Thai Glass Noodles in a Savory Sauce

By
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt is a cookbook author and culinary teacher who specializes in Thai cuisine.
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Updated on 01/14/23
Noodle dish
Melanie Acevedo/Photodisc/Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 2 to 3 servings

Glass (or "cellophane") noodles are thin and as transparent as the name suggests. Healthier than wheat noodles, glass noodles are made from green beans, broad beans, and peas, which makes them gluten-free and a source of iron, calcium, and fiber. They are opaque (white) until soaked in water. Look for them at your local Asian store sold in dried bundles/packages (check ingredients to be sure they are "glass" noodles - look for bean or pea flour). Made with my savory sauce, these noodles are truly irresistible! (Includes instructions for vegetarians.)

Ingredients

  • 7 to 8 ounces vermicelli noodles, Thai-style very thin, clear noodles made of bean/pea flour

  • 1 pepper red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced

  • 1 pepper green bell pepper, deseeded and sliced

  • 4 to 6 shiitake mushrooms

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, or 4 chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces, or 1 1/2 cups vegetarian wheat gluten "chicken" pieces or cubed firm tofu

For the Sauce:

  • 1 cup chicken stock, or vegetarian vegetable or faux chicken stock

  • 1 tablespoon bean sauce, ground, sold in a jar at Asian/Chinese food stores; gluten-free diets: buy a wheat-free bean sauce

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 piece galangal, thumb-sized, or ginger can be used an alternative

  • 1 cup coriander, fresh, including the stems, finely chopped

  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce, or wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free diets

  • 1 teaspoon dark ​soy sauce, or 1 extra tablespoon soy sauce or wheat-free soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce, or vegetarian oyster sauce or vegetarian stir-fry sauce

  • 1/2 cup water

Steps to Make It

  1. Soak noodles in a pot of cold or room-temperature water for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, or until soft enough to eat (some brands may take up to 1 hour). The noodles will absorb much of the water and expand - they will also magically turn from white to transparent. Drain and set aside. Tip: If the noodles won't stay immersed in the water (they are very difficult to bend/break when dry), weigh them down with a heavy bowl.

  2. While noodles are soaking, make the sauce. Place broth in a wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.

  3. Add all other sauce ingredients plus chicken, wheat gluten, or tofu, and mushrooms. Stir well. Turn heat down to medium. Cover and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked. (Note that wheat gluten is already cooked, so it will only require a few minutes to warm.).

  4. Add bell peppers and simmer for an additional 5 minutes, or until softened.

  5. Add the drained noodles, gently turning them in the wok/pan. Reduce heat to a minimum.

Tips

  • Stir-frying Tip: If the noodles remain too clumped together, use a pair of clean scissors to cut them into smaller, easier-to-manage lengths. You can cut them directly in the wok/pan, without removing or touching them with your hands (be careful not to scrape the bottom of the wok/pan).
  • Note that this dish can be served either "wet" or "dry". That is, you can serve the noodles immediately for a saucer dish (as soon as the noodles are covered in sauce). OR you can continue to gently turn the noodles over low heat until all the sauce has been absorbed by the noodles (they will then be dry and slightly sticky).
  • Do a final taste test for salt, adding more fish sauce or soy sauce (1/2 Tbsp. at a time) if not salty enough. If too salty, add a squeeze of lime juice until desired flavor is reached. Serve with a sprinkling of fresh coriander, and Thai chili sauce on the side, if desired.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
384 Calories
6g Fat
45g Carbs
38g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 3
Amount per serving
Calories 384
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 1970mg 86%
Total Carbohydrate 45g 16%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 165mg 826%
Calcium 175mg 13%
Iron 7mg 40%
Potassium 1228mg 26%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)