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Rice noodles turn to glue faster than any other noodle. The fix is to stop boiling them.
How to cook rice noodles
For most dried rice noodles, soak them in just boiled water off the heat for six to eight minutes until bendy but still firm, then drain and rinse under cold water. They finish cooking in the pan or the broth, so pulling them early is the whole trick.
Timings by noodle type
- Vermicelli, very thin. Soak in just boiled water for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pad Thai noodles, medium flat. Soak for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Ho fun, wide flat. Soak for 8 to 10 minutes, or use fresh.
- Fresh rice noodles. No soaking. Loosen under warm water and add straight to the pan.
Why rice noodles go sticky
Rice noodles release starch as they cook and keep cooking in their own heat after draining. Left in a colander they fuse into a block. Rinsing in cold water washes the starch off and stops the cooking, which is the step most recipes skip.
- Rinse under cold water immediately after draining
- Toss with a teaspoon of oil if they are waiting more than a minute
- Add them to the wok last, and toss rather than stir
- Do not boil them hard. Boiling breaks flat noodles apart
Using them in a stir fry
Undercook them by a minute more than you think. They will absorb sauce in the pan and soften further. Have everything else finished before the noodles go in, then toss for no more than a minute.
Where to buy rice noodles in the UK
Supermarkets stock dried vermicelli and pad Thai noodles in the world food aisle. Chinese and Vietnamese grocers carry the full range including fresh ho fun, which is worth seeking out and needs no soaking at all.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to soak rice noodles first?
For dried noodles, yes. Soaking in just boiled water gives you far more control than boiling and is much harder to overdo.
Can I soak them in cold water?
Yes. Cold soaking for about an hour gives the best texture of all, and it is the method many Thai cooks use. Hot water is the quick version.
Are rice noodles gluten free?
Usually yes, if the ingredients are rice flour and water. Some brands blend in wheat or cornflour, so check the packet.
Can I cook them ahead?
Yes. Soak, rinse and toss with oil, then keep them covered in the fridge for a day. Loosen under warm water before using.
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- Rice noodles. Soak in warm water rather than boil to stop them sticking.
