Rice Noodles vs Egg Noodles: The Differences, Explained | Thai Ginger (2024)

FAQs

Rice Noodles vs Egg Noodles: The Differences, Explained | Thai Ginger? ›

The most obvious difference between egg noodles and is the main ingredient of each. Egg noodles are usually made from eggs and wheat flour. Rice noodles are made using rice flour and water. As such, egg noodles are not suitable for those who are coeliac or gluten intolerant, as they contain wheat flour.

Compared to rice noodles, vermicelli, and rice stick noodles, Pad Thai noodles are broader and thicker, giving them a chewier texture. Pad Thai noodles are used explicitly in the popular Thai dish called Pad Thai, known for its unique blend of flavors and textures.

Unlike egg noodles, rice noodles are gluten-free and vegan. That's because they contain no wheat or animal products. They can be made using red, white, or brown rice. Rice noodles are lower in calories, fat, and protein than egg noodles.

Although pad Thai—perhaps the most iconic Thai dish of all—is traditionally made with rice noodles, in this inventive version it is made with fresh homemade pasta, which can easily be prepared at home using a Philips pasta maker.

There is a surprisingly diverse range of rice noodles available around the world, with a multitude of varieties that differ in thickness, shape and texture. The thickness of the rice noodles affects the texture and cooking time.

The nutritional profile of noodles differs depending on what is used to make the noodles. For example, one serving of rice noodles contains 44 grams of carbohydrates and 192 calories, whereas one serving of egg noodles contains 40 grams of carbohydrates and 221 calories.

Chinese egg noodles are a versatile substitute I often use for rice noodles. They bring a slightly richer flavor due to the egg content, complementing both broth-based and stir-fried dishes like Pad thai and Chow Mein.

The best noodles for pad Thai:

Rice noodles are traditional for pad Thai, but not all are created equal. You're looking for thin, flat rice noodles that aren't too thick, preferably made in Thailand—dried is more readily available, but fresh works too. Whichever you find, don't boil them!

Flat Rice Noodles (Pad Thai Noodles)

Prepare a bowl filled with room temperature water. Add the pad thai noodles to the bowl. Soak for 10 minutes. If the noodles are longer than the bowl, slowly bend them as they soften in the water so that they are eventually all submerged under the water.

Ba mee: Created from wheat flour, this common noodle is also called the egg noodle. Served dry or with soup stock, ba mee is one of Thailand's most common noodle dishes.

What is the most popular noodle in Thailand? ›

Pad Thai. As one of the most popular noodle dishes in Thailand, pad thai is a household name when it comes to authentic cuisine.

While they are both Thai dishes and are also both stir fries, pad woon sen uses glass noodles, while pad Thai uses rice noodles.

The same amount of calories can be found in 50 grams of noodles (dry, uncooked). So for the same amount (eg: 100 grams) noodles will contribute higher calories. But when you ask which one is healthier, then the noodle or rice that you usually consume is more or less the same.

Pad Thai is made with rice noodles, which are stir fried with eggs and chopped firm tofu, flavored with tamarind juice, fish sauce, dried shrimp, garlic, shallots, and sometimes red chili pepper and palm sugar, and served with lime wedges and often crushed roasted peanuts.

Rice noodles are low in fat and moderate in calories, making them a healthy option. Try pairing them with high fiber veggies and tasty sauces — though you may want to limit your use of high sodium add-ins like soy sauce.