๐ Noodle Vocab
Noodle names can describe the flour, thickness, texture, or even the dish they are traditionally served in. Wheat noodles can be springy and chewy, buckwheat noodles have an earthy flavor, rice noodles are mild and delicate, and starch-based noodles can turn translucent when cooked. Some names refer to the noodle itself, while others are tied to a particular dish or bowl. The names below are the ones youโll find on menus, in recipes, and on grocery shelves.
๐ฏ๐ต Japanese
๐ Ramen Noodles
springy Japanese wheat noodles
Example: Fresh ramen noodles have bite. Instant bricks are a shortcut with the same name.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles ramen
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ramen-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles ramen
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo ramen
๐ก Nuance: Alkaline wheat dough gives the spring. Udon is thicker and chewier. Soba is the buckwheat one.
springy Japanese wheat noodles
Example: Fresh ramen noodles have bite. Instant bricks are a shortcut with the same name.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos ramen๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles ramen
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ramen-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles ramen
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo ramen
๐ก Nuance: Alkaline wheat dough gives the spring. Udon is thicker and chewier. Soba is the buckwheat one.
๐ค Udon
thick, chewy Japanese wheat noodles
Example: Udon in a hot broth is a rope, not a thread.
๐ซ๐ท French: Udon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Udon
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Udon
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Udon
๐ก Nuance: Fat wheat. Somen is the thin chilled wheat cousin.
thick, chewy Japanese wheat noodles
Example: Udon in a hot broth is a rope, not a thread.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Udon๐ซ๐ท French: Udon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Udon
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Udon
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Udon
๐ก Nuance: Fat wheat. Somen is the thin chilled wheat cousin.
๐พ Soba
thin Japanese noodles, traditionally buckwheat
Example: Cold soba with dipping sauce. Not every brown noodle is soba.
๐ซ๐ท French: Soba
๐ฉ๐ช German: Soba
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Soba
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Soba
๐ก Nuance: Buckwheat flavor. Many bags mix wheat in. Naengmyeon can also use buckwheat and is Korean and usually colder still.
thin Japanese noodles, traditionally buckwheat
Example: Cold soba with dipping sauce. Not every brown noodle is soba.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Soba๐ซ๐ท French: Soba
๐ฉ๐ช German: Soba
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Soba
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Soba
๐ก Nuance: Buckwheat flavor. Many bags mix wheat in. Naengmyeon can also use buckwheat and is Korean and usually colder still.
โ๏ธ Somen
very thin Japanese wheat noodles, often served cold
Example: Iced somen in summer. Udon would be too heavy in that bowl.
๐ซ๐ท French: Somen
๐ฉ๐ช German: Somen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Somen
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Somen
๐ก Nuance: Thin wheat, not rice vermicelli. The chill is traditional, not required.
very thin Japanese wheat noodles, often served cold
Example: Iced somen in summer. Udon would be too heavy in that bowl.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Somen๐ซ๐ท French: Somen
๐ฉ๐ช German: Somen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Somen
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Somen
๐ก Nuance: Thin wheat, not rice vermicelli. The chill is traditional, not required.
๐ซง Shirataki Noodles
translucent konjac noodles - firm and chewy, almost no flavor of their own
Example: Shirataki come packed in water. Rinse them. They are not rice glass noodles.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles shirataki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Shirataki-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Shirataki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo shirataki
๐ก Nuance: Konjac yam. Glass and cellophane noodles are starch from beans or sweet potato.
translucent konjac noodles - firm and chewy, almost no flavor of their own
Example: Shirataki come packed in water. Rinse them. They are not rice glass noodles.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos shirataki๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles shirataki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Shirataki-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Shirataki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo shirataki
๐ก Nuance: Konjac yam. Glass and cellophane noodles are starch from beans or sweet potato.
๐จ๐ณ Chinese Wheat
๐ฅก Lo Mein Noodles
soft Chinese wheat noodles tossed with sauce
Example: Lo mein is tossed. Chow mein is the stir-fried, often crisper cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Lo mein
๐ฉ๐ช German: Lo Mein
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lo mein
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lo mein
๐ก Nuance: The name is the treatment more than a unique flour. Soft toss vs. fry.
soft Chinese wheat noodles tossed with sauce
Example: Lo mein is tossed. Chow mein is the stir-fried, often crisper cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Lo mein๐ซ๐ท French: Lo mein
๐ฉ๐ช German: Lo Mein
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lo mein
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lo mein
๐ก Nuance: The name is the treatment more than a unique flour. Soft toss vs. fry.
๐ฅ Chow Mein Noodles
Chinese wheat noodles for stir-fried dishes
Example: Chow mein in the wok. The noodles pick up sear.
๐ซ๐ท French: Chow mein
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chow Mein
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chow mein
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chow mein
๐ก Nuance: Fried noodles. Lo mein is saucier and softer. Hakka and mie goreng are other fried-wheat cousins.
Chinese wheat noodles for stir-fried dishes
Example: Chow mein in the wok. The noodles pick up sear.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chow mein๐ซ๐ท French: Chow mein
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chow Mein
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chow mein
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chow mein
๐ก Nuance: Fried noodles. Lo mein is saucier and softer. Hakka and mie goreng are other fried-wheat cousins.
๐ฅ Wonton Noodles
thin, springy Chinese egg noodles served with wontons
Example: Wonton noodle soup. The noodle is thin egg wheat. The wonton is the dumpling.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles wonton
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wonton-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles wonton
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo wonton
๐ก Nuance: A thin egg noodle. Not the dumpling itself.
thin, springy Chinese egg noodles served with wontons
Example: Wonton noodle soup. The noodle is thin egg wheat. The wonton is the dumpling.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos wonton๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles wonton
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wonton-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles wonton
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo wonton
๐ก Nuance: A thin egg noodle. Not the dumpling itself.
๐ถ๏ธ Dan Dan Noodles
Sichuan wheat noodles named for the spicy, savory sauce they wear
Example: Dan dan is the bowl. The noodle underneath is usually a thin wheat strand.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles dan dan
๐ฉ๐ช German: Dan-Dan-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Dan dan
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Dan dan
๐ก Nuance: Dish name first. Biang biang is the wide belt. This is the spicy sauce bowl.
Sichuan wheat noodles named for the spicy, savory sauce they wear
Example: Dan dan is the bowl. The noodle underneath is usually a thin wheat strand.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos dan dan๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles dan dan
๐ฉ๐ช German: Dan-Dan-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Dan dan
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Dan dan
๐ก Nuance: Dish name first. Biang biang is the wide belt. This is the spicy sauce bowl.
๐ Biang Biang Noodles
very wide hand-pulled Chinese wheat belts
Example: One biang biang noodle can look like a scarf in the bowl.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles biang biang
๐ฉ๐ช German: Biang-Biang-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Biang biang
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Biang biang
๐ก Nuance: Width is the point. Hand-pulled noodles is the method. Knife-cut is the sliced method.
very wide hand-pulled Chinese wheat belts
Example: One biang biang noodle can look like a scarf in the bowl.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos biang biang๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles biang biang
๐ฉ๐ช German: Biang-Biang-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Biang biang
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Biang biang
๐ก Nuance: Width is the point. Hand-pulled noodles is the method. Knife-cut is the sliced method.
๐ช Knife-Cut Noodles
irregular wheat noodles shaved off a block into boiling water
Example: Knife-cut noodles are thick on one edge and thin on the other.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles coupรฉes au couteau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Messer-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles al coltello
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo cortado ร faca
๐ก Nuance: Also called dao xiao mian. Shape from the knife, not from a pull.
irregular wheat noodles shaved off a block into boiling water
Example: Knife-cut noodles are thick on one edge and thin on the other.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos cortados a cuchillo๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles coupรฉes au couteau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Messer-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles al coltello
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo cortado ร faca
๐ก Nuance: Also called dao xiao mian. Shape from the knife, not from a pull.
๐ Hand-Pulled Noodles
wheat dough stretched and folded into long strands
Example: Hand-pulled lamian in a beef broth. Biang biang is the extra-wide version of the same craft.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles tirรฉes ร la main
๐ฉ๐ช German: Handgezogene Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles tirati a mano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo puxado ร mรฃo
๐ก Nuance: Method name. The strand can be thin or wide.
wheat dough stretched and folded into long strands
Example: Hand-pulled lamian in a beef broth. Biang biang is the extra-wide version of the same craft.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos estirados a mano๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles tirรฉes ร la main
๐ฉ๐ช German: Handgezogene Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles tirati a mano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo puxado ร mรฃo
๐ก Nuance: Method name. The strand can be thin or wide.
๐ฎ๐ณ Hakka Noodles
Indian-Chinese wheat noodles for stir-fries
Example: Hakka noodles in a Kolkata Chinese kitchen. Not the same as Hakka cuisine in Guangdong.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles hakka
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hakka-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Hakka noodles
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo hakka
๐ก Nuance: Indo-Chinese bag name. Closer to chow mein than to biang biang.
Indian-Chinese wheat noodles for stir-fries
Example: Hakka noodles in a Kolkata Chinese kitchen. Not the same as Hakka cuisine in Guangdong.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos hakka๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles hakka
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hakka-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Hakka noodles
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo hakka
๐ก Nuance: Indo-Chinese bag name. Closer to chow mein than to biang biang.
๐ Rice, Glass & Starch
๐งต Rice Vermicelli
thin rice noodles used across Southeast Asia
Example: Rice vermicelli in bun cha or spring rolls. Not wheat somen.
๐ซ๐ท French: Vermicelle de riz
๐ฉ๐ช German: Reisvermicelli
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Vermicelli di riso
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bifum / aletria de arroz
๐ก Nuance: Mee hoon is a common Southeast Asian name for the same thin rice thread.
thin rice noodles used across Southeast Asia
Example: Rice vermicelli in bun cha or spring rolls. Not wheat somen.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos de arroz / vermicelli de arroz๐ซ๐ท French: Vermicelle de riz
๐ฉ๐ช German: Reisvermicelli
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Vermicelli di riso
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bifum / aletria de arroz
๐ก Nuance: Mee hoon is a common Southeast Asian name for the same thin rice thread.
๐ฒ๐พ Mee Hoon
Southeast Asian name for thin rice vermicelli
Example: Mee hoon soup. The bag in another aisle may say rice vermicelli.
๐ซ๐ท French: Mee hoon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mee Hoon
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mee hoon
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mee hoon
๐ก Nuance: Regional label, same idea as rice vermicelli. Not Hokkien, which is thick yellow wheat-egg.
Southeast Asian name for thin rice vermicelli
Example: Mee hoon soup. The bag in another aisle may say rice vermicelli.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mee hoon๐ซ๐ท French: Mee hoon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mee Hoon
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mee hoon
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mee hoon
๐ก Nuance: Regional label, same idea as rice vermicelli. Not Hokkien, which is thick yellow wheat-egg.
๐ช Glass Noodles
translucent starch noodles - mung bean or sweet potato
Example: Glass noodles turn clear in the soup. Rice vermicelli stays white.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles de verre
๐ฉ๐ช German: Glasnudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles di vetro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo de vidro
๐ก Nuance: Cellophane noodles is another name for the same family. Japchae uses the sweet-potato version.
translucent starch noodles - mung bean or sweet potato
Example: Glass noodles turn clear in the soup. Rice vermicelli stays white.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos de cristal๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles de verre
๐ฉ๐ช German: Glasnudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles di vetro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo de vidro
๐ก Nuance: Cellophane noodles is another name for the same family. Japchae uses the sweet-potato version.
๐ Cellophane Noodles
another name for translucent starch noodles
Example: The bag said cellophane. The cooked noodles looked like glass.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles de cellophane
๐ฉ๐ช German: Zellophannudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles di cellophane
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo de celofane
๐ก Nuance: Same pantry item as glass noodles. Shirataki is the konjac lookalike.
another name for translucent starch noodles
Example: The bag said cellophane. The cooked noodles looked like glass.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos de celofรกn๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles de cellophane
๐ฉ๐ช German: Zellophannudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Noodles di cellophane
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Macarrรฃo de celofane
๐ก Nuance: Same pantry item as glass noodles. Shirataki is the konjac lookalike.
๐ฐ๐ท Japchae Noodles
Korean glass noodles from sweet potato starch
Example: Japchae is the stir-fried dish and the dangmyeon noodle inside it.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles japchae
๐ฉ๐ช German: Japchae-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Japchae
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Japchae
๐ก Nuance: Sweet-potato glass, chewier than mung-bean threads. Naengmyeon is the cold Korean buckwheat or starch noodle.
Korean glass noodles from sweet potato starch
Example: Japchae is the stir-fried dish and the dangmyeon noodle inside it.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos japchae๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles japchae
๐ฉ๐ช German: Japchae-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Japchae
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Japchae
๐ก Nuance: Sweet-potato glass, chewier than mung-bean threads. Naengmyeon is the cold Korean buckwheat or starch noodle.
๐ด Southeast Asian Bowls
๐ก Hokkien Noodles
thick yellow wheat-and-egg noodles in Southeast Asian cooking
Example: Hokkien mee is a thick yellow strand, not rice vermicelli.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles hokkien
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hokkien-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Hokkien
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Hokkien
๐ก Nuance: Fat, yellow, eggy. Mee goreng often uses a similar wheat noodle.
thick yellow wheat-and-egg noodles in Southeast Asian cooking
Example: Hokkien mee is a thick yellow strand, not rice vermicelli.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos hokkien๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles hokkien
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hokkien-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Hokkien
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Hokkien
๐ก Nuance: Fat, yellow, eggy. Mee goreng often uses a similar wheat noodle.
๐น๐ญ Khanom Jeen
Thai fermented rice noodles - soft and delicate
Example: Khanom jeen under a curry gravy. Pad Thai noodles are the flatter unfermented rice stick.
๐ซ๐ท French: Khanom jeen
๐ฉ๐ช German: Khanom Jeen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Khanom jeen
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Khanom jeen
๐ก Nuance: Fresh, fermented, soft. Not dried rice vermicelli from a pack.
Thai fermented rice noodles - soft and delicate
Example: Khanom jeen under a curry gravy. Pad Thai noodles are the flatter unfermented rice stick.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Khanom jeen๐ซ๐ท French: Khanom jeen
๐ฉ๐ช German: Khanom Jeen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Khanom jeen
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Khanom jeen
๐ก Nuance: Fresh, fermented, soft. Not dried rice vermicelli from a pack.
๐ฅฅ Khao Soi Noodles
egg noodles for northern Thai and Burmese khao soi
Example: Khao soi has boiled egg noodles in the soup and fried ones on top.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles khao soi
๐ฉ๐ช German: Khao-Soi-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Khao soi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Khao soi
๐ก Nuance: Dish plus egg noodle. Laksa is another soup whose noodle varies by city.
egg noodles for northern Thai and Burmese khao soi
Example: Khao soi has boiled egg noodles in the soup and fried ones on top.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos khao soi๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles khao soi
๐ฉ๐ช German: Khao-Soi-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Khao soi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Khao soi
๐ก Nuance: Dish plus egg noodle. Laksa is another soup whose noodle varies by city.
๐ฒ Laksa Noodles
noodles served in laksa - often rice, sometimes a mix
Example: Some laksa uses thick rice sticks. Some uses vermicelli. The soup is the constant.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles laksa
๐ฉ๐ช German: Laksa-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Laksa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Laksa
๐ก Nuance: Bowl name more than one exact strand. Check the stall.
noodles served in laksa - often rice, sometimes a mix
Example: Some laksa uses thick rice sticks. Some uses vermicelli. The soup is the constant.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos laksa๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles laksa
๐ฉ๐ช German: Laksa-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Laksa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Laksa
๐ก Nuance: Bowl name more than one exact strand. Check the stall.
๐ฅข Pad Thai Noodles
flat, thin rice noodles for pad Thai
Example: Soak pad Thai rice sticks. Do not swap in lo mein.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles pad thai
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pad-Thai-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pad thai
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pad thai
๐ก Nuance: Flat rice. Vermicelli is thinner and rounder. Khanom jeen is the soft fermented rice noodle.
flat, thin rice noodles for pad Thai
Example: Soak pad Thai rice sticks. Do not swap in lo mein.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos pad thai๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles pad thai
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pad-Thai-Nudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pad thai
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pad thai
๐ก Nuance: Flat rice. Vermicelli is thinner and rounder. Khanom jeen is the soft fermented rice noodle.
๐ฎ๐ฉ Mie Goreng Noodles
wheat noodles for Indonesian and Malaysian fried-noodle dishes
Example: Mie goreng is fried wheat. Nasi goreng is the fried-rice cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Mie goreng
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mie Goreng
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mie goreng
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mie goreng
๐ก Nuance: Dish plus yellow wheat noodle. Close to chow mein in method.
wheat noodles for Indonesian and Malaysian fried-noodle dishes
Example: Mie goreng is fried wheat. Nasi goreng is the fried-rice cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mie goreng๐ซ๐ท French: Mie goreng
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mie Goreng
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mie goreng
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mie goreng
๐ก Nuance: Dish plus yellow wheat noodle. Close to chow mein in method.
๐ง Naengmyeon Noodles
thin Korean noodles of buckwheat or starch, served cold
Example: Icy naengmyeon in summer. Soba is also buckwheat, but this bowl is Korean and colder.
๐ซ๐ท French: Naengmyeon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Naengmyeon
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Naengmyeon
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Naengmyeon
๐ก Nuance: Cold soup noodle. Chewy, sometimes gray-brown. Japchae is the warm glass-noodle stir-fry.
thin Korean noodles of buckwheat or starch, served cold
Example: Icy naengmyeon in summer. Soba is also buckwheat, but this bowl is Korean and colder.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Naengmyeon๐ซ๐ท French: Naengmyeon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Naengmyeon
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Naengmyeon
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Naengmyeon
๐ก Nuance: Cold soup noodle. Chewy, sometimes gray-brown. Japchae is the warm glass-noodle stir-fry.
๐ South Asian & European
๐ซ Idiyappam
South Indian and Sri Lankan rice-flour strands, pressed and steamed
Example: Idiyappam with coconut stew. It looks like a nest, not a soup noodle.
๐ซ๐ท French: Idiyappam
๐ฉ๐ช German: Idiyappam
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Idiyappam
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Idiyappam
๐ก Nuance: Also called string hoppers. Rice flour, not wheat seviyan.
South Indian and Sri Lankan rice-flour strands, pressed and steamed
Example: Idiyappam with coconut stew. It looks like a nest, not a soup noodle.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Idiyappam๐ซ๐ท French: Idiyappam
๐ฉ๐ช German: Idiyappam
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Idiyappam
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Idiyappam
๐ก Nuance: Also called string hoppers. Rice flour, not wheat seviyan.
๐ฎ Seviyan
thin Indian wheat (or other grain) noodles, often for dessert
Example: Seviyan kheer is a sweet pot. These are not pad Thai sticks.
๐ซ๐ท French: Seviyan
๐ฉ๐ช German: Seviyan
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Seviyan
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Seviyan
๐ก Nuance: Vermicelli of the subcontinent. Roasted and sweetened more often than stir-fried.
thin Indian wheat (or other grain) noodles, often for dessert
Example: Seviyan kheer is a sweet pot. These are not pad Thai sticks.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Seviyan / sev๐ซ๐ท French: Seviyan
๐ฉ๐ช German: Seviyan
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Seviyan
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Seviyan
๐ก Nuance: Vermicelli of the subcontinent. Roasted and sweetened more often than stir-fried.
๐ฅ Egg Noodles
wheat plus egg - richer and yellower than plain wheat
Example: Wide egg noodles under stew. The same idea appears in wonton noodles and khao soi.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles aux ลufs
๐ฉ๐ช German: Eiernudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tagliatelle allโuovo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Massa de ovo
๐ก Nuance: Ingredient label. Spaetzle and kluski live in this family.
wheat plus egg - richer and yellower than plain wheat
Example: Wide egg noodles under stew. The same idea appears in wonton noodles and khao soi.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fideos al huevo๐ซ๐ท French: Nouilles aux ลufs
๐ฉ๐ช German: Eiernudeln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tagliatelle allโuovo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Massa de ovo
๐ก Nuance: Ingredient label. Spaetzle and kluski live in this family.
๐ฉ๐ช Spaetzle
small soft German egg noodles, almost dumplings
Example: Spaetzle with butter and cheese. They drop from a grater, not a pasta cutter.
๐ซ๐ท French: Spรคtzle
๐ฉ๐ช German: Spรคtzle
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Spรคtzle
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Spรคtzle
๐ก Nuance: Soft nubs. Kluski is the broader Polish noodle-or-dumpling word.
small soft German egg noodles, almost dumplings
Example: Spaetzle with butter and cheese. They drop from a grater, not a pasta cutter.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Spรคtzle๐ซ๐ท French: Spรคtzle
๐ฉ๐ช German: Spรคtzle
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Spรคtzle
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Spรคtzle
๐ก Nuance: Soft nubs. Kluski is the broader Polish noodle-or-dumpling word.
๐ต๐ฑ Kluski Noodles
Polish egg-and-wheat noodles that change shape from kitchen to kitchen
Example: Kluski can be flat noodles or soft lumps. Read the recipe, not just the name.
๐ซ๐ท French: Kluski
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kluski
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Kluski
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Kluski
๐ก Nuance: Loose family name. Sometimes closer to spaetzle, sometimes to egg ribbons.
Polish egg-and-wheat noodles that change shape from kitchen to kitchen
Example: Kluski can be flat noodles or soft lumps. Read the recipe, not just the name.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Kluski๐ซ๐ท French: Kluski
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kluski
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Kluski
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Kluski
๐ก Nuance: Loose family name. Sometimes closer to spaetzle, sometimes to egg ribbons.
๐ง Useful Distinctions
๐ Ramen vs. ๐ค Udon vs. ๐พ Soba vs. โ๏ธ Somen
Ramen is springy wheat. Udon is thick wheat. Soba is buckwheat. Somen is thin wheat, often cold.
Ramen is springy wheat. Udon is thick wheat. Soba is buckwheat. Somen is thin wheat, often cold.
๐ฅก Lo mein vs. ๐ฅ Chow mein
Lo mein is tossed and soft. Chow mein is stir-fried and often crisper.
Lo mein is tossed and soft. Chow mein is stir-fried and often crisper.
๐ Biang biang vs. ๐ Hand-pulled vs. ๐ช Knife-cut
Hand-pulled is the method. Biang biang is the extra-wide result. Knife-cut is shaved, not stretched.
Hand-pulled is the method. Biang biang is the extra-wide result. Knife-cut is shaved, not stretched.
๐งต Rice vermicelli vs. ๐ฒ๐พ Mee hoon vs. ๐ฅข Pad Thai
Vermicelli and mee hoon are thin rice threads. Pad Thai noodles are flatter rice sticks.
Vermicelli and mee hoon are thin rice threads. Pad Thai noodles are flatter rice sticks.
๐ช Glass vs. ๐ Cellophane vs. ๐ฐ๐ท Japchae vs. ๐ซง Shirataki
Glass and cellophane are the same starch family. Japchae is sweet-potato glass. Shirataki is konjac.
Glass and cellophane are the same starch family. Japchae is sweet-potato glass. Shirataki is konjac.
๐ถ๏ธ Dan dan vs. ๐ฅฅ Khao soi vs. ๐ฒ Laksa
These names are bowls as much as noodles. The strand underneath can vary.
These names are bowls as much as noodles. The strand underneath can vary.
๐ฌ Everyday Noodle Phrases
๐ฅก Lo mein if you want it tossed. Chow mein if you want wok sear.
soft vs. fried
๐ซ๐ท Lo mein pour mรฉlanger. Chow mein pour le wok.
๐ฉ๐ช Lo Mein zum Mischen. Chow Mein fรผr den Wok.
๐ฎ๐น Lo mein se lo vuoi mescolato. Chow mein se vuoi la padella.
๐ต๐น Lo mein se quiser misturado. Chow mein se quiser o wok.
soft vs. fried
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Lo mein si lo quieres mezclado. Chow mein si quieres el wok.๐ซ๐ท Lo mein pour mรฉlanger. Chow mein pour le wok.
๐ฉ๐ช Lo Mein zum Mischen. Chow Mein fรผr den Wok.
๐ฎ๐น Lo mein se lo vuoi mescolato. Chow mein se vuoi la padella.
๐ต๐น Lo mein se quiser misturado. Chow mein se quiser o wok.
๐ก Those clear noodles are glass, not rice.
starch vs. rice vermicelli
๐ซ๐ท Ces nouilles transparentes sont de verre, pas de riz.
๐ฉ๐ช Die klaren Nudeln sind Glas, nicht Reis.
๐ฎ๐น Quei noodles trasparenti sono di vetro, non di riso.
๐ต๐น Esses fios transparentes sรฃo de vidro, nรฃo de arroz.
starch vs. rice vermicelli
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Esos fideos transparentes son de cristal, no de arroz.๐ซ๐ท Ces nouilles transparentes sont de verre, pas de riz.
๐ฉ๐ช Die klaren Nudeln sind Glas, nicht Reis.
๐ฎ๐น Quei noodles trasparenti sono di vetro, non di riso.
๐ต๐น Esses fios transparentes sรฃo de vidro, nรฃo de arroz.
๐พ Soba is buckwheat. Udon is the thick wheat one.
Japanese split
๐ซ๐ท Le soba est du sarrasin. Lโudon est le blรฉ รฉpais.
๐ฉ๐ช Soba ist Buchweizen. Udon ist der dicke Weizen.
๐ฎ๐น Il soba รจ grano saraceno. Lโudon รจ il grano grosso.
๐ต๐น Soba รฉ trigo-sarraceno. Udon รฉ o trigo grosso.
Japanese split
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Soba es trigo sarraceno. Udon es el de trigo grueso.๐ซ๐ท Le soba est du sarrasin. Lโudon est le blรฉ รฉpais.
๐ฉ๐ช Soba ist Buchweizen. Udon ist der dicke Weizen.
๐ฎ๐น Il soba รจ grano saraceno. Lโudon รจ il grano grosso.
๐ต๐น Soba รฉ trigo-sarraceno. Udon รฉ o trigo grosso.
๐ซง Shirataki is konjac. Glass is bean or sweet potato starch.
two clear noodles
๐ซ๐ท Le shirataki, cโest le konjac. Le verre, cโest lโamidon.
๐ฉ๐ช Shirataki ist Konjak. Glas ist Stรคrke.
๐ฎ๐น Lo shirataki รจ konjac. Il vetro รจ amido.
๐ต๐น Shirataki รฉ konjac. Vidro รฉ amido.
two clear noodles
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Shirataki es konjac. El de cristal es almidรณn de frijol o batata.๐ซ๐ท Le shirataki, cโest le konjac. Le verre, cโest lโamidon.
๐ฉ๐ช Shirataki ist Konjak. Glas ist Stรคrke.
๐ฎ๐น Lo shirataki รจ konjac. Il vetro รจ amido.
๐ต๐น Shirataki รฉ konjac. Vidro รฉ amido.
๐ Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Read the situation. Choose the more precise noodle word.
Read the situation. Choose the more precise noodle word.
Question 1 of 8
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Correct: 0
โ Questions: 0
๐ฏ Accuracy: 0%