Noodles may be the ultimate comfort food. They are adaptable, versatile, and delicious. Invented in China about 10,000 years ago, noodles enjoy worldwide popularity today.
Noodles come in a wide variety. Each offers its own taste and texture. From udon and soba to rice and egg noodles, there’s something for everyone.
Two popular Thai noodles are rice noodles and egg noodles. Both are staples of Thai cooking. The choice of rice noodles vs egg noodles isn’t an easy one to make.
Here’s more about both to help you decide which to try next.
Two Popular Thai Noodles
Since its introduction to the US in 1972, Thai food has rapidly become one of the most popular cuisines in America. The quintessential Thai dish is Phad Thai; a noodle stir fry served worldwide.
Traditional Phad Thai, like ours, is a combination of rice noodles stir-fried with egg, bean sprouts, onion, and fresh roasted ground peanuts in tamarind sauce. At Thai Ginger, we serve it with a fresh-cut lime.
Egg noodles are the noodle of choice in Ba Mee Hang, a delicious steamed noodle dish with garlic sauce.
What are egg noodles?
Egg noodles are long, thin noodles. As their name suggests, egg noodles contain eggs—a lot of eggs compared to other types of noodles. They are made with wheat flour, eggs, water, and salt.
Egg noodles are similar to Italian pasta, but not the same. Italian pasta is made with semolina, a coarse durum wheat flour. In contrast, egg noodles use finer milled wheat flour. You combine wheat flour, eggs, water, and salt to make egg noodles.
What are rice noodles?
Rice noodles contain mostly rice flour and water. Sometimes tapioca or cornstarch is added to improve the appearance and texture of the noodles.
Like egg noodles, rice noodles are usually long noodles. But they come in a variety of widths. Thai cooking uses thin rice noodles in many dishes. But wide noodles are used in rice noodle dishes like Thai Ginger’s Phad See Iew.
Nutritional Differences
Egg Noodles
Because egg noodles contain eggs, they have more protein than other noodles.
One cup of cooked egg noodles has about 221 calories, 3.3 grams of fat, 40.3 grams of carbohydrates, 1.9 grams of fiber, and 7.3 grams of protein.
Egg noodles have a low glycemic index score of 40, meaning they’re less likely to cause blood sugar levels to spike than foods with higher scores.
Rice Noodles
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. They also have more carbohydrates.
One cup of cooked rice noodles made with white rice has about 193 calories, 0.4 grams of fat, 43.8 grams of carbohydrates, 1.8 grams of fiber, and 1.6 grams of protein.
Choosing: Rice Noodles vs Egg Noodles
Noodles are important in Thai cuisine. There are many yummy rice noodle dishes. But there are also many tasty egg noodle Thai dishes.
The issue of rice noodles vs egg noodles is a matter of personal taste. And Thai Ginger can help you decide, we’re your Thai noodle experts! Try one or both at one of Thai Ginger’s locations today!
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FAQs
Texture: Fresh rice noodles offer a soft and slightly chewy texture, while egg noodles, especially when stir-fried, can be more robust and have a denser bite. Fresh noodles, irrespective of their type, always bring a unique texture to dishes. Taste: Egg noodles have a richer taste due to the presence of egg yolk.
What is the difference between Thai noodles and rice noodles? ›
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.
What is the difference between rice noodles and egg noodles? ›
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. Rice noodles, however, are safe to eat for those with gluten allergies.
Can you substitute rice noodles for egg noodles? ›
Yes! You may use rice noodles as an egg noodles alternative and vice versa. It all depends on your preference. You can also cook them together.
Are rice noodles lower carb than egg noodles? ›
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.
Do egg noodles spike blood sugar? ›
Egg noodles have a moderate glycemic index, which is a measure used to estimate the extent to which specific foods increase your blood sugar levels (8). They typically have a higher glycemic index than pasta, although this can vary depending on the specific type of pasta and cooking method used.
Do rice noodles spike blood sugar? ›
Rice noodles, made from refined rice flour, have a high glycemic index. On average, a 1-cup serving of cooked rice noodles contains approximately 40-45 grams of carbohydrates. This means they are rapidly digested and can cause a significant increase in blood sugar levels.
What tastes better, Pad Thai or pad see ew? ›
Pad See Ew often boasts broccoli and greens and even a scrambled egg. Taste – Pad Thai is all about contrasting texture and a taste that straddles the line between sweet and savory. Pad See Ew is deeper and darker in taste and has a chewier texture thanks to the wider style of noodles.
How are egg noodles different? ›
Egg noodles are a type of noodle made from eggs and flour. Other types of noodles, like store bought pasta commonly used in spaghetti, use water and flour. Making dough for egg noodles involves mixing eggs and flour until they're like clay.
Is lo mein rice or egg noodles? ›
Despite their differences, chow mein and lo mein dishes are both made with Chinese egg noodles, which are wheat flour noodles with egg added. While lo mein requires fresh egg noodles, chow mein can be made with either fresh or dried egg noodles.
Pad Thai is a Thai noodle stir fry with a sweet-savoury-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It's made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp.
Which Thai noodle is healthiest? ›
Best: Pad Thai
It's made from rice noodles sauteed with spices, peanuts, egg, and bean sprouts. Get it with shrimp, chicken, or tofu for lean protein, and extra veggies for fiber and vitamins.
Is Pad Thai rice noodles or glass noodles? ›
While they are both Thai dishes and are also both stir fries, pad woon sen uses glass noodles, while pad Thai uses rice noodles.
What type of noodle is best for Pad Thai? ›
Pad Thai is a Thai noodle stir fry with a sweet-savoury-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It's made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp.
Are Pad Thai rice noodles healthy? ›
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.
Does Pad Thai taste like egg? ›
Pad Thai is a popular Thai dish that typically consists of stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, peanuts, lime, and various seasonings. The taste of Pad Thai is a harmonious combination of sweet, sour, salty, and sometimes spicy flavors.
What is egg noodle in Thai? ›
The Thai translation for “egg noodles” is บะหมี่.
