Vermicelli noodles are long, thin, and naturally gluten-free noodles made from rice flour and water. They are often combined with broth, vegetables, and meat to create a wide variety of noodle dishes such as Soto, Santhakai, Bihun Sup, and Lumpia. The world-famous Vietnamese Pho also uses vermicelli.
History of Vermicelli Noodles
Vermicelli noodles have their origin in Southern China during the Qin Dynasty over 2000 years ago.
The southern part of China had ideal conditions for growing rice, while the northern region subsisted mainly on wheat-based noodles. When northerners invaded the south, they learned how to make noodles from rice, thereby spreading the knowledge of rice cultivation throughout the country.
Appearance of Vermicelli Noodles
These noodles are long, thin, and round in shape, unlike the typical flat rice noodles. Rice vermicelli is sometimes confused with cellophane or glass noodles which are made from mung bean starch.
Flavor of Vermicelli Noodles
Vermicelli noodles, on their own, taste rather bland and chewy. Vermicelli can be fried or used in brothy soups and stews. Soy sauce, vegetables, and chicken are common accompaniments.
Culinary Benefits
Make a chicken stir fry with vermicelli rice noodles. Combine oyster sauce, chicken thighs, and your favorite veggies for a tasty and well-balanced meal.
Singapore noodles, also called fried Bee Hoon, uses a combination of dried shrimp, Chinese barbeque pork, and dried Chinese mushrooms to add a distinctive umami taste that has made the dish a well-loved street food. Don’t want to make your own barbecue pork? Swap them out for your favorite meat for your own take on Singapore noodles!
Tired of eating teriyaki with rice? Make a chicken teriyaki sauce with crispy noodles instead! Fry your cooked noodles in hot oil until crispy. Pour your chicken teriyaki over a bed of crisp noodles and garnish with chopped cilantro. Follow this delicious Chicken Teriyaki recipe to try it out for yourself.
Are you craving a satisfying crunch in your soup or salad? Fry some cut rice vermicelli in hot oil to add a delicious crisp to your lettuce wrap. Add a crunchy twist to this Japanese salad and enjoy!
Looking for other ways to enjoy vermicelli noodles? Make Pad Thai! It’s garlicky, zesty, and saucy all at the same time. Make your own sauce and some chopped and dry-roasted salted peanuts and fresh bean sprouts to the final dish for an authentic take on this popular take-out food.
Try out this delicious Thai Chicken Curry recipe if Thai cuisine is your choice!
Storage
Commercially sold noodles are dried and moisture-free, so they will easily last about three years at room temperature. Make sure to store your noodles in a clean environment; dampness is a harbinger of mold and can cause noodles to go bad.
Cooked or soaked vermicelli noodles will keep fresh in a refrigerated container for 2-4 days. Cooked noodles will last you 2-3 months in the freezer.
Feature Image: Flickr user wuestenigel ( CC BY 2.0 )
