Noodles are a safe and nutritious food that meets the requirements of various countries’ food regulations. Rice noodles are one of the most popular rice product after cooked rice grain. Rice noodles are more delicate in texture and flavor than wheat-based noodles such as pasta. Rice noodles calories are less than regular pasta calories; also, they are low in fat and gluten-free. Gluten can be found in wheat, barley, triticale, rye, and oats; among other grains, it is a type of protein.
A cup of rice noodles contains 192 calories. Rice noodles calories are also fewer than egg noodles, which have approximately 200 calories per cup serving. The difference is only eight calories, but it makes all the difference if you’re on a doctor-supervised low-calorie diet.
History of Noodles
Noodles have been consumed in many Asian countries for thousands of years. It is apparent from the available literature that noodles were famous during the Han Dynasty (about 220 years ago). The early 20th century brought the introduction of alkaline noodles to the city of Yokohama, Japan.
Later on, instant noodles became the food of choice throughout Asia and the world. Both China and Japan put many innovative resources into noodle processing that increased the market outside of Asia. Due to increased globalization, noodles went through substantial evolution and movement. Rice noodles are among the most common types of noodles.
Fresh vs Dried Rice noodles
Rice noodles are available fresh or dried in a variety of shapes and sizes. Fresh rice noodles are usually soft and sticky. They are made fresh on-site and only last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. While dried rice noodles are hard in texture and are just like regular pasta, which is available in the packaging in the market, dried rice noodles require a standard boiling method, which is used to boil other pasta. Dried rice noodles calories are usually higher than fresh rice noodles calories.
| Serving per 2 oz (57g) | |
| Dried Rice Noodles | 207 calories |
| Fresh Rice Noodles | 120 calories |
What type of rice is required for making rice noodles?
Rice grains have various quality characteristics, including their appearance, cooking and eating properties, and nutritional value. Rice flour is required to make rice noodles. Rice flour is made by milling rice kernels finely. You can use brown rice flour or white rice flour to make rice flour.Numerous noodle varieties are consumed in the Asia-Pacific region.
Each noodle is preferred and consumed differently in different cultures throughout Asia. As a result, it isn’t easy to discuss flour specifications or quality without first identifying the noodle type. Rice noodles calories are based on the nutritional value of different types of rice and the flour made from that rice.
| Nutritional Value |
| White Rice Protein 8.0% Fat 2.2% |
| Brown Rice Protein 8.16% Fat 0.07% |
Why not regular pasta?
While regular pasta has more nutrients, rice noodles are gluten-free, which is excellent for people with gluten intolerance; rice noodles do not contain gluten, which is better for those who are allergic to it or prefers a gluten-free diet in their daily routine. Rice noodles calories and regular pasta calories are almost identical if you compare.
But if you try to choose one on a health basis, things can become somewhat confusing. After all, both of them have a similar consistency. However, if you compare rice noodles with regular pasta, then rice noodles are usually fat-free, sugar-free, and vegan, making them safe carbohydrates to consume.
Other nutrition facts of Rice Noodles
Although rice noodles and regular pasta contain almost identical calories with a minor difference, rice noodles contain other nutrition values which are pretty different from regular pasta. Rice noodles calories in every 176g (1 cup) are 190.
| Nutrition Facts | Serving size 176g (1 cup) |
| Protein | 1.6g |
| Fat | 0.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 43g |
| Fiber | 1.8g |
| Calcium | 7.04mg |
| Iron | 0.5mg |
| Potassium | 7mg |
Making Process of Rice Noodles
The noodle-making process is the same for all types of noodles, regardless of their size, shape, or formulation. It requires rice flour, water, and salt to make dough. It entails dough mixing, dough sheeting, dough sheet compounding, sheet thickness reduction, and noodle strand formation. After cutting, the noodles can be processed in a variety of ways. After that, the noodle strands can be sold as raw noodles, dried, boiled, fried, frozen, steamed, or you can use a combination of these processes to create a wide variety of noodle types.
Different types of rice noodles
Vermicelli Noodles
Vermicelli rice noodles are usually thin and can be commonly found in any Asian food store. It is significantly more delicate and fragile than wheat noodle alternatives. Rice vermicelli comes in various shapes, thicknesses, and textures and is available fresh, frozen, or dried. One of the prevalent varieties of rice vermicelli noodles is Chinese Guilin, which comes from the southern city of Guilin. Rice vermicelli noodles are used in soups, salad, stir-fried, and they can also be deep-fried for giving crunchy garnish to any dish.
Flat Wide Noodles
Wide flat noodles are excellent for stir-frying but also work well in soup dishes. If they are sold in plastic bags, make sure they have not been refrigerated, as this will harden their texture and cause them to break while cooking. They do not require pre-cooking but benefit from a quick rinse in boiling water to ensure all strands are separated before adding them to a wok or soup pot.
What Compliments rice noodles the most?
Rice noodles are frequently served alongside other ingredients. These ingredients, along with cooking the noodles, all contribute to the final dish’s calorie count. Rice noodles are commonly eaten in soups, stir-fried, curries, or deep-fried; when deep-fried, the noodles puff up and become highly crispy.
. The most famous and typical dishes made from rice noodles in Asia are:
- Pho-Vietnam– It goes great with beef/chicken, broth, and some good round vermicelli rice. Some Vietnamese also add bean sprouts, basil, shallots, lime, etc.
- Pad Thai– Thailand- This dish includes flat wide rice noodles, egg, shrimps, radish, bean sprouts, Thai fish sauce, Thai chilies, and tamarind paste or water.
- Hakka noodles– China- It can be served cold as a noodle salad dressed with olive oil, vinegar, and salt or cooked in broth with tofu, prawns, or vegetables.
Who should avoid rice noodles?
All those who have diabetes or Pre-diabetic must avoid using rice noodles with regular pasta because rice noodles contain a high glycemic index, which is not appropriate for people with diabetes or obesity, and rice noodles calories and other pasta calories are almost identical.
Also, those on ketosis must avoid rice noodles as it is made up of flour, and all flours contain a lot of carbohydrates which is not suitable if you are on ketosis. However, a healthy amount of rice noodles cannot harm anyone unless you have any allergies.
Where can you get the best Rice noodles in the world?
The most frequently purchased dried rice noodles are made from white rice flour. Although, fresh ones are frequently available in Asian grocery stores. The best quality of rice noodles can be found and produced in Thailand, Vietnam, and China. However, other countries also make rice noodles.
Still, since these countries make one of the familiar and famous rice noodle dishes, they make the best quality rice noodles with highly improvised techniques and methods. There are also top suppliers and manufacturers of rice noodles in other parts of the world, such as the USA.
Conclusion
The demand for rice noodles has increased due to their healthy and beneficial effects because rice noodles’ calories are less than regular pasta and gluten-free. It alleviates allergic reactions and celiac disease in individuals who suffer from these conditions as a result of eating wheat-based products.
Rice noodles are prepared using three basic ingredients: flour, water, and salts. Rice noodles are one of the most famous and a2common types of noodles which are consumed all over the world, especially in Asia. It is easily available in different shapes and sizes.
The most common types of rice noodles are vermicelli rice noodles which are round and flat wide noodles. Rice noodles can be eaten fresh or dried; the most common and easily available in markets are dried rice noodles because fresh noodles cannot be stored for more than 3 to 4 days.
Rice noodles contain other nutritional values, which makes them healthy to consume. Rice noodles’ making process includes dough mixing, sheet forming, compounding, sheeting/reduction, steaming, and cutting.
You can eat rice noodles in soup, curries, and also deep-fried to get a crunchy texture in any dish. There are also some trendy rice noodles dishes, including Pho, Pad Thai, and Hakka noodles. Pho is a Vietnamese dish; Pad Thai is a dish from Thailand, and Hakka noodles is a Chinese dish.
Rice noodles dishes are very much popular in Asia; these dishes are prepared in other parts of the world, including the USA, with different variations. Also, rice noodles are very readily available in the local markets of Asia, and you can also get them from Amazon, Walmart, etc.
Also Read: Rice Calories: The Complete Nutritional Facts, Benefits, and Concerns