Ever Wondered about the Different Types of Thai Noodles ?

[MarkBR]

38 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

This is the question you answered......when do noodles stop being noodles and become spaghetti , with this..............As soon as they are made from wheat............. I replied to that statement, that noodles are made from wheat, just like spaghetti, and also made from rice, like the OP said. Of course I read the OP's story, because I have had rice noodles many times since I moved here. I've also had Udon noodles made from wheat. Others made from buckwheat and vegetables. Noodles made from wheat are still noodles. Thai noodles are made from wheat, rice and mung bean.

I fear the Italians will hunt you down 🙂

[MarkBR]

On 8/13/2024 at 8:32 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Thai food is the greatest....

Or, possibly, the second greatest...

It's a toss-up.

 

(However....when it comes to noodles, Chinese noodles are, by far, way better than Thai noodles.)

 

You missed out Indian food, this is also one of the world's awesome cuisines.

[hotandsticky]

On 8/14/2024 at 9:41 AM, harryviking said:

Noodles are not food. Just useless carbs.

 

 

Not unlike beer, white bread, pizza dough, pasta, pastries, white flour, white rice, sweet desserts, and many breakfast cereals.

[CharlieH]

 

We've got a whole forum dedicated to Thai Food !

Check out the other great discussion threads........

 

Thai Food - Thailand News, Travel & Forum - ASEAN NOW

 

 

 

[Acharn]

On 8/14/2024 at 8:52 PM, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Is that what I know as kwitiow ?

I expect so. Unlike Chinese, which has an official method for writing the sounds of Chinese in Roman characters, Thailand has never had an accepted way to do it. It's catch as catch can.

[Acharn]

On 8/14/2024 at 8:20 PM, Acharn said:

You forgot Sen Mi, the really thin ones, almost hairlike. I hate them, myself, but they seem to be the default in most Gui Diaw. I always ask for Sen Lek.

Forgot to say there is no Thai dish called Pho. None. Never has been, never will be. Just not. Pho is some kind of Vietnamese food which I have never knowingly eaten. It may be very good, but the most widely available Thai dish, based on noodles, is Guei Diaw, a Chinese dish adopted by Thais in the 1940s to combat inflation.

[Acharn]

On 8/14/2024 at 8:20 PM, Acharn said:

You forgot Sen Mi, the really thin ones, almost hairlike. I hate them, myself, but they seem to be the default in most Gui Diaw. I always ask for Sen Lek.

Forgot to say there is no Thai dish called Pho. None. Never has been, never will be. Just not. Pho is some kind of Vietnamese food which I have never knowingly eaten. It may be very good, but the most widely available Thai dish, based on noodles, is Guei Diaw, a Chinese dish adopted by Thais in the 1940s to combat inflation.

[BusyB]

On 8/14/2024 at 4:41 AM, harryviking said:

Noodles are not food. Just useless carbs.

 

Before the Wall came down, Eastern Germany was as notorious as other eastern bloc countries for shortages.

 

Alongside the dishes listed in restaurant menus you'd find the term 'satiation side' (Sättigungsbeilage) listed. You didn't know what that would be - it depended on what was available on any given day: could be potatoes, noodles, rice, some kind of bloating carb or other, dumplings etc. It meant they didn't have to reprint the menu every day, but you would get some kind of substantial carb surprise to go with your meal such as it was.

[BusyB]

3 hours ago, Acharn said:

Forgot to say there is no Thai dish called Pho. None. Never has been, never will be. Just not. Pho is some kind of Vietnamese food which I have never knowingly eaten. It may be very good, but the most widely available Thai dish, based on noodles, is Guei Diaw, a Chinese dish adopted by Thais in the 1940s to combat inflation.

 

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup with meat and veg. Or a meat and veg soup with noodles. More delicate spicing and fragrance than many Thai dishes, which tend to be 'bolder'. 

[GammaGlobulin]

On 8/14/2024 at 9:10 AM, wombat said:

when do noodles stop being noodles and become spaghetti or vice versa?

 

When they are taken out of China.

 

[JeffersLos]

I eat noodles then feel hungry again 3 minutes later. They're useless. 

[chmeatloaf]

On 8/13/2024 at 10:48 AM, CharlieH said:

 

Thai noodles are known for their bold flavours and various textures. Available from street vendors to high-end restaurants, Thai noodles offer distinct flavours, providing different experiences. Explore the range of noodle types that make their dishes tasty.

Common types of Thai noodles

Sen yai – wide rice noodles

Image was from Messy Vegan Cook

Sen yai, known for their broad, flat form, are a Thai culinary classic. These noodles, made primarily of rice flour and water, are recognised for their soft but chewy texture. They are frequently used in stir-fried meals such as Pad See Ew, where its wide surface wonderfully absorbs sauces and compliments chunky items like chicken, pig, or shellfish.

Sen lek – thin rice noodles

Image was from Simply Suwanee

Sen lek noodles are thinner compared to sen yai noodles. Since it is thinner, it gives a delicate texture that is ideally suited for soups and lighter dishes. These fine noodles are frequently featured in the renowned Thai dish Pho, demonstrating their adaptability across various culinary applications. Their subtle firmness contributes a pleasing chewiness to every mouthful, enhancing the experience of noodle soups and salads.

Woon sen – glass noodles

Image was from Pups with Chopsticks

Woon sen, also known as glass noodles due to their transparent look when cooked, is made from mung bean starch. It has a gelatinous texture that is good for absorbing strong flavours. Woon Sen noodles can be found in Yam Woon Sen noodles with lime, chilli, and fresh herbs.

Ba mee – egg noodles

 

Image was from The High Heel Gourmet

Ba mee noodles have a distinctive yellow colour with a bouncy texture because of the wheat flour and egg. It has its dish called, Ba Mee Nam, a heated soup with chunks of roast pork, vegetables, and occasionally wonton dumplings. They are also stir-fried with a variety of meats and vegetables, demonstrating their versatility in Thai cooking.

Kanom jeen – fermented rice noodles

Image was from MOSAIC Lille

Kanom Jeen noodles are different from other Thai noodles because they are made with fermented rice, which gives them a somewhat acidic flavour. These thin, vermicelli-like noodles pair nicely with spicy curries like green curry or fish curry, absorbing the rich flavours while providing a refreshing balance. Their delicate texture and mild flavour make them an ideal basis for many classic Thai curry recipes.

How to Choose the Right Type of Noodle

Image was from Lonely Planet

Noodles for soups

For soup lovers, selecting the proper noodles is critical to obtaining the optimal broth consistency and flavour absorption. Thin rice noodles, such as sen lek, are great for light, transparent soups like Pho because of their delicate texture, which absorbs the liquid without becoming too soft. Thicker noodles, such as sen yai, are preferred for heartier dishes like boat noodles or Tom Yum soup. Their larger surface holds up well in rich, spicy broths, resulting in a pleasing chew with each spoonful.

Noodles for stir-fries

Stir-fries require noodles that can survive prolonged frying without losing texture. ba mee, an egg-based noodle, is an excellent choice for meals such as Pad Ki Mao (Drunken Noodles) due to its strong structure and capacity to absorb spices. Woon Sen, or glass noodles, have a distinct, somewhat translucent look and a delightful crunch when stir-fried, making them an excellent option for Pad Woon Sen.

Best noodles for salads

Noodles in salads should compliment the freshness and lightness of the other elements. Glass noodles, or woon sen, are ideal for salads like Yum Woon Sen. They are light, absorb dressing nicely, and complement the crisp veggies and sour sauces common to Thai salad meals. Rice vermicelli, also known as kanom jeen, can have a little chewier texture, making it a refreshing option for salads that require a firmer noodle type.

There are not only varied Thai noodle tastes but also different shapes, enhancing the pleasure of eating noodles. You can find noodle restaurants everywhere, either on the side of the road or in malls.

 

Explore more delicious Thai foods and experience the culture!

The writer has forgotten Sen Mee (Bi Hoon as we called it in Malaysia & Singapore.) There is also Giam Ee (Lou Shi Fun aka Rat Tail Noodles/ Silver Needle Noodles) and Sen Chan (for Pad Thai). What esle have we forgotten? Too many!

[IsaanExpat]

First night my wife and I met, I knew it was gonna work out for us....she asked me "want to try my favorite noodle stall?".....and the rest is History 😁