How to buy Asian noodles

[Kent Wang]

I want to buy Chinese low mein noodles and Japanese ramen and udon noodles. There are many different kinds at the Asian supermarket.

I prefer thicker types than stay al dente. I don't know if this is desirable by Asian standards, but I'm used to Italian pasta. I have heard that ramen connoisseurs prize al dente-ness and try to eat the noodles as fast as possible before they get soggy.

Should I buy the frozen or dried ones? Are the frozen ones actually fresh (not dried) and then frozen, or are they dried, cooked, and then frozen? I know the latter seems pretty silly but considering the variety of convenience foods available, I wouldn't be too surprised.

Are there any brands you would recommend?

[mbhank]

Check out www.AsianFoodGrocer.com They carry all kinds of noodles and are fun to talk to.

Regards,

Hank

[snowangel]

At my local Asian market, I've seen them put fresh ones into the freezer!

[nakji]

I prefer thicker types than stay al dente. I don't know if this is desirable by Asian standards, but I'm used to Italian pasta. I have heard that ramen connoisseurs prize al dente-ness and try to eat the noodles as fast as possible before they get soggy.

Yes, at finer ramen-ya, they ask you how you want your noodles done. If you like them tooth-y as I do, you can request "katame".

I think the frozen ones are fresh noodles, frozen instead of dried, as Susan has suggested. The best noodles are fresh-made, of course, but whether the frozen or dried ones are better probably depends on the quality of frozen ones you have access to. If they're made locally, then frozen, I would get the frozen ones. But if the noodles are frozen in a solid icy block that looks like it's been melted and frozen, I would avoid those. Common sense, I suppose, but there it is.