rice noodles, brown rice udon is often made with wheat flour.
Perfect when you're short on time, Singapore rice noodles can be bought pre-cooked in a delicious dressing of garlic, chilli and other aromatic spices, ready to go straight into the wok. There are also noodles made from a combination of brown rice and wakame or healthy grains if you fancy trying something a little different.
Preparation time can vary quite a bit between products, though this also depends on how you prepare the noodles. "Instant" vermicelli usually just need to be soaked in boiling water for 2-3 minutes then rinsed in cold water and drained, while fresh rice noodles that come pre-cooked can go straight into a wok to create a stir fry or directly into a soup.
Udon or rice sticks can take anywhere between 6-15 minutes to cook due to their texture and thickness, but the instructions on the packet are often taking into consideration boiling and then frying them too. Make sure to follow the directions so as not to overcook your rice noodles – this can happen quicker than you think!
When it comes to the nutritional information section, rice noodles won't be giving you any shockers. Low in fat, saturated fat and calories and naturally gluten-free and vegan, they're a healthy option for all dietary needs and a great choice if you're trying to lose weight.
Rice noodles also provide a good source of carbohydrates to fill you up. If you are looking for something to satisfy for longer, look for brown rice or whole-grain options which also provide healthy fibre.
However, like soba noodles, brown rice udon is often cut with wheat flour, making it unsuitable for a gluten-free diet. Noodle lovers may already be aware of this, but some products are labelled in a way that looks like they are just made from rice. Fresh marinated noodles may also include soy sauce or other ingredients containing gluten.
Now we've gone through the main things to think about when looking for rice noodles online, it's time to get to our recommendations. Featuring yummy offerings from Waitrose, Clearspring and Thai Taste – it's time to get those chopsticks out!
£2.49
Type of Noodles | Wheat and brown rice udon noodles |
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Preparation Time | 9 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 350 kcal |
Dietary Information | Vegan, kosher |
Pack of 3
£9.69
Type of Noodles | Brown rice and wakame noodles |
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Preparation Time | 5-6 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 360 kcal |
Dietary Information | Organic, gluten-free, vegan |
£1.40
Type of Noodles | Singapore rice noodles with a curry dressing |
---|---|
Preparation Time | Around 7 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 140 kcal |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan |
£1.55
Type of Noodles | Whole grain rice vermicelli |
---|---|
Preparation Time | 3-4 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 350 kcal |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan |
£1.49
Type of Noodles | Folded rice noodles |
---|---|
Preparation Time | 15 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 347 kcal |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan |
£1.95
Type of Noodles | 10 mm rice sticks |
---|---|
Preparation Time | 6-8 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 382 kcal |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan |
£1.49
Type of Noodles | Brown rice noodles |
---|---|
Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 359 kcal |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan |
£1.55
Type of Noodles | Rice vermicelli |
---|---|
Preparation Time | 3 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 358 kcal |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan |
£2.99
Type of Noodles | 1 mm Vietnamese rice noodles |
---|---|
Preparation Time | - |
Calories per 100 g | - |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan |
Pack of 6
£14.99
Type of Noodles | 5 mm rice sticks |
---|---|
Preparation Time | 8-10 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 353 kcal |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan |
Image | 1 ![]() Red Drago | 2 ![]() Bamboo Tree | 3 ![]() MAMA | 4 ![]() Thai Taste | 5 ![]() Kirin | 6 ![]() Thai Taste | 7 ![]() MAMA | 8 ![]() Waitrose | 9 ![]() King Soba | 10 ![]() Clearspring |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Rice Sticks | Vietnamese Rice Noodles | Rice Vermicelli Noodles | Folded Brown Rice Noodles | Thai Rice Stick Noodles | Folded Rice Noodles | Wholegrain Rice Vermicelli | Singapore Rice Noodles | Brown Rice and Wakame Noodles | Brown Rice Udon |
Features | The Best Authentic Rice Noodles Made in Thailand | Fabulous in Summer Rolls, Broths and Crisp Salads | Tasty Vermicelli That’s Ready to Enjoy in 3 Minutes | An Easy Nutritious Swap for Pad Thai and More | Super Wide and Ideal for Soaking up Robust Flavours | Highly Versatile and Naturally Gluten-Free | Good for Singapore Noodles, Soups and Asian Salads | Fresh, Fragrant Noodles Ready to Stir Fry | Organic, Vegan and Naturally Free From Gluten | Satisfying Wheat and Brown Rice Noodles |
Price | £14.99 | £2.99 | £1.55 | £1.49 | £1.95 | £1.49 | £1.55 | £1.40 | £9.69 | £2.49 |
Type of Noodles | 5 mm rice sticks | 1 mm Vietnamese rice noodles | Rice vermicelli | Brown rice noodles | 10 mm rice sticks | Folded rice noodles | Whole grain rice vermicelli | Singapore rice noodles with a curry dressing | Brown rice and wakame noodles | Wheat and brown rice udon noodles |
Preparation Time | 8-10 minutes | - | 3 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 6-8 minutes | 15 minutes | 3-4 minutes | Around 7 minutes | 5-6 minutes | 9 minutes |
Calories per 100 g | 353 kcal | - | 358 kcal | 359 kcal | 382 kcal | 347 kcal | 350 kcal | 140 kcal | 360 kcal | 350 kcal |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, vegan | Gluten-free, vegan | Gluten-free, vegan | Gluten-free, vegan | Gluten-free, vegan | Gluten-free, vegan | Gluten-free, vegan | Gluten-free, vegan | Organic, gluten-free, vegan | Vegan, kosher |
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Asia is a continent of many different cultures and cuisines and if you'd like to refine your expertise when it comes to Asian cooking, there are some key ingredients you'll need. Whether Japanese, Thai or Vietnamese food is your favourite, our related articles feature some essential products to kit out your cupboards.
Now that you've read our guide and recommendations, you shouldn't need to search any longer as all of our ten picks are top-quality, delicious and able to be used in a variety of dishes. Quick to prepare and good for you – it doesn't get much better than rice noodles.
Author: Melanie McPhail
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